Evaluate leaders on their ability to inspire. If I surveyed your team, would they say you inspire them?
Any fool can suck the life out of people.
Successful leaders aspire to inspire.
*Bob Chapman, co-author of, “Everybody Matters,” asked me, “Dan, don’t you think leadership is about inspiration?”
Demotivational leaders:
- Walk around with frowns.
- Neglect purpose while emphasizing results.
- Express doubt and distrust.
- Talk more than listen.
- Criticize more than affirm. Demotivational leaders fear celebration.
- Cling to power and authority.
- Treat people like tools. Demotivational leaders use people.
- Show disrespect. 78% of people who experience disrespect at work are less committed to their organization.
- Use isolation to enhance status.
- Believe everything centers on them.
It’s easy to drain energy; successful leaders ignite and fuel it.
The anatomy of inspiration:
Bob Chapman inspired me.
Bob’s jubilant enthusiasm for Truly Human Leadership made me feel like I’d been to church. When I told him I was waiting for the offering plate, he basically said that I was the offering.
I notice four components to inspiration.
#1. Passion is contagious. Find your mission! Even the Blues Brothers were on a mission from God.
I told Bob, during our conversation, that he needed to calm down. He blurted an expletive and said, Don’t tell me to slow down. I’m too old to slow down.
#2. See greatness in others. You can’t impose inspiration. It comes from within.
It’s impossible to find inspiration in our weaknesses. Say, “You’re great at …,” if you want to inspire.
#3. Focus people’s strengths on meaningful vision. Ask questions that challenge people to use their greatness to make a difference. “What are you going to do about that?”
Don’t tell, ask.
#4. Talk about the importance of the vision with others in mind.
Choose inspiration over motivation.
Listen to Bob inspire me (3:45):
What do leaders do to demotivate? Inspire?
How might you step toward being an inspirational leader today?
*Bob is Chairman and CEO of Barry-Wehmiller, a combination of nearly 70 acquired companies valued at approximately $2 billion with 9,000 employees.
Pre-order: Everybody Matters. (MUST READING!)
Book website: www.everybodymattersbook.com
Twitter: @barrywehmiller