Wanted: Inspirational Leaders

Wanted: Inspirational Leaders

Employees hunger for meaning. You don't need to be a CEO or department head to choose to

Jerry S. Wilson

Leadership Article from BusinessWeek

When was the last time you were truly inspired by a leader? Now more than ever, employees are starving for a sense of feeling connected to a higher purpose than just meeting this month's sales and profit figures. An inspirational leader can really make the difference in improving the confidence of people, who will in turn enhance the organization's performance.

During these rocky times you can truly differentiate your brand of leadership by choosing to be a leader who brings out the best in your people. This is the perfect time to bring more personal meaning to your team's work and inspire your department to shine, despite difficult business conditions. This effort doesn't cost your company money and will certainly lead to better long-term results. So how can you become an inspirational leader?

First, realize that inspirational leadership is a fundamental shift in your state of mind. This is not a cheerleading exercise but an effort to activate the inner passion of your people. Everyone has something within them that serves as a personal motivation for their own level of success and satisfaction. Leaders who can tap into that source of energy can unleash the full potential of individuals and teams. People want to feel like they are part of a movement, rather than merely cogs in a wheel. Whether they are in accounting, information systems, human resources, sales, or operations, people who understand the holistic goal of the organization can quickly see how their work is connected to the ultimate outcome. Leaders who can establish this type of emotional connection to goals are invaluable to the organization.

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How do leaders in your workplace exude passion and inspiration?