As a business leader, you must be able to rally your workers around a common cause. You may struggle to do this if you’re not considered to be a very inspirational figure.
After all, stories of businesses operating at their best can be empowering, especially during times of strife. Inspiration is at the crux of everything firms attempt, and leaders need to exude these qualities themselves to make it all possible. It counts for more today too, due to the economic strife being felt worldwide.
Still, caution is needed here. Otherwise, according to Kurt Uhlir’s Definitive Guide to Servant Leadership, entrepreneurs can become overconfident, soon unravelling after believing themselves impervious to bad luck and poor judgment. Inspiration is important, but it must be approached with a measured outlook and earned credibly.
So, how can you become a more inspiring leader in business? Read on after the jump for some tips that might help you exert more positive influence in your company and industry.
Find Inspiration Yourself
One cannot become an inspirational leader without first being inspired. Though many entrepreneurs might claim to be wholly original futurists that can outperform competitors at every turn, the truth is that many of them have sourced ideas from somewhere.
It is a good idea to have a firm idea about what type of entrepreneur you wish to be. To do this, sourcing inspiration from other successful business figures can be crucial. There are always elements of the old mixed in with the new in industry. Each success builds upon the last, so finding these insights where possible is crucial for your success.
This step is especially important if you’re part of a key demographic often underutilised in the business world today. Knowing that others like you have found success could energise you, helping you to lead your company more confidently and boldly. You may also benefit from their wisdom, helping you strategise both short-term and long-term steps when mapping out your firm’s future.
Finding inspiration in others can also be a humbling experience. Recognising the successes of others can provide you with perspective and keep you grounded in your operations instead of veering on the borders of delusion. It may also help you chart your own distinct path by avoiding the mistakes of others, rather than mimicking the heroes of your industry. After that, your leadership will carry much more weight.
Take a Leadership Online Course
Effective leaders should have a strong sense of self-belief. That said, they are also keenly aware that there is always more to learn, especially if they wish to pioneer the future. Trying to immerse yourself in where your industry is heading can help your company stay ahead and potentially have more influence in your sector too.
Consider registering for a leading sustainability: high impact leadership online course with the University of Cambridge and recommending them to current and aspiring leadership staff for improved performances. Entrepreneurs from any industry or business will find value in this 8-10 hours per week for 8 weeks. Learn what values and mindset are required of a high impact leader. Equip yourself to engage stakeholders more influentially.
Prove to yourself and others that you utilise your time wisely. If you have a constant push to develop your skill set, those around you will have faith in your ever-improving abilities and in your commitment to chase the best performance results possible.
Remember, the business world is rapidly changing every day. If you’re occupying a leadership position, you must keep pace with every stage of its evolution. Enrolling on a high impact leadership course online is a great way to stay current and sharp in your expertise.
Write a Strong Company Bio/History
Leaders in the business world are judged by their past actions just as much as their present. If you have decided to lead an enterprise, it’s a good idea to mention any good deeds attributed to your name.
Try to ensure you’re represented well on various online platforms. People use domains like LinkedIn to build a platform and brand, but it can also be used to detail your work history, and why others should have faith in your practices. A wide-ranging list of reputable connections in your network may also impress others and legitimise your operations in their view.
You could try to achieve the same effect on your company blog too. Make sure your personal profile is clearly visible on the page that introduces staff members to web visitors. Here you can succinctly explain your work history, values, and the reasons for your company being as successful as it is today.
The about page for your company should also be impeccably written. Even mentioning challenging periods can serve to humanise your business and draw inspiration if you can explain how your business has overcome each difficulty. The more you openly celebrate the history of your career and company, the more people will gravitate toward your efforts.
Be Open and Accessible
You should strive to be just as open offline as you are online. That means making time for colleagues, partners, and associates.
Many people assume that the most successful business leaders shut themselves away and work reclusively. This approach comes with a cost, potentially causing employees to feel directionless and unsupported in their roles. Clients and customers may feel isolated and assume their business isn’t a high priority.
Position yourself in the shoes of others. Did you ever have a boss who was frustratingly inaccessible? Try to close any distance between you. You might worry you’re nurturing a dependent workforce, but by engaging with everybody equally, you’re facilitating a teamwork spirit that will influence every level of your company infrastructure.
Even simple gestures of familiarity carry a lot of weight here. Whether you’re learning the names of your colleagues or the work history of your clients, it all serves to establish a strong rapport and build faith in you not only as a leader but as a human being.
Value Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Patience is one of the most important virtues a leader in business can have. It’s what drives logical and critical thinking and supports strong relations with colleagues, clients, and partners. You can only expect to have a measured outlook on matters when you’re practising self-care.
The stress of being a boss can certainly take its toll and remaining calm and rational does not always come easy. Still, wellness is an important topic in today’s business dialogue, and bosses aren’t exempt from practising positive mental and emotional well-being. While you may try to take care of your employees, that nurturing attitude should extend to yourself too.
Attribute more resources to your human resources department, if necessary. You could instruct them to provide useful one to one sessions with staff and yourself. Wellness apps could also be downloaded, or you could outsource portions of work to ease pressure on yourself or any co-workers.
Simpler changes are worth making too. A cleaner workspace that has better ventilation, more natural light, and additional indoor plants could be enough to boost well-being. Creating time for social events may boost happiness and loyalty, and providing increased recognition for your colleague’s hard work could help matters too.
If you wish to become a more inspiring leader in business, improve your awareness around the treatment of others, the skills required, and what behavioural qualities you should constantly be practising.
