It’s a fact that today’s leader is often required to wear many hats while delivering on all the expectations their team have, including; being a business visionary, a clear communicator, being the route to their next promotion, a development guru, confidante and the list goes on.
In today’s workplace, a modern leader is expected to be inspirational too.
Not always the easiest of traits to cultivate and yet vital when it’s a well-documented fact that up to 70% of our employees are disengaged according to Forbes.
Therefore, how does today’s leader embrace ‘being inspirational’. In this week’s post, I share some ideas from observing inspiring leaders I have worked with, trained and coached over the last decade.
The good news is that so few leaders are considered inspiring by their team that even a few simple ‘tweaks’ will make a huge difference and impact for your team.
Decide To Be Inspirational
This might sound a little trite but every change starts with a decision. Inspirational leaders are made not born, which might surprise you. The Insights Discovery programme we deliver looks at workstyles and behaviour.
Do not assume that being identified as having a particular ‘colour’ trait means you will struggle to be inspirational; it does not.
Any leader can be inspirational if they decide to be so.
Have Culture At Your Core
Though hopefully your hiring manager will have carried out a culture match it is worth pointing out that a connection to your company ethos and the way you inspire will be crucial.
If you are working on a groundbreaking innovation project consistently stopping innovation or being over cautious is unlikely to inspire your team.
Talk About Your Vision And Goals
As Seth Godin, the famous business growth author states in his bestseller Tribes-We Need You To Lead Us, most employees are desperate to be led. They want to follow a committed leader that has a vision that might be both stretching and inspiring at the same time.
Communicating this with passion is a sure fire way of inspiring a team into action.
Be A Positive Phoebe Rather Than A Moaning Megan
I am sure you will be well versed in the saying that like attracts like. Therefore, being positive and upbeat will encourage other members of your team. I am sure many of us at one time or another has had a negative leader or have been surrounded by moaning team members; unpleasant isn’t it?
In one of our programmes, we ask participants to describe the qualities of inspiring and great managers they have encountered. Guess what comes out top….? Yes, having a positive demeanour.
The good news is that we can choose our moods too.
Ask Questions Listen And Act
A recent seminar I attended discussed the fascinating topic of what human beings want and value. No, it is not the latest App or holiday abroad.
It is to be heard and to be listened to.
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Imagine being a leader that talks about a compelling vision and then ask questions of their team?
Congratulations you have suddenly elevated yourself to the top 20% of leaders when it comes to your inspirational qualities.
Talk About Impact Not Only Success
Human beings are success seeking creatures according to Maxwell Maltz the American Psychologist. They also want to have meaning in their lives too. One suggestion we make to our clients here at Zestfor is that when they review an individual’s performance, they relate the ‘results’ to not only the deliverables they have provided but also what that means for the organisation and the clients they serve.
Now that is inspirational leadership at its core.
Give Positive And Developmental Feedback
In some recent posts I have written we have discussed in depth the value of delivering feedback to your team. Though this might surprise you, people still value feedback. The issue is that the feedback ‘sandwich’ is still used and the bread on either side is getting incredibly thin!
A typical ‘complaint’ I hear from attendees at the training we run is that managers rarely give positive feedback and encouragement and this is common at all levels of the organisation.
It is hard for individuals to be inspired when the conversations they have with line managers centre around what hasn’t happened rather than what has and how the employee could take their skills to an even higher level.
What Next?
Time for a personal audit; how inspiring are you? Has anyone on your team ever given you the feedback that you enable them to feel energised and inspired?
Hint: Inspiring leaders get this feedback all the time. If this has not happened to you yet maybe it’s time to take some action.
Until next time,
Julia[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]
