Why They'll Follow You

Can you believe it’s already February?!?

I know everyone says this, but time truly flies—especially when you’re having fun! And I’m certainly having fun lately because my book is closer to launching than ever before! ??

I’m so excited to share this book with you…stay tuned for more details soon!

In the meantime, I have an exciting newsletter prepared for you. This month, we’re talking about inspiring and motivating others.?

Do you want to be a leader that people are eager to follow?? Keep reading!

How to be an inspiring leader (there’s more to it than you think!)

(hint: it’s the one thing we are ‘not’ taught in school)…

What comes to mind when you think of inspiring people? Motivating them?

Do you picture a charismatic leader on stage giving a speech? Maybe getting a standing ovation at the end?

Well, the reality is: that’s NOT what it means to inspire and motivate.

Because—think about it—how many times have you clapped for someone and then forgotten everything they said?

A key to INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION is to:

Listen with the 3 A’s!

1. Listen actively.
2. Listen assumption-free.
3. Listen with acknowledgement.

The majority of the leaders I talk to?think?they are good listeners. And they do intend to be.

But when I talk to their TEAMs, I don’t hear the same thing. What I hear instead are leaders who…

Money isn’t enough to make employees (even senior leaders) feel appreciated…

In a coaching session with a senior leader recently, he shared how his corporate boss sent him an email ACKNOWLEDGING and APPRECIATING him for his and his team’s effort on the turnaround of their facility—and for a job well done.

He was SO encouraged by the note of thanks that he took a screenshot of the email and SENT IT TO HIS MOM!

This is NOT a young, inexperienced leader.

This is a senior leader of a large organization with many employees.

Appreciation matters! At ALL levels.

Another senior leader recently checked in with his boss to see if he was tracking well and doing what was expected. His boss said: “You got your bonus, didn’t you? That should be enough to tell you.”

This leader, a senior level executive, shared with me: “Actually, it ISN’T enough!”

‘Ask the Coach’ Corner

Question: How do I become a leader people trust and want to follow?

Alissa’s Answer:

It’s all about influence.

Being a leader that people truly trust and want to follow isn’t about having top-down authority; it’s not about a job title.

It’s about…

Influence. Leading by example. Showing people the way by modeling it. Integrity. Believing in the power of possibilities and potential. Painting the picture of a better future and showing that you’re willing to pay the price to get there…before asking them to do the same.

I love what John C. Maxwell says: “Leadership is influence. Nothing more, nothing less.”

A final note for February...

It can seem a bit ironic. But, if you want to be someone people will follow, you can’t want that the most.

You have to want what’s best for them. You have to want what’s best for your organization. You have to want to serve a bigger vision and believe in that vision to the point that you bring others along with you.

Inspiring leaders who truly motivate people are trailblazers. They are willing to walk the talk. They’re great listeners. They’re not about getting all of the attention. Rather, they’re all about making an impact and inviting others along the journey to make an impact too. And they’re not about seeking credit but generously SHARE the credit and CELEBRATE collective wins.

As you continue your leadership journey this year, consider how you are tracking compared to the attributes described in this month’s newsletter resources.

Look for areas of strength within your own leadership that you can leverage, and explore areas where you want to grow.

Start with self-awareness, then apply consistent micro-actions.

Another great quote by John C. Maxwell: “Consistency compounds.”

Be consistent with your micro-actions to grow as a leader…and you’ll enjoy the compound effect in 2024!

Warmly,

~Alissa

Alissa DeWitt, MCC, CPC, CERS,?is the Founder, CEO and?Executive Leadership Coach at Executive Impact, an organization dedicated to developing coach leaders and building leadership dream teams. With 30+ years in business and leadership, expertise in human behavior working with leaders from the front line to the C-Suite, and competencies as a Master Certified Coach, Alissa is the creator of ‘The Coach Approach to Leadership.'