Most leaders want to inspire but may not know the best way to do so. Adam Galinsky, a professor of leadership at Columbia Business School, says leaders can become more inspiring by employing three universal qualities.
Inc. shares the following three qualities identified by Galinsky to help leaders bring out the best in team members.
- Inspiring leaders are visionary. Humans crave meaning, and inspiring leaders provide that meaning by communicating a vision—an optimistic look at the future. Optimistic