Leadership and Inspiration

Inspiration is a compelling way to influence people. ?Encyclopedia Britannica defines inspiration, as a force or influence that stimulates someone to do something or gives them an idea about what to create. It can be a person, place, experience, or thing that provokes this creative urge or motivation. For instance, someone might find inspiration for their art from nature, or a person's bravery could serve as a source of inspiration for others to be courageous. The Oxford English Dictionary defines it " The process of being mentally stimulated to do or feel something, especially to do something creative." It is however, best explained by American Psychological Association (APA) as “A sudden feeling of enthusiasm, or a new idea that helps you to do or create something." Fundamentally, it has two dimensions; Leadership inspiration and Self-inspiration. Generally, inspiration is contributed to some positivity however, it may not be so as APA has very rightly brought out, sudden enthusiasm to do or create something. It has not linked it with any positivity or negativity. I am of the view that positivity or negativity of Inspiration is related to its origin. If the person or an event or act is positive, people will draw positive inferences however, if the origin of source is negative, inferences drawn will be negative correspondingly.” Mother Teresa” speaks of spreading love. I fully endorse her message. She is a great source of Inspiration for millions to promote positivity. We may say that to Inspire others, one must be in love with the people he/ she dealing with.

?What shall we will call to those who are terrorists and suicide bombers? Terrorists who planned 9/11 and laid their lives? They certainly did not lay their lives for some material gains but some deep rooted inspiration (hate rate) for a cause as per their belief. Inspiration therefore, is something different and above the sphere of positivity and negativity. Inspiration stems from subconscious as a result of some spark, stimulation and triggers the energy which funnels in to specific direction without reference to considered opinion, reasoning and logic. In my views, Inspiration is the spontaneous result of an individual which he/she takes in a spur of moment to do certain act. Though, end results may be known but these are irrelevant.? A soldier fights the war knowing fully well that it may cost his own life is a result of Inspiration. It may be because of his leadership, prestige of his Regiment, honor of mother land or his country. Sacrificing own life is the biggest sacrifice. Similarly, a terrorist sacrifices his life for a cause and purpose but both have different connotation however, Inspiration is common factor. In public and social life, a political leader inspires the masses and they demonstrate on streets, many of them succumb to injuries by police and even some are shot dead. It all happens on the call of a leader who inspires the public, for them their own life is less important than the cause. Once we talk of business, inspiration acts as catalyst and generates momentum in the business. ?As per Cambridge English Dictionary;" Inspiration is someone or something that gives you ideas for doing something." Employees get energized and put in their best for the organization. The great business tycoon and cofounder of APPLE Steve Jobs relates inspiration with Love for work to the extent that he says; "Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."? It is most comprehensive definition of Inspiration related to business. Resonating energy" from a leader refers to the powerful and positive influence a leader can have on their team or organization. A business leader who generates resonating energy inspires and motivates others through their vision, passion, and enthusiasm. Their energy is encouraging others, they endure for excellence and stay enthusiastic, thrilled and excited to their objectives and goals.

Their emotional intelligence (EI) connects them deeply with others while Emotional balance(EB) allows them to maintain personal emotional stability.? Emotional intelligence involves a broader range of skills that include understanding and influencing the emotions of others. remain cognizant of their emotions being empathetic. Such an attitude creates a positive and productive environment where employees feel valued. It thus creates a culture of trust, collaboration, and mutual respect, which increase overall performance and morale of employees. They are authentic and act with integrity. Their consistency and honesty build credibility and trust, which are essential for effective leadership. They communicate a clear and compelling vision for the future, aligning the team's efforts and fostering a shared sense of purpose. This clarity helps individuals understand their roles and contributions to the larger goal. These leaders demonstrate resilience in the face of challenges and adapt to changing circumstances. Their calm and composed demeanor in stressful situations provides stability and reassurance to their team, this builds trust and confidence in the leadership. We can say that resonating energy from a leader creates a positive and dynamic environment that empowers individuals, fosters collaboration, and drives the collective success of the team or organization with confidence and strong belief.

????????? ?In modern times, leadership is becoming more and more challenging, demanding and difficult. Each tier of business has many dimension and invites variety of views and thoughts. Every person can express his view as per his wisdom, experience, judgement and business acumen. Interestingly, as computer and mobile phones lose their charm once new model or generation comes in the market, same is applied to leadership but in a different way. Apple will lose its branding if it does not go for innovations and keep current with market trends. Similarly, a leader has to grow continuously. He/ She has to has grip on many factors like; Productivity, what competitors are doing, Research and Development (R&D), innovations and ideas to add to customers’ experience. Every step requires value addition. Each stage has the capacity to be dealt and discussed separately. Nevertheless, one thing is common in all and that is “People”. They may be your work force or customers.

Once we talk of People, we must remember that people are not robot. They have feelings, emotions, likes and dislikes, they have certain standard of moral, ethical and social values. They want to be appreciated and pleased. They want to be compensated for the energy they utilize for the productivity of the company. Same way, customers want to be compensated for each single penny for the product they buy, it must be worth it. Each organization and its leadership team workout strategies to achieve desired objectives and goals. As I have already said that common factor is “People”, so any strategy, it must influence people so they feel good and valued. It is a litmus test of any Business Leader as to what leadership qualities he/she has by which people get inspired, influenced and to what degree.

