Being an Inspiration
What does inspiration have to do with the way you run your business on a daily basis and the profits (or losses) you measure every month? If your business relies on the quality of what people do and their attention to detail, then their inspiration is very important to your bottom line. However, if your business operates in a highly competitive environment (as most do) where quality and attention to detail are a given, and you rely on your people to consistently 'break new ground' with product innovation, service levels or finding new customers to grow your profits, then their inspiration is the life-blood of your strategy's execution and your business's future.
In addition to creating and conveying your vision to your organisation, your inspiration is what provides the motivating environment that keeps your leaders and organisation focused on your strategic vision and on the performance deliverables you require of them. Your inspiration is the tangible effect you have on your organisation that enables them to take on your vision in a personal way thereby wanting what you want. Without your inspiration, their enthusiasm for achieving something big and significant will be lost, their effort will be reduced to the ordinariness of work, and your vision will shrink to dried ink on a page. If it has been a while since the people in your organisation voluntarily did something way beyond your expectations, then it is probably time to rethink about how the power of your inspiration could lift results.
Inspire Confidence
Inspire confidence that you have a significant but achievable vision and plan by sharing it with the whole organisation - but let them know how dependent you are on them to achieve it.
Believe in Them
Igniting some of your drive in the hearts and minds of the people you lead, starts by communicating to them that you see potential in them beyond their current job description. After all, is this not the universal trigger that drives people to reach beyond themselves?
Challenge Them
Urge your organisation to demonstrate their untapped potential by letting them define and execute new ways to impact company results. Give them free reign to come up with ideas and how they will implement them - recognising and rewarding those who respond to the challenge.
Set an Example
Set a good example of Self- Mastery, Strong Relationships and Action. Leaders often forget how closely they are watched by their organisation and how strong an influence they have on those around them. Most people want to be like their leader.
Celebrate with Them
Celebrating success however small, is the most effective way of showing how important peoples' contributions are, and even more effective in keeping them engaged. Nothing kills inspiration quicker than not showing appreciation.
Balance
Show people you appreciate the 'little things' in life by caring about your and their humanity.
