The
ability to inspire is one of the leadership skills that separates great leaders
from average ones. Inspirational leaders also directly benefit the business:
Harvard Business School research among nearly 50,000 leaders showed: “the ability to inspire creates the highest
levels of employee engagement and commitment.” Further research conducted by Bain found “inspired employees are twice as productive as
satisfied employees.” As a result, companies experience 21% greater profitability, a 41% reduction in absenteeism and 59% less
staff turnover.
Inspirational
leaders display certain characteristics and behaviours that help them motivate
and empower their teams. Here are 10 things inspirational leaders do:
1. Set a clear vision: Inspirational leaders have a clear vision
of what they want to achieve, and they communicate this vision to their team in
a compelling way. They inspire their team to work towards a common goal. When
you have a clear vision for your team or organisation, it’s much easier to make decisions that align
with that vision. And when you can communicate your vision to others in a way
that inspires them, you’ll be able to rally them behind your cause.
2. Lead by example: You know what they say; you need to be able
to walk the walk and talk the talk. Inspirational leaders lead by example and
set a high standard for their team. Too often, employees feel like there is
a ‘do what I say, not what I do’ culture in their workplace. Good leaders
practice what they preach and model the behaviour they expect from their team.
3. Build relationships: Inspirational leaders build strong
relationships with their team members. They show a genuine interest in their
team’s wellbeing, and they create a culture of trust, respect and collaboration. These ingredients
are essential to an engaged and thriving team. Inspirational leaders know the
strengths and weaknesses of their team. This allows them to find ways to
encourage unity through peer-to-peer mentorship, team projects or cross
training. They foster an environment where individuals can come together to
share their experiences, knowledge, opinion and ideas.
4. Encourage creativity: Inspirational leaders encourage
creativity and innovation within their team. They value new ideas and encourage
their team to take calculated risks to achieve their goals.
5. Provide feedback: Inspirational leaders offer support and
guidance to help their team members grow and develop. Criticism is necessary
for growth, but leaders must consider the most effective way to deliver it. The
control and command style’ of management vs coaching method of leading when
offering feedback. For example, “I noticed that you didn’t meet your sales goals this month. I’d like to see you take more initiative in
your sales calls” vs “I noticed you didn’t meet your sales goals this month.
What was the reason for that, what would help you find a solution?”
6. Inspire confidence: Inspirational leaders inspire
confidence in their team. They have a positive attitude and encourage their
team to believe in themselves and their abilities.
7. Communicate effectively: Inspirational leaders are open and
transparent in their communication, and they listen actively to their team’s
concerns and feedback. And they are authentic. Who they are at work is who they
are at home, in the community and out with their friends. They don’t wear different masks and treat everyone
with respect and dignity.
8. Empower their team: Inspirational leaders empower their team
members to take ownership of their work. They give them the autonomy to make
decisions and take risks, which helps them grow and develop. This includes
being approachable and inclusive, cultivating an environment that makes their
employees feel comfortable coming and talking to them. Approachable and
inclusive leaders listen more than they speak, value diversity, welcome
mistakes, reward originality and appreciate the unique differences of others.
9. Demonstrate empathy and create a sense of
belonging:
Inspirational leaders demonstrate empathy towards their team members. They
understand their team’s needs and concerns, and they take steps to address
them. Moreover people want to feel like they belong. As a successful leader, it
means creating a sense of community within your team and ensuring that everyone
feels like they’re a valuable part of the group.
10.Continuously improve: Inspirational leaders are committed to
continuous improvement. They seek feedback from their team and actively work to
improve their leadership skills and behaviour. They understand the value in continued growth and investing in their development.
Are you committed to becoming an inspirational leader? We offer leadership coaching to take your performance from good to great.
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