True Leaders: Who Inspire You?

"True leaders listen more and talk less. They inspire and guide others, act with integrity and honesty, and handle challenges with grace and resilience." - Stefan Lindegaard

While you think of true leaders like this in your organization and beyond, you can get some inspiration in this newsletter. It starts with a few examples of true leaders who exemplify these qualities include:

• The business example, Howard Schultz: Schultz is the former CEO of Starbucks, and is credited with turning the company into the global brand it is today. He is known for his focus on creating a positive culture within the company, and for his ability to listen to and consider the ideas and perspectives of his employees.
• The movement example, Martin Luther King Jr.: King was a leader in the American civil rights movement, and is remembered for his powerful and inspiring speeches. He acted with integrity and honesty, and was willing to stand up for what he believed in, even in the face of great opposition.
• The integrity example, Michelle Obama: Obama is a former First Lady of the United States, and is known for her focus on issues such as education, health, and women's rights. She is widely respected for her ability to inspire and motivate others, and for her integrity and honesty.
• The sports example, Alex Ferguson: Ferguson is a former soccer manager who is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in the history of the sport. He is known for his ability to inspire and motivate his players, and for his focus on discipline and hard work.

These are just a few examples of true leaders who embody the qualities of listening more and talking less, acting with integrity and honesty, and handling challenges with grace and resilience. Each of these individuals has left a lasting impact on the world, and serves as an inspiration to others to strive for true leadership.

What is true leadership about??

True leadership is about more than just having a title or position of authority. It's about inspiring and guiding others, acting with integrity and honesty, and being able to handle challenges with grace and resilience.

One key way that true leaders demonstrate these qualities is by listening more and talking less. They understand the value of hearing others' perspectives and ideas, and are willing to let others speak and be heard. They also understand that effective communication is about more than just speaking, but also about actively listening and paying attention to what others have to say.

True leaders also act with integrity and honesty, even when it may be difficult or inconvenient. They do what they say they will do, and they are reliable and trustworthy. They lead by example, and set a high standard of ethical behavior for themselves and those around them.

True leaders are also able to handle challenges with grace and resilience. They are able to adapt to changing circumstances and are always looking for ways to help their team or organization succeed. They are able to stay calm and composed under pressure, and are able to motivate and inspire others to do the same.

And yes, they are servant leaders in the context of the people and the organization they work with and within. As I shared earlier, some examples of true leaders who exemplify these qualities include Howard Schultz, Martin Luther King Jr., Michelle Obama and Alex Ferguson.?

So, who are the true leaders who have inspired you in the past or inspire you now? Why? It’s great for reflection and maybe you want to share it here.

By the way, true leaders at the top level are great at getting the right people on the bus and the right people in the right seats.