Being an Inspirational Leader in Business

One of the reasons I left a corporate job to start my own business was because I couldn’t take the inconsistencies of those above me. Not to say, I didn’t take direction well, but my “leaders” as in supervisors and managers just didn’t have what it took to lead. And they certainly didn’t have what it took to be an inspirational leader in business.

I value leadership and professionalism in business and I believe that as the leader goes so do the followers. As a business owner, that makes you the leader. So if your followers aren’t doing what you want them to do, you only have to look to yourself first.

Inspirational leadership is a critical factor for cultivating a motivated, engaged, and high-performing team. As an inspirational leader you can unlock numerous benefits that contribute to long-term success and sustainability. And in doing so, you can elevate your organization to new heights. Sounds good, doesn’t it?

Let’s look at six important benefits of stepping into being an inspirational leader for you business.

Six Important Benefits of Being an Inspirational Leader

1. Enhanced Team/Employee Engagement and Motivation

You have the unique ability to connect with your team on a deeper level, fostering a sense of purpose and belonging. And as you already know, people thrive when they have a purpose and feel as if they belong. Engaged team and employees are more committed, productive, and willing to go the extra mile, driving overall business performance and growth. And since you all are working for a bigger goal, that’s a good thing!

2. Increased Innovation and Creativity

By encouraging open communication, collaboration, and risk-taking, you empower your team to think outside the box and explore new ideas. Innovation leads to the development of unique products and services but also enhances your business’s ability to adapt to changing market conditions and stay ahead of the competition. And it allows the business to be flexible when needed.

3. Strong Organizational Culture and Values

As you play a pivotal role in shaping and reinforcing the business culture and values you set a positive example for your team to follow (remember, as the leader goes, so do the followers). A strong organizational culture fosters a sense of unity, trust, and loyalty among team members, creating a cohesive and resilient workforce. This, like point #1, in turn, leads to improved retention, job satisfaction, and overall organizational stability.

4. Improved Team/Employee Development and Growth

Being deeply invested in the personal and professional growth of your team members by providing mentorship, coaching, and opportunities for continuous learning, you help them realize their full potential. Enhancing individual performance also builds a pipeline of future leaders within the organization, ensuring long-term success and sustainability and leads to you building not just a business but a legacy.

5. Enhanced Client Satisfaction and Loyalty

The impact of being an inspirational leader extends beyond your business to your clients. Engaged and motivated team members are more likely to deliver exceptional client services, leading to higher client satisfaction and loyalty. In business, if you don’t have clients, well, you don’t have a business. If you’ve heard the saying “a bird in hand is better than two in a bush”, you know what I mean. Which also means you can spend less time and money on new and fancy marketing strategies.

6. Greater Resilience and Adaptability

As you inspire a sense of confidence and optimism in your team, empowering them to navigate challenges and setbacks with resilience and determination it fosters a growth mindset. And your team knows it has the ability to take proactive approaches to problem-solving, it results in your business to be agile and flexible in the face of change.

Let the Transformation Begin

As you consider each of the benefits from above, where in your business do you think would be a good place to start? What do you think is missing that if you implemented it now, it would make the biggest difference to you and to your team? Begin there.

Rome wasn’t built in a day. As I often remind my clients, positive and sustainable results means that change takes time and attention. Ah yes, and patience. I always like to give a plan if I can, so let’s star by setting an achievable outcome, shall we?

Choose where you’d like to begin. Then pick a “due date” of when you want to have one of the six benefits implemented. I recommend three months. It’s short enough to see results and long enough to be able to do what needs to be done without rushing as well as make any adjustments you deem necessary.

Then ask the following questions:

• What is the specific outcome you want?
• What will you see when you have it?
• What will you hear when you have it?
• What will you feel when you have it?
• Where are you now in relation to your outcome?
• What resources do you have that will allow you to achieve this?
• What resources do you need to have that will allow you to achieve this?
• For what purpose do you want this outcome?
• Write it out in future tense – it is now [date] and I have [outcome]

While this is exercise is specifically for you to elevate yourself into an inspirational leader, involving your team is a great way to model what it is you want from them as well.

And we all know the keys to success in business is in the people, don’t we?

Comment below to share your thoughts on this, I’d love to hear them.

---