On a Scale of 1 to 10, How Inspiring Are You? Okay, You Can Lead. But Can You Inspire? Take This Test and Find Out.
There are ten things you need to lead your organization and re-motivate your workforce out of the current recession.
Alaina Love, co author of The Purpose Linked Organization and the writer of the BusinessWeek article, refers to the many stories of how individual leaders cut costs in a down economy. "Their efforts have frequently included slashing jobs and overhead to improve the bottom line. What we hear too little about is the mammoth undertaking of remotivating the workforce left behind, one grappling with pain and uncertainty and often understaffed to accomplish the organization's goals. The ability to manage well amid these challenging circumstances distinguishes the average business head from the truly inspirational leader."
It should go without saying that inspirational leaders understand their business and its metrics for success as well, or if not better, than anyone else on the team. But they do one thing particularly well: They give their employees roles consistent with their unique skills, core values, and primary passions. They focus on tapping the right people for each job and help others determine where they can be their best. And finally, they create that opportunity inside their organization.
Love argues that many corporate executives haven't earned the "inspirational." label. Instead, they fall on a continuum somewhere between cynical and inspirational. The following Inspiration Continuum lists 10 characteristic signs of an inspirational leader. These are the very traits and behaviors that will prove critical in the months ahead as organizations navigate through the recession and seek to motivate a pared-down and anxious workforce.
Take a moment to rate your own leadership over the past year on a scale of 1 to 10 (with 10 being the best) for each of the following characteristics.- Authentic rather than phony. The words, actions, and beliefs of inspirational leaders are consistent. These leaders are not phony or pretending to be someone they're not.
- Reliable rather than erratic. Employees know they can count on inspirational leaders to guide the organization to clearly defined goals on a well-thought-out course. They do not confuse an already struggling workforce with erratic behavior and constantly shifting priorities.
- Anchored rather than disconnected. These leaders are well positioned in the flow of the business and the organization's culture. They are clued in to contemporary trends and issues rather than disconnected from current realities.
- Optimistic rather than pessimistic. Inspirational leaders demonstrate a worldview of possibility and abundance. They are not unaware of the challenges and difficulties the organization may be facing, but they choose instead to focus on both how and why the organization will be successful.
- Self-aware rather than unconscious. They understand their strengths and passions as well as their vulnerabilities and blind spots, and they work diligently to leverage the former and minimize the latter.
- Driven by purpose and passion rather than power and fear. Inspirational leaders understand the tremendous power of a well-articulated purpose and a passionate workforce that embraces it. They get results not through wielding power and inculcating fear but rather by creating a vision in which others can become engaged.
- Inclusive rather than divisive. These leaders value the input of others and seek out opinions from a widely diverse base. They recognize that divisiveness and exclusion do not lead to quality results or strengthen teamwork.
- Focused on others rather than self-focused. Inspirational leaders focus first on creating a positive environment for others and leaving a valued business legacy. They focus secondarily on their own needs. They will make tough choices that benefit the business over the long term rather than trade the future for a short-term gain.
- Respectful rather than manipulative. As the economic dust begins to settle and organizations reinvent themselves, inspirational leaders recognize that the business environment is dynamic and may require even more changes that affect jobs. They appreciate the importance of treating employees at all levels with respect and insist that any implemented programs or processes are consistent with this core value.
- Able to foster other leaders rather than demanding followers. Inspirational leaders spend a significant chunk of time identifying and grooming leaders throughout the organization. They are fully aware that the future of the business is directly related to developing individuals who are even better leaders than themselves and recognize that a business dependent on any one leader for its success puts itself in a vulnerable and tenuous position.
If you scored at 85 or above, you are practicing inspirational leadership and are currently, or will soon be, a management star. For even greater validation, ask members of your team to evaluate you using the Inspiration Continuum.
The most important goal of an inspirational leader is to provide your people with the license to thrive, boost the performance of your units and work collaboratively with others.
If you're not happy with your score on the Inspiration Continuum, why not evaluate your overall leadership style and plan - right now - for a stronger and more inspiring performance? You, your employees, your business, and maybe even our economy could benefit.
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If you would you like to comment about this article or have ideas about future articles, please email me at les@execsearchintl.com.
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