ABCs for Managers Who Lead – I is for Inspire
“Inspiring!” This is one of the most common description we hear of good or great leaders. However, this can be an intimidating word for many of us seeking to become better leaders. Often we think of “being inspiring” as something great leaders are born with – it’s just natural to them. Even though it’s true that some people are born with a basic ability, chances are that they also worked to strengthen it.
It is also true that any one of us can learn to apply certain behaviors that others perceive as inspiring. Name and reflect on leaders who you find inspiring. What people in different cultures view as inspiring behaviors can vary from one culture to another, but here are some possibilities:
- Share a compelling vision. Often inspiring leaders have strong beliefs. Consider Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.’s belief in non-violent resistance to repressive authorities, Nelson Mandela’s commitment to forgiveness and redemption in a society, or Barak Obama’s vision of hope delivered to the American people at a time of economic despair. These great leaders not only have (had) these visions and commitments, they were big, exciting and tapped into a great need in their society. In addition, these leaders share(d) their visions with others in such a way that spread that inspiration and energized others to follow them.
- Demonstrate integrity. Inspiring leaders are true to their words and their values. They not only share their visions, but they also take actions to move toward their visions. Their actions are purposeful and are in line with their values. Often these values are universally recognized as being positive: honesty, respect for others and self, kindness, humility, enthusiasm, and dedication to their tasks as well as their vision.
- Promote the personal and professional development of others. Whether it is a child in the family, a peer in a work setting, or members of a team working for her/him, an inspiring leader provides opportunities and encouragement to them to grow and develop their capabilities – technical and personal. They do this by providing opportunities to learn, by coaching them with inquiry (not telling them what to do, but guiding them through a process of learning and discovering the answers to their own questions), and giving positive feedback generously. This requires the leader to be aware of the people around them and their contributions and the leader must be confident and not afraid that others will take his/her job. Instead, she/he is increasing their loyalty. Finally, this inspiring leader must listen to what other people say and be vulnerable enough to accept good suggestions and admit his/her mistakes, when called for.
- Act as a role model. A good leader also inspires loyalty by not asking her/his employees to do anything she/he wouldn’t do (e.g. work late or over weekends, take on difficult tasks, learn new and better ways of doing their jobs, and being open to changes). A friend who is an Anglican priest from Kenya recently told me that he washed the church floors with the cleaning person. In this way, he set an example of humility and served as a role model not only to the cleaner, but also to the entire congregation. He was also demonstrating a key principle of servant-leadership.
“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” -Robert K. Greenleaf
In your culture, what actions characterize an inspirational leader? What actions would you like to take to become one? What will you do first?
Responses