Often, the leaders we remember the most are the ones who inspire us to take action or to better ourselves and make an impact. To be inspirational in this way is a goal many leaders dream of achieving, yet it’s not a skill that always seems to come naturally to those who try.
Thankfully, there are a few steps you can follow to help put you on the right path. Here, 10 members of Young Entrepreneur Council each offer up one step leaders can take to be more inspirational day to day and discuss why developing this trait will benefit you, your team and your company overall.
Members pictured from left to right.
Photos courtesy of the individual members.
1. Radiate A Positive Vibe
Remember to have fun, even as a leader—or especially because you’re a leader. At your next meeting, think “How can we work better together to make this great?” versus “How do we avoid forking this up?” Given emotional contagion, your vibe matters. While there are times when I switch postures to be more direct, in most of our one-on-one interactions, being positive pays off. – Charlie Gilkey, Productive Flourishing
2. Share Your Failures
Your failures make you more human rather than just a leader. Never forget to share your failures with your teams. It’s all about courage and authenticity. Inspirational leaders are not afraid to take risks and stand up for what they believe in. They are authentic and genuine, and they lead by example. Furthermore, they are flexible and able to pivot when needed. – Candice Georgiadis, Digital Day
3. Learn To Be A Great Storyteller
If you want to be a more inspirational leader, your No. 1 skill to learn is storytelling. Every single person loves it. There is something about human nature that makes us drop everything and pay attention when we hear a good story. Learn to weave your messages into well-developed plots with thought-provoking insights and you’ll be able to inspire and motivate people around you. – Solomon Thimothy, OneIMS
4. Cultivate Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is key. Being emotionally intelligent allows leaders to better connect with their teams, to build trust and rapport and to create a positive and inclusive work environment, fostering greater engagement and commitment from team members. Leaders can practice mindfulness and self-awareness and also seek out development opportunities to enhance their emotional intelligence. – Lauren Marsicano, Marsicano + Leyva PLLC
5. Be Generous And Giving
Be more giving. Be generous. An inspirational leader gives employees what they want (within their capabilities). For example, if your company is doing well, pass along the rewards to your employees. A leader also knows that while money is a motivator, so are recognition, praise and rewards. Even speaking directly to an employee about a job well done is inspirational and a powerful motivator. – Shu Saito, SpiroPure
6. Practice Empathy
Leadership is a skill and it takes practice to develop. One of the most important skills for a leader to have is empathy. Leaders should understand how their team members are feeling and what they are going through. Leaders can also perform better by being aware of how others perceive them. How people see the leader will determine if they are seen as inspirational. – Kristin Kimberly Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
7. Get Inspired
The key to being inspirational is to be inspired. Develop the hunger to learn from other leaders. They don’t necessarily have to be in business. Pick any person who has left a mark in the world that’s worth emulating. It could be Bill Gates, or it could be the pope. Read and learn about notable figures from different industries, cultures and disciplines. The internet has a wealth of information. – Bryce Welker, Crush The GRE Test
8. Embody Your Company Values
The most inspirational thing a leader can do is embody their company values. In my company, our core belief is “People First.” This means that our employees and customers always come first. We implement this belief every day by listening to people. Leaders can develop this skill by taking small steps and being consistent. It will make an impact as you work at it over time. – Syed Balkhi, WPBeginner
9. Listen To Your Team
If you want to be a more inspirational leader, take some time to listen to your team. Employees appreciate it when their bosses listen to their feedback and take action based on what they learn. You can develop this skill by practicing. Have a biweekly one-on-one meeting with your team members so you can better understand their needs. Take what you learn and find new, inventive ways to improve your business. – Chris Christoff, MonsterInsights
10. Pick Them Up When They Are Down
You are the energy you give to your team. I always focus on having a positive attitude when communicating with my staff. When they are tired and experiencing low morale, as leaders, we must pick up our teams and keep them going with a positive mindset to help move us toward our goals. A leader is nobody without their team. – Alexandru Stan, Tekpon