Discover the source of inspiration to uncover four magical traits.
Whether in the boardroom or the battlefield, for a leader, it all boils down to inspiring people to achieve ambitions that exceed their perceived capabilities.
Like the famous American author, Maya Angelo says, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
The process of inspiration involves the internal turmoil of those seeking inspiration and the actions of the leader who leads by example.
“A winter message from the river: Never surrender! Life can try to stop you, but somehow find a way to flow!” ― Mehmet Murat Ildan (Contemporary Turkish playwright, novelist, and thinker)
A river that flows freely, eroding some mountains and going around others, and simply experiencing difficulty in bringing us water never once thinks of quitting. What makes it keep going? Perhaps, it’s the dream of reaching an ocean one day.
Being like the river requires the same indomitable spirit. This is only possible if the inner self is ignited through inspiration. A leader must discover a steady source of inspiration.
When a leader is inspired, they are able to uncover four inherent magical traits – love, trust, care, and compassion. These factors bestow the ability to subtly but effectively influence the human mind to go above and beyond. I have seen this when people feel themselves to be unconditionally loved and trusted, and are given enough space and freedom. It empowers them to solve problems, no matter how easy or complex they are.
It is your approach, your attitude, and your actions that inspire your team.
So, here are four principles that can help your team achieve any laurels.
- Honesty is the best policy Integrity is the most important trait of a leader. Honest behavior attracts people. Honesty in your work, a disciplined approach to the tasks in hand, and the ability to maintain confidentiality helps build trust more easily. Mahatma Gandhi was able to create a powerful force of change because he followed what he preached.
- Inculcate Courage in your Team Passing on the baton to your team whenever possible and trusting their instincts is essential to build courage. In the movie 300, the feat to contain Xerxes’ army was possible due to King Leonidas I’s ability to push his men beyond their limit by instilling courage and confidence.
- Be a Good Listener When you pay heed to what is being said, you automatically connect to the speaker, and your power to get your message across also increases. Nelson Mandela, the face of the anti-apartheid movement, always listened to his followers sympathetically, and had marvelous convincing power to light the path of those suffering.
- Stand your Ground It is easy to let life and stress lead to doubting our abilities, and shaking our inner strength. But if you want to inspire people around you, learn to stand your ground. This shows that even the worst of circumstances can be overcome with positive ideas, tenacity, and a never-say-die attitude. The Wright brothers were ridiculed for their adventurous idea to invent the airplane. Despite the odds, they were convinced and left no stone unturned to gives us the first airplane flight on December 17, 1903.
Share your Influences
When you have something in common with your team, it automatically creates a great association. To blend well, share your experiences and stories, like the books that made a huge impact on you, the sources of inspiration that guide your most important decisions, and the practices that you follow to maintain a happy, healthy, and positive outlook.
Source: https://vocal.media/motivation/inspire-others-by-doing-what-inspires-you
