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Inspirational Leaders Aren't Angry People

Guest post by: Michael Hume

Article Overview: Maybe you can't convince, but you can definitely influence other people. Agitators know this, and they are skilled at bringing things out of their followers that serve their (the agitators') purposes... often, especially during these days of "occupation" protests, those things include anger, outrage, and misdirected (or undirected) passion. But inspirational leaders bring out very different things that make their followers better people... and here's how they do it....

Inspirational Leaders Aren't Angry People

Passion's Great; But Keep It Positive And Avoid Egotism A few days ago I published a piece about how to recognize inspirational leadership. I argued that the big difference between true inspirational leadership and mere agitation is what kind of person you become when you follow it. If you increasingly like the person you are, the leadership you're following is probably the real deal. If you like yourself less and less, it isn't.

I received a lot of great feedback on that piece, and one of the notable ways in which one person reacted was to say the piece reminded them that "you can't convince anyone of anything."

Maybe you can't convince, but you can definitely influence other people. Agitators know this, and they are skilled at bringing things out of their followers that serve their (the agitators') purposes... often, especially during these days of "occupation" protests, those things include anger, outrage, and misdirected (or undirected) passion. But inspirational leaders bring out very different things that make their followers better people... and here's how they do it.

First and foremost, convince yourself. Be the person you truly aspire to be, no matter how difficult it is. Be that person in deed and word, not just intellectually; remember that we judge ourselves by our intentions, but others will judge you by your behavior. And evaluate yourself often... are you acting like an inspired person (and therefore a potential inspirational leader), or just an angry person (and potential agitator)?

Next, stop trying to convince other people. Instead, be curious about them. Explore them. Real inspirational leaders ask a lot of questions, while agitators focus on making pronouncements. When you're with an agitator, he's doing all the talking... when you're with an inspirational leader, she's getting you to talk, and giving you room to do it. The agitator knows the answer... the inspirational leader is pretty sure you have your own answer, and might just need some guided (or even unguided) self-discovery and a good listener to help you talk it out until you find that answer in yourself.

Agitators are never surprised by what they hear you say. Inspirational leaders are frequently surprised, and expect to be surprised... they inspire you, but they also open up space for you to inspire them. Agitators play to your inner Victim; inspirational leaders talk to your inner Entrepreneur.

Many of my clients want to be inspirational leaders... and many are. Some start a business, some build wealth (and create opportunities for others to do the same), some work a "normal" job but still behave like an entrepreneur. They're the sort of people you feel are always on your side. They are rooting for you. They want you to win.

Whether you're the kind of person who's working on Wall Street right now, or the kind who's merely occupying it, ask yourself some questions. Coach yourself. Are you on a positive path in your life? What emotion do you wake up with in the morning and go to bed with at night? If it's love, or joy, or peace... you're on the path of inspiration. If it's anger... look for a different path. It's there, and you'll find the trailhead inside yourself.

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Article Tags: entrepreneurship, health wealth and happiness, inspirational leadership, personal responsibility



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