There are different types of leaders who adopt certain specific approach. Their approach describes their stature that how big or small they are. How much clarity of thought they have. Some just feel suffice to give motivation lectures, some scale down incentives to motivate whereas, some resonate to the extent that people get inspired to work. This Inspiration is the most impressive tool with a leader that people follow him. Customers get good experience and feel attracted and drawn to the company’s products. Inspiration always comes from leader to his team. They both make company a brand to be recon with. Now this brand inspires customers to go for company’s products. David Brier, a renowned branding expert and author, offers a compelling perspective on inspiration. According to Brier, inspiration is the driving force behind effective branding and business transformation. He believes that true inspiration comes from the ability to see and create what others overlook, transforming ordinary ideas into extraordinary experiences. Brier emphasizes that inspiration is about tapping into a unique vision and harnessing it to disrupt the status quo and elevate brands above the noise of the marketplace. Brier describes inspiration as the "magic ingredient" that has fueled iconic successes, from television shows like "Seinfeld" to legendary bands like The Rolling Stones. He argues that this form of inspiration is essential for creating brands that resonate deeply with audiences and stand the test of time. For Brier, being inspired means daring to challenge conventional thinking and embracing innovative, bold ideas that redefine what is possible.

Some individuals view motivational speeches as the primary source of inspiration. I see motivational speeches as nothing more than a temporary fix unless they are able to connect to real-life situations. Often, motivation is centered around rewards and serves as a tool to entice employees with material benefits. They are offered a system of rewards and compensation for their efforts, which can become politicized in many instances. This ultimately leads to the cultivation of greed, cliques among employees, favoritism, and unhealthy competition, resulting in a toxic work environment. If your employees eagerly anticipate returning to work on Monday morning, it indicates that they are genuinely inspired by the organization and the workplace environment. Their somber expressions on Monday morning speak volumes. Similarly, a customer who enters your establishment and is greeted with a smile by frontline staff reflects their inspiration. The number of customers who visit your store and make purchases also serves as an indicator of the brand's inspiration.

Every organization strives for improved productivity, employee engagement (through positive culture) and strong branding. People (employees and customers) are the common factor in all three dimensions or goals. Motivation for individuals in both scenarios is material-oriented and does not address internal emotions; it is outward-focused. Individuals are driven to put in effort (not necessarily their best effort) in order to receive their due reward. This approach also fosters self-branding among employees (which is not necessarily negative), although such employees may quickly transition to a different organization. Renowned author Dr. Travis Bradberry also talks of motivation. He believes that in first step factors contributing to demotivation be removed followed by motivating factors. He then explains each point separately in his article published in LinkedIn. ?He identifies these factors as follow;

Demotivating Factors;

? Making a lot of stupid rules.

? Letting accomplishments go unrecognized.

? Hiring and promoting the wrong people.

? Treating everyone equally.

? Tolerating poor performance.

? Going back on their commitments.

? Being apathetic.

Motivating factors;

? Treat others as you want to be treated yourself.

? Be strong without being harsh.

? Remember that communication is a two-way street.

? Be a role model, not a preacher.

? Be transparent.

? Be humble.

? Take a genuine interest in employees’ work-life balance.

I consider these all as step towards inspiration and not motivation as these influence the inner emotions of employees. Inspiration tickles the innermost feelings and emotions. It brings the compelling pressure on to inner self to perform the best. This stage of giving best is sense of belonging, ownership, trust and classic example of engagement. This is the stage where innovations take place. The leader who inspires in such a way has to demonstrate highest degree of character, adherence to ethical, moral values and a charismatic personality. This resonates energy which inspires the team and make a brand. It is thus, inspiration makes a brand and in return brand makes inspiration, both become synonyms to each other. It can be summarized as follow;

? Inspiration vs. Motivation:

o?? Inspiration is about touching the inner self, the core emotions of individuals. It is more profound than motivation, which often relies on external rewards or incentives. When employees are inspired, they are driven by an internal force, a desire to achieve and excel because it resonates with their personal values and passions.

?? Emotional Engagement:

o?? When employees are emotionally engaged, they experience a deep connection to their work and the organization. This connection manifests in a sense of belonging and ownership, where employees feel responsible for the success of their projects and the organization. Trust between the leader and the team further enhances this engagement, leading to exceptional performance and commitment.

?? Role of the Leader:

o?? Leaders who inspire must embody the highest ethical and moral standards. Their charisma and integrity are crucial in gaining the trust and admiration of their team. When leaders consistently demonstrate these qualities, they create an environment where inspiration thrives, and employees feel motivated to align their efforts with the leader's vision.

?? Cycle of Inspiration and Branding:

o?? Inspiration is a powerful tool in building a strong brand. When employees are inspired, they contribute passionately to the brand's success, creating a positive and energetic work culture. This strong brand then acts as a source of inspiration for employees and customers alike. This cycle leads to overall sustainable organizational development.