If you are in the process of defining our leadership style, this is the post for you. Here, we will discuss the characteristics and examples of inspired leadership.
Inspired leadership
Inspired leadership is focused on motivating and encouraging the team to move forward. The inspirational leader is set on increasing the potential capacity of the people to achieve the set objective. The fundamental objective is to be self-aware and generate awareness among the team.
Who are inspirational people?
Inspirational people bring about an ever-lasting contribution in the minds of the people. Through their achievements, dedication and work, they create an impression among people; inspiring and motivating them to go ahead in their future growth. Their values are an example for others in performing their work through positivity, zeal and energy.
Inspirational leaders of today strive to bring harmony and trust among employees. They possess great empathy for others and try to extract the best out of them; thus instilling opportunities for enhancing their potential. Inspired leadership is focused on uplifting others to usher in a sense of responsibility in them.
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Who are inspirational leaders?
Inspirational leaders possess the courage to face the odds and overcome the challenges with zeal and positivity. Their motive is to create a difference in the world through their actions and values. They listen to the concerns and stories of people, trying to aid them in moving them forward through motivations and inspirations.
The way of communication in inspirational leadership is filled with empathy and consideration. They show compassion and care to people for achieving positive results. The growth strategies devised by them are innovative and unique. They are focused on their intentions and objectives.
Characteristics of an inspired leader
We have understood the concept of inspirational leadership. Now let us try to understand the characteristics of an inspired leader, which are essential and what makes someone inspirational. In the subsequent sections, you will learn about the different traits of a motivational leader and how they inspire people.
1. Inspiring people by radiating authenticity
One of the prominent characteristics of inspired leadership is to radiate authenticity. To be courageous and maintain dignity by stating unique ideas and thought leadership define motivational leaders. They help people to understand the intricacies of being different. A way to instil a sense of responsibility among people.
2. Encouraging unity among inspirational teams
Encouraging unity among inspirational teams is one of the key characteristics of inspired leadership. The team is encouraged to work in a collaborative mode to share their experiences, innovations and ideas. The employees gain confidence in their skills, capabilities and abilities for future opportunities or growth.
3. Admirable leaders with skilled communication abilities
Admirable leaders or inspiration leaders must possess strong communication abilities to build strength and honesty among the people. They try to foster strength, unity and bonding among the people through their oratory and written communication skills. They work closely with the team to assist them in reaching their goals.
4. Being approaching is an inspiring style of working
An inspiring style of working is to be approachable and accessible through motivational leadership. The team must be able to share their issues and problems with the inspirational leader. This will help to overcome risks and challenges in achieving the deadlines and objectives.
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5. Inspirational persons embrace risks
Embracing risks and mitigating the same through innovations and creations are some of the key characteristics of inspired leadership. Challenges will come in any program but overcoming with intelligence and intellect is guided by an inspirational leader. Every problem has a solution, it’s our inherent strength to tackle them with ease.
Pros and cons of inspirational leadership
Here are the pros and cons of inspirational leadership.
Pros
- Inspirational leaders can quickly analyze the market and company’s position and quickly visualize the situation for improvement
- Reduces turnover with employees being more involved in the organization with leadership encouragement
- Inspirational leadership can accept and adopt the change and bring in further innovations and creativity
- They are the leaders that inspire to pursue values and ethics with grace
- With skilful communication, inspiring employees to be positive in achieving results
- Grants freedom to employees to perform tasks with trust and confidence
Cons
- The focus on tasks is less as employees need sometimes guidance for their activities
- Employees may experience burnout by focusing strictly on the goals, visions and deadlines
- Since inspiring leaders take risks, it may turn out to be disruptive
- Demands a continuous feedback loop to assess the progress and continuation with the same dedication and focus
Also read: Inclusive leadership | How to inculcate inclusive leadership in your organization?
Inspire leadership examples
inspired leadership examples will help to understand how to inspire people, how to be an inspiring leader and how to inspire someone. You can be acquainted with the concept of inspirational leadership and inspirational leader definition.
1. Immense resistance of an inspirational leader
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States, taught people to be self-sufficient and determined. He was persistent in his thoughts and proclaimed the vision for the future. Braving all the odds of immense resistance, he emerged victorious in his attempts as an inspirational leader; thus ended slavery in the US.
2. Courage is a part of inspiring leadership
Sandra Day O’Connor, the first woman justice on the US Supreme Court, is a smart and intelligent leader. She served as a powerful source for handling charges which are not justified and was a deterrent in providing justice against all the odds and challenges. Thus courage is a part of inspiring leadership.
3. Creative innovation for team inspiration
Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, taught the concept of team inspiration. She developed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and UNICEF for the betterment of humanitarian rights. The capability of finding out innovations and moulding them into action was her strength.
4. Strong determination in an inspirational person
Rosa Parks, an active member of the civil rights movement, was strong in her determination and will power. She is an inspirational person and stood up front against unfair laws and practices. Her life is an example of how to stand firm even while pursuing your goals and objectives.
Also read: Team Building | What is team building and why is it important for companies?
How to inspire others and become a leader?
The great quality of inspirational leadership is to drive people in attaining success and achieving the objectives and goals. Let us try to understand what are the different techniques or best practices to be adopted on how to inspire others and become a leader.
1. Most inspiring people have passion
Most inspiring people have passion for their work. Inspiring leaders of today are focused on the goals to be attained. They motivate others to pursue their growth with passion and dedication. Great leaders inspire greatness in others to go ahead in their achievements and aspirations.
2. Leadership inspiration is in listening
Leadership inspiration depends mostly on listening to the employees and being empathetic to them. Understanding their problems and inspiring others to succeed are great traits of inspirational leadership. Resolving the problems of the team and help them to attain success are the things that inspire people.
3. Inspiring leader possess trust and integrity
If you want to know how to be an inspirational leader and how do you inspire someone, then you must possess integrity and generate a feeling of trust. Your team must be confident in working with you, trust you and follow you while pursuing growth in career or completing their assignments.
Also read: Trust Remote Teams | 10 best ways to build trust in remote teams
Famous inspirational leaders
Here are some of the famous inspirational leaders whose activities and work in life are motivating. The inspirational leadership videos of these personalities must be checked for more details
- Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of India, who inspired millions through his non-violent civil disobedience movement
- Winston Churchill, one of the greatest leaders and former Prime Minister of Britain, whose leadership skills have been an iconic example
- Nelson Mandela, the former President of South Africa, motivated and inspired people for equality
- Albert Einstein, the greatest scientist of the 20th century, was a focused and dedicated person
- Abraham Lincoln, statesman and former President of the US, focusing on unity, liberty and democracy
Inspirational business leaders
Inspirational business leaders lead the employees in driving through the vision of the company. Here are some of the top business leaders whose inspirational motivation aids in creating a difference.
- Mary Barra, the former chairman and CEO of General Motors, believed in demonstrating ownership
- Tim Cook, the CEO of Apple, is one of the inspiring leaders today
- Sheryl Sandberg, the COO of Facebook, is an example of inspirational leadership
- Jack Ma, co-founder and former executive chairman of Alibaba group, person with a mindset of encouraging leadership
- Reshma Saujani, top businesswoman, politician and lawyer in the US, is an iconic inspirational leader
Also read: Charismatic leadership | How to become a charismatic leader [with examples]
Most inspiring personalities of all time
The most inspiring personalities of all time who inspire groups of people are:
- Malala Yousafzai, a contemporary activist, who campaigned for girls’ education
- Anne Frank, inspiring generations through her writings
- Bill Gates, the founder of Microsoft, was focused and dedicated in his vision
- Oprah Winfrey, a successful entrepreneur, who never looked back pursuing her ambitions
- Sanna Marin, the youngest prime minister in the world, stood for equality.
Kuntala is a versatile writer with a focus on diverse areas around work, productivity, collaboration at work, hiring, management, HR, and training. Her background of past experience in technology and consulting helps in molding razor-sharp insights into the research and user-focused content she creates. Professionally she is an IT consultant in a sales role and also a writer of short stories and poems, travel blogger, and fashion influencer.
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