The True Role of a Leader

We all know and have leaders in our life. Whether they are a public figure, a mentor, an associate or a friend, they all have one thing in common: they are effective in all of their efforts. When we think about the definition of leading, we think first-mover, being proactive and consistently being ahead of the curve. What we may not realize is that all individuals who posess leadership abilities also have an innate ability to do one thing better than others which is what truly classifies them as leaders- and that is to inspire.

Many think that the role of a leader is to motivate. This is partly true, however, when we look at leadership from a progressive point of view it is clear to see that through motivation comes inspiration. Motivation comes from within, when inspiration is simply external efforts which help to drive internal motivations. Through effective inspiration comes great motivation- to do, to believe and to achieve. If you are in a management position and your consistent efforts to motivate don't seem to be working- try a different approach, and focus on being your team's inspiration to become more internally motivated. If organizations want their teams to start thinking and performing at much higher levels than they currently are, all leaders must implement strategies that increase overall associate well-being and comfort within their roles.

As a leader, your role is also to be an effective communicator. This role should be based on your skill and ability to listen constructively, question skillfully, and to coordinate the contributions of each individual who is part of your team. Every leader will develop their own style and approach to doing things. As leaders, sometimes expectations can be very high. In order to experience higher job satisfaction, expectations should be decreased. This will help you to get a better grasp on how you are inspiring your team to work collectively and achieve common goals, all while becoming more internally motivated to perform at higher levels.

Think about the leaders in your life. Do they inspire you to reach your full potential?