Great Leadership Requires Inspiration, XVIII

Guest post by: Michael Hume
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Those Economists Are Just Funnin' With Us - By Michael Hume

Inspired Leaders Exude Upbeat Energy

If you want to bring out the very best in your team, as do most of my clients, you need to find a way to be an inspirational leader. Ramping up one's inspirational leadership is one of the leading development needs of otherwise-successful leaders... even the best leaders often want to be even more inspirational. The good news is that you can, especially with coaching, improve the extent to which your leadership inspires the best in others.

The first step toward becoming a more inspirational leader is to be a more inspired person. What inspires you? Are you getting enough of it these days? The best leaders, busy as they are, find time to keep themselves inspired. They invest in their own imagination, inventing and refining wonderful visions for themselves and their businesses. They make it a priority to appreciate the great things around them - to count their blessings. And they surround themselves with positive problem-solvers (not yes-men) who help them pass inspiration around the team.

Once you're sufficiently inspired, you need to craft your own natural "brand" of inspirational leadership. Some people lead with courage, others with values. Some inspirational leaders are transparently committed to the success of their colleagues, and they lead with that. All of these are great arrows to have in your quiver... but what do you reach for first? That's your most natural brand.

I've known several leaders who lead with what I'd call upbeat energy. They are absolutely convinced things will go well, and that's obvious from the first moment you meet them. They know the challenges, they're aware of the competition and the threats and the long odds... but they exude the positive expectation that together we will slay whatever dragon appears before us.

It's easy to see why people follow the upbeat-energy leader. People like to win, and they like to spend their time and energy winning instead of worrying. The upbeat leader inspires that sort of attitude in her team... and, under such optimistic leadership, people find themselves doing more and accomplishing more than they otherwise thought they could.

Times are tough, and it's a challenge to keep your upbeat attitude. The dragons are fierce! But here's the thing: dragons, by their very nature, are always fierce. As bad as things might be for you and your team and your business, they've been worse for other leaders who've found the optimism to rise above the challenges and get the job done anyway. Never mind that things have been easier at other times, too... focus on what you still have to be appreciative of, and keep in mind that the current challenges are not beyond your significant talents as a leader. Sure, it'll be tough. But if it were easy, it wouldn't give you and your team as much satisfaction when you finally win the day.

If you've been described as a "ball of fire," it could be that leading with upbeat energy is your central, authentic brand of inspirational leadership. Make sure you're personally inspired, and that your values and sense of purpose are intact... but then, feel free to start every meeting and every campaign with the upbeat energy that comes naturally to you. Jump out there with a positive expectation, and watch your team slay the fiercest dragons.

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Those Economists Are Just Funnin' With Us - By Michael Hume

About the Author: Michael Hume

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Michael Hume is a speaker, writer, and consultant specializing in helping people maximize their potential and enjoy inspiring lives. As Founding Consultant of Agents of Personal Change (APC), LLC, he coaches executives and leaders in growing their personal sense of well-being through wealth creation and management, along with personal vitality. Those with an entrepreneurial spirit who want to make money "one less thing to worry about" can learn more about working with Michael at http://tinyurl.com/myownbiznow Anyone wanting to jump-start their vitality can browse through the best (and most travel-friendly) nutraceuticals on the market at http://www.vibeforme.com/239824 Michael and his wife, Kathryn, divide their time between homes in California and Colorado. They are very proud of their offspring, who grew up to include a homemaker, a rock star, a service talent, and a television expert. Two grandchildren also warm their hearts! Visit Michael's web site at http://michaelhume.net
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