The Inspiring Leader

There are no short cuts to becoming an inspirational leader. Most inspirational leaders have paid a price, made a sacrifice, done something that cost them personally without regard to their self-interest, or passed through a rite of passage. Generally, the price paid is steep and not easily duplicated. It may be a personal test such dealing with an illness or loss, or it can involve an organizational test. For example, lead a company through a particularly challenging situation where the possibility of failure was quite high and coming out the other side successful.

One of the keys to becoming inspirational is to act and embrace challenging positions where you will be tested. Understand the risks and the price to be paid, but still demonstrate the courage and willingness to do what is right. The “safe”  leader is not an inspirational one.

Inspirational leaders often have a contrarian flavor to them. They demonstrate behavior that is counter to those around them. When others are retreating, they go forward. They demonstrate calm when others are emotional. They are at their best when things are challenging.

Inspirational leaders fall into two classes. The first type are inspiring, they elicit admiration or some other strong positive emotional response from others due to personal characteristics they possess or experiences they have had. The second type makes people feel inspired. The key is the degree of empathy they convey to those around them. They emphasize their connection and similarities to others rather than their differences.

Inspirational leaders deliver double-edged messages. On one hand the message is often comforting and supporting, while the other message is a challenge to rise to the occasion. Regardless of the specifics of the message, it needs to register and resonate with those around the leader because it is relevant, it is a reach or stretch, and it is an important thing to pursue. Most inspirational leaders convey their key messages in story form which makes them compelling to follow.

Inspirational leaders ask for something from those around them. They ask you to make a commitment, sacrifice, or take a course of action. These leaders don’t ask for anything that they wouldn’t give themselves but the cost of the request is not trivial. They make you put skin in the game.

A key to developing your own inspirational side is to develop your own inspiring message or story to communicate.

• The rational appeal: “it will be hard but let’s take the hill because it represents a strategic advantage”
• The emotional appeal: “let’s take the hill together, it won’t be easy but I am confident we can do it together”
• The spiritual appeal: “it will be very difficult but let’s take the hill to make the world a better place for everyone”.

While the inspirational aspect of leadership can be difficult to cultivate, but is well worth it. You can make a real difference and have a profound impact on others.

Comments

[Liisa Pursiheimo-Marcks]

Thank you for this post. Inspirational leadership is one of the most elusive skills for leaders. It has something to do with that contrarian flare: asking people to sacrifice with them. Just think of Winston Churchill promising "Blood, sweat and tears", and people followed.