Of all the competencies we value in leaders, the ability to inspire rises to the top. By inspiring a culture of belonging, leaders help people feel like they're a part of something bigger than themselves. It’s something leaders should have in their toolbox, particularly during times of change.?
- Provide clarity. Make sure everyone on your team knows, understands, and embraces the foundational elements of your company and culture. When leaders clearly and confidently express their vision and what it takes to get there, people are willing to follow. ?
- Set expectations to drive performance. When people know what is expected and understand their role in the success of the company, they will go far beyond. Leaders impede people and progress when they do not set an ambitious vision with clear and measurable goals to achieve it.?
- Create a culture of positivity. Many organizations frame their culture with ambiguous values. Choose powerful phrases and create?meaning behind them that are unique to your company. Add behaviors to provide clarity and connect the teams across the company with shared ways of working and being.?
- Humanize connections. Be more vulnerable, more honest, more open – more human.?When leaders humanize connections, they actively work to cultivate more intentional and purposeful relationships.?
- Choose recognition over reward. While rewards are important, recognition by leaders and peers creates a different level of performance that is more durable and sustaining. Find ways, both formal and informal, to recognize and empower people and reinforce a culture of belonging within your organization. ?
Being inspirational is leading with clarity of purpose, value, and direction. ?
It’s about setting expectations and clear pathways for success. It’s about connecting with others on a personal, more human level. It’s about leading – not simply managing. Lastly, it's about understanding ourselves as leaders and being committed to our own development.
