Category Archives: Inspire

EVERYDAY LEADERS: INSPIRE


“Leadership is not about a title or a designation. It’s about impact, influence, and inspiration. Impact involves getting results, influence is about spreading the passion you have for your work, and you have to inspire team-mates and customers.” – Robin S. Sharma

This year I am focusing on everyday leaders. Not those who hold a formal position of authority, but those of us who, through our behaviors, have the ability to influence and inspire those around us just by being us. This is the fourth installment of articles that focus on one specific behavior that can make a huge difference in our ability to impact the lives of others.

This month I want to talk about inspiration. What does inspiration have to do with being an everyday leader? Everyday leaders serve to inspire others. They share their passion, their vision for the future, and they set an inspirational example for others to follow. So, what does inspiration look like in everyday leadership?

Share your passion:

When you are passionate about the work you do; your vision of the future; and your dedication to your values, you have a level of energy that is contagious. As an everyday leader, you can share your passion with others. When they see the energy it provides you, it just might inspire them to find their own passion.

Something bigger:

We all want to feel that we are an important part of something that is bigger than ourselves. When, as an everyday leader, you help others see the big picture; the meaning behind the work; and the value that their contribution brings, you inspire a strong attitude of teamwork. This teamwork builds relationships, trust, and loyalty that benefits every member individually as well as the team as a whole.

Higher standards:

When you set high standards for yourself, you set a wonderful example for those who are watching you. There is nothing more inspirational than seeing someone commit to their values whole-heartedly. Let those around you see your light and your energy as a beacon that inspires them to reach further than they ever dreamt possible.

Everyday leaders inspire others by providing a view of the future, an energy level, and a positive example that lifts those around them. They share their passion, their belief in working toward something bigger than themselves, and they live as an example of dedication to values through the higher standards they set. Through sharing their inspiration, everyday leaders make an impact on the lives of those around them.

How can you start being an inspiration to others today?

 

© 2018 Liz Stincelli

 

I am passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. I am the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where I focus on helping organizations change attitudes, change communication dynamics, improve collaboration and problem-solving, engage employees, and strengthen organizational culture. I hold a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about me by visiting my website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with me on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact me by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.

Go Beyond Leadership: Teach and Inspire

teach“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupery

By Elizabeth Stincelli, DM

 

No one wants to work, day in and day out, carrying out meaningless tasks that feed the passion and vision of someone else. People want to feel engaged in work that is meaningful to them, where they know they are adding value. When you focus on the task of leadership, you often alienate your employees. As a leader, you have a unique opportunity to step beyond leadership and become a teacher. When you serve your employees in a teaching role, you inspire and engage them. So, how can you step up your leadership to teach and inspire?

Offer challenge

Talented employees want to be challenged and engaged. They don’t want all the answers and every solution provided for them. They want the opportunity to identify problems, tackle issues, and make decisions related to their work for themselves. When you offer challenges to your employees, not only do you show that you trust them but, you make their work more exciting; when their work is more exciting they become more engaged; and, when they are engaged they are eager to learn new skills and gain new knowledge.

Provide meaning

Employees need to find meaning in their work. They need to know that their contribution is making a difference. This cannot be your meaning; work must be meaningful to employees on an individual basis. They need to see the big picture and understand the important role they play in that big picture. When employees feel that their work is meaningful, motivation switches from external to internal. Meaningful work provides inspiration, and inspiration motivates employees to put more effort into their performance. High performing employees are always looking for ways to develop and to learn which improves themselves, the team, and the organization.

Support growth

Employees want opportunities to grow. When you serve in the role of a teacher you invest your time and resources into helping others become the best they can be. Growth requires exposure to new experiences, continual training, opportunities to use new knowledge and skills, and the leeway to fail and learn from that failure. The more employees grow, the greater their potential for future growth and the greater their contribution to the organization.

Share vision

At the end of the day, successful leaders are the ones who effectively lay out their vision and then get employees to buy into that vision heart and soul. When you serve employees as a teacher and a mentor, you inspire them to make your vision their own. With a shared vision, employees become more dedicated, teams become more committed, and the organization thrives.

Teach and Inspire

Effective leadership goes beyond dictating and directing employees and tasks. It requires stepping beyond the traditional role of the transactional leader to that of a teacher. When you become a teacher and mentor who offers challenge, provides meaning, supports growth, and shares vision you inspire your employees. And, inspired employees will take pride in their work, they will respect the goals of the organization, and they will give 110% in pursuit of those goals.

 

 

© 2016 Elizabeth Stincelli

 

Liz Stincelli is passionate about recognizing and inspiring the leader in each of us. She is the Founder of Stincelli Advisors where she focuses on helping organizations engage employees and improve organizational culture. Liz holds a Doctor of Management degree with an emphasis on organizational leadership.

Learn more about Liz by visiting her website, stincelliadvisors.com and connect with her on Twitter @infinitestin, Google+, and LinkedIn. You can contact her by email at stincelliadvisors@gmail.com.