When you have felt enthusiastic, encouraged, energized, motivated, and engaged at work, you had an inspiring leader. You were certain that what you did mattered and that you were making a difference. What makes an inspirational leader? What are the critical traits of inspiring leaders?
First of all, to be an inspiring leader, you have to care about how people feel. And yet, some leaders don’t. Not caring about people’s feelings is a problem because emotion inspires people to action, and emotions are born from feelings.
Three Ways People Feel About Work
People move between these feelings, so it is essential to have regular pulse checks. In doing so, you can adjust how you are leading to keep people feeling good about the work they are doing.
1. Satisfied. When people have the tools and freedom to perform and are recognized and compensated fairly, they feel happy.
2. Engaged. When people feel a part of a team, can grow and are making a difference. They are doing something they believe is valuable, so they feel engaged.
3. Inspired. People who feel satisfied, engaged and inspired draw deep and lasting meaning from the work they do. As a result, they perform with purpose and passion. Having inspired people results in lower turnover, higher job satisfaction, more productivity, and increased loyalty.
According to Gallup, 87 percent of employees are disengaged. To close that gap, we need more inspirational leaders. These are the four primary areas leaders need to focus on to be inspiring. Improve the “do this” and reduce the “not that” in the areas below to be an inspiring leader.
Emotional Self-Awareness Inspires People
People who understand their own emotions and their effects on performance are emotionally self-aware. They know what they are feeling and why, and consequently, how it helps or hurts what they are trying to do.
Do This
Increase emotional self-awareness to gain a sense of your strengths and limitations. Furthermore, you will gain a realistic understanding of your self-confidence. Get clear on your values and develop a sense of purpose, then act by following them. Don’t make decisions when in a really good mood, or bad one. Finally, identify your triggers.
Not That
Have a low or absent emotional self-awareness. These leaders bully, are stubborn, or arrogant. They block people they don’t like and play favorites. They don’t listen, and even more, when confronted about their behavior, they deny, blame others, or get angry.
Inspiring Leaders Set the Right Tone
A leader who is consistent and intentional in setting the tone won’t have to push people along. Instead, people will feel they are a part of something bigger so they will be internally motivated. The leader’s presence and essence, who they are is what will inspire people the most.
Do This
Follow through on commitments, be unselfish, think of others. Above all, show gratitude, recognition, and appreciation. These things will inspire people.
Not That
Over promise and under deliver. Disrespectful of people’s, time, work-life balance, or scolding people in front of their peers. Rarely saying “thank you,” or praising people’s efforts. These are things uninspiring leaders do.
Inspirational Leaders Connect with People
Trust is the foundation for inspiration because trust provides a sense of safety. When the team feels safe, they open up, take appropriate risks, and expose vulnerabilities.
Do This
Demonstrate humility and empathy. Thinking about and caring genuinely for people inspires them. Additionally, listen intently to people and sincerely engage in their lives. Doing more of these things will help you build connections, earn trust, and be an inspiring leader.
Not That
Being prideful or not caring for others. Not listening or being disengaged in peoples lives. Doing these things will demotivate people because they demonstrate you don’t care. These things result in being an uninspiring leader.
Leading the Team
Inspirational leaders know they can’t just walk into the room and say, “Hey, I’m the leader. Follow me.” Instead, they set the strategy and vision. They help people navigate that vision and empower them to come up with the “how.”
Do This
Be focused, paint a vision, and empower people. Leaders who are focused on their purpose and obsessed with their mission are inspiring because they are out to do something incredible. Above all, inspiring leaders empower their people. They do this by coaching and developing people so they can comfortably delegate and give autonomy.
Not That
Being all over the place, lacking a vision and not trusting people to do the right thing is uninspiring. Leaders who do these things create confusion, inconsistency, and insecurity.
Inspiration is the goal of exceptional leadership. When a leader is inspiring, the team becomes fueled by passion and purpose. Carrots and sticks aren’t needed to get high performance. People will have a deep and lasting meaning for their work. As a result, you reduce turnover, increase engagement, and gain lasting loyalty.
