by @Manisha Rewani
Positivity
When times get tough, an inspirational leader is there to provide the team with optimism. Such leaders see the positive side to every problem and consider mistakes an opportunity to learn. Inspirational leadership means imparting this positivity on your team and staying committed in the face of any difficulty.
Courage or Fearlessness
Although they may sound similar, courage and fearlessness are actually two different qualities. Courage refers to pushing aside fear to tackle a problem, whereas fearlessness means not being afraid to begin with. Both of these are characteristics of an inspirational person because they are infectious. They show that it is possible to face challenges head on and come out stronger.
Integrity
Employees need to be able to trust that their business leaders are being honest with them. The only way this is possible is if leaders are also honest with customers and everyone else. At times, this will mean delivering hard truths — but, ultimately, it’s always the best course of action.
However, honesty is just one element of integrity: you also need to be consistent. Messages from influential leaders are clear and never change.
Humility
Everyone needs support to achieve their goals. Inspirational leaders know that their teams are just as important to them as they are to their teams. Rather than seeing themselves in a position of power, inspirational leaders are grateful for the opportunity to work with others and to benefit from a wide range of skills — many of which they do not possess. Humility in leaders serves as a reminder that everyone has something unique to bring to the table. It helps employees realize that they need to appreciate all of their coworkers.
Actions Over Words
Anyone can talk about achieving world-changing goals. Few people actually make any progress. Influential leaders are always more focused on action than words. Every time they make a promise, they follow through with the necessary action. Often, this means committing to doing better for a customer or for the company as a whole. There are few things more inspiring than seeing leaders deliver on their promises.
Gratitude
When employees are carrying out the same tasks day after day or they contribute a small part to a larger product, it’s easy for the individual’s efforts to become diminished. Inspirational leaders never let anyone go forgotten. They acknowledge even small successes, show appreciation, and give personalized feedback. As a result, the team develops a stronger bond and employees are more likely to stay at the company.
Active Listening
There’s a misconception that leaders are there to give instructions. On many occasions, it is actually far more important to listen than to speak. Inspirational leaders make sure everyone is aware that they are open to hearing suggestions, questions, and feedback. As a result, everyone on the team feels that they matter.
Respect and Inclusion
A key aspect of inspirational leadership is respect. It is impossible to be a good leader if you treat some people better than others or show favoritism. Besides, you need to give respect if you are to gain respect. Inspirational leaders even go one step further. They understand that all their team members are fighting their own battles and may need support even when it’s unclear why. They also know that the company is much more likely to see success if everyone on the team is given the chance to shine.
Selflessness
Top leaders are not driven by personal achievements. They take action because they believe it’s the right thing to do. Rather than delegating tasks to be able to go home sooner, they stick with the work until the end. Often, they pick up the work no one else wants to do. Selflessness matters because it allows leaders to focus on the professional and personal growth of their team members. Inspirational leaders do everything in their power to help subordinates grow in their careers and become great leaders themselves.
Communication Skills
Communication is everything. Poor communication leads to mistakes — followed by frustrations when work needs to be redone. Influential leaders take the time to ensure their communication is clear and that everyone has understood. They neither over-communicate nor under-communication.
Focus
No one finds it easy to avoid distractions 100 percent of the time. However, when a person in a leadership position is unable to fully commit, it’s difficult for the team to feel motivated. It’s for this very reason that few things are more inspiring than unerring focus.
Accountability
Inspirational leaders are willing to hold themselves accountable for mistakes, even when they are not directly to blame. They recognize that, since they are responsible for the oversight of the team, they are accountable to some extent. They never allow their pride to interfere nor do they ever use a subordinate as a scapegoat.
Empathy
Many of the above characteristics of an inspirational person come down to empathy. Without empathy, it is impossible to lead a team, as only with empathy can you understand what motivates others. Inspirational leaders are aware that each individual is driven by something different and faces unique roadblocks. They use this awareness to push those they lead toward greatness.
Manisha Rewani [MBA]
Manager Mktg
AirCrews Aviation Pvt. Ltd
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