The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

128 / TAKING UP YOUR LEADERSHIP ROLE

Inspiring and encouraging

Setting a good example

One of the basic rules of leadership is that

in order to inspire others you must aspire

to be a model of excellence yourself. Your

personal journey toward excellence will

never end, but it will give you two vital

qualities—the desire to learn, and, in turn,

that will lead to the humility of knowing

how much more you have to learn.

Your role is all about providing

inspiration, and that starts with a

clear vision for a better future, which

you will need to communicate to

your team on a daily basis through

your words and actions:

-^ Make it clear to others that they have
the capability and power to make a
difference—that their unique
attributes can help achieve the vision.
-^ Bring hope for the future to sustain
people through change and adversity;
if people feel overwhelmed and slow
down, bring them back to the vision
with simple messages that show the
next small steps forward.
-^ Point out progress made and signs of
success on the way to fill people once
again with confidence and the desire
to go forward.
-^ Praise new ideas and the courage
demonstrated in new ventures.
-^ Keep team members stretched—^
one step ahead of what they thought
they could do.
-^ Keep positive: explain that most
experiments that do not work are not
failures—just feedback; turn setbacks
into positive impetus for change.

From the way they formulate and express their overarching vision to

the thought that they put into everyday interactions, which is the glue

of any team relationship, you will find that leaders encourage and

inspire others around them at every level of activity.

How to inspire through

your vision

State your vision in highly

positive terms

Your role is about providing

inspiration, and that starts

with a clear vision for a

better future

US_128-129_Inspiring_and_encouraging.indd 128 30/05/16 3:02 pm