Unleash Your Inner Spark: 5 Strategies to Motivate Yourself and Others
Leadership boils down to impact, and in his new book "INSPIRE: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others," Adam Galinsky emphasizes that indifference is never an option for leaders. Galinsky, a renowned social psychologist and professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School, believes that we either inspire or infuriate those around us. So, how can one inspire themselves and others without resorting to anger and frustration?
Galinsky shares that inspiring or infuriating is a daily choice, but with the right mindset, it can be learned and improved upon. The key to distinguishing between inspiring and infuriating leaders lies in understanding the universal set of inspiring characteristics, which can be taught, nurtured, and developed.
In "INSPIRE," Galinsky explores differentiating factors between leaders and delves into practical strategies to harness inspiration and create meaningful change. This enlightening guide, filled with decades of research and real-world examples, offers readers a roadmap to inspire themselves and others, moving towards the inspiring end of the infuriating-inspiring spectrum.
Embrace the Leader Amplification Effect
As a leader, every action you take is amplified. This is what Galinsky calls the "Leader Amplification Effect." Just like Captain Tammie Jo Shults of Southwest Airlines reassured passengers during a crisis with a simple statement, "We are not going down. We are going to Philly," the power of intentional communication can transform fear into hope. Each word, gesture, and decision you make is magnified, and as a leader, you need to recognize the potential impact of even your smallest actions.
Practice Perspective-Taking
Great leaders empathize with others, understanding how others perceive their actions. Galinsky's research reveals that perspective-taking is essential for leading inspiringly. As a leader, it's crucial to be conscious of the "curse of knowledge" and avoid assuming that others understand your intentions without explanation. Miscommunication can easily lead to misunderstandings and mistrust.
Create a Psychologically Safe Environment
Inspiring leaders foster environments where people feel safe sharing their ideas and concerns. The leader's response to criticism or ideas helps determine the culture within the team or organization. If leaders fail to engage with their teams or dismiss ideas, it can create a culture of fear, making it difficult for individuals to contribute their best work.
Empower Others Through Mentorship
Effective mentorship fulfills the fundamental human need for belonging and growth. Inspiring leaders recognize that everyone has unique talents and needs and adapt their support accordingly. By delegating responsibility and celebrating others' successes, leaders can create a sense of belonging and foster continued growth.
Be a Visionary Leader
Inspiring leaders communicate a compelling vision of the future. To become a more visionary leader, Galinsky suggests starting with your values and simplifying complex ideas. Simplifying your vision does not mean dumbing it down; instead, it means making your message more relatable and engaging to inspire others.
By following these essential strategies, leaders can elevate their impact, creating environments where people thrive. As Galinsky's research reveals, the capacity to inspire is universal and teachable – it is a choice every leader can make to inspire themselves and others, leaving a lasting positive impact.
Galinsky, who is a professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia University's Columbia Business School, highlights that Tammie Jo Shults, the captain of Southwest Airlines, is an excellent example of a leader who leverages the Leader Amplification Effect by communicating clearly and reassuringly during a crisis.
Adam Galinsky's book, "INSPIRE," emphasizes the importance of practicing perspective-taking, a key characteristic of inspiring leaders, as it enables leaders to empathize with others and avoid miscommunication.
Great leaders, according to Galinsky, create psychologically safe environments by engaging with their teams and responding constructively to criticism or ideas, which helps cultivate a culture of trust and foster individuals' best work.
Effective mentoring, as Galinsky points out, plays a significant role in empowering others by fulfilling their needs for belonging and growth. Visionary leaders, as per Galinsky, communicate a compelling and relatable vision to inspire their followers, which can be a powerful tool in leadership development.
Galinsky's research suggests that the ability to inspire is not only teachable but also a choice every leader can make to amplify their impact and leave a lasting, positive impact on those around them.
