“Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves”
-Stephen Covey
By Carlos Ray Ruiz
There are many words, ideas and information that we come across every day, however, the term “sink in” it usually applies to the moment when those ideas or concepts have the power to drive change or to do something meaningful in our lives or in the lives of others.
There is a term that not too long ago sank in in the area of leadership. This term is “To Inspire Others”. Whether you do it through your words or through your actions inspiration is a very powerful characteristic of any good leader.
When I think about my life, I can easily identify the moments but more importantly the people that inspired me. Sometimes my coaches inspired me to became better through delivering everything I got during a football game or practice, maybe it was that teacher that through his passion for what he said inspired me to joyfully read a book that to help me pass a history test.
Inspiring others is a powerful gift, What I do but more importantly who I am could inspire others to overcome adversity or perhaps to strive to a better life or to grow in areas where that person needs to be developed.
Sometimes we don’t understand and we underestimate the impact that our actions and our words may have in others.
If we reflect deeper on this concept to discover the characteristics that we should apply to inspire others, it is likely that we will identify the following characteristics:
1. Passion.
Most people that have inspired me have shown a passion for what they do. Therefore if we want to inspire others we should also display a passion for what we genuinely believe is true and right according to our values and character.
2. Words of encouragement.
What does encouragement mean?
Encouraging: Giving Hope or Promise.
When you are in a position of leadership you must recognize that what you say has a big impact on the people you are leading. That can open great opportunities to encourage people to accomplish great things. Use that as a way to inspire and “push” others to do what they themselves sometimes don’t see they are capable to achieve.
“Leadership is communicating to people their worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it in themselves”
-Stephen Covey
3. Walk the Talk.
It is inspiring when you see people who not only talk but more important back up the talking with actions, especially under difficult circumstances. It is likely that people may want to replicate and apply the lessons they have learned from seeing you execute in a certain way and to replica a similar behaviour.
Finally, I believe that should continually look for opportunities to turn insignificant moments to moments where we could inspire others. I believe that there are always people around us in need to be inspired by the gifts and talents that we have as leaders and certainly we must also pay attention to be inspired by the people that we respect and admire in areas where we need to be developed.
Please remember, ¨Leadership is action no position.¨ (learned from D.K.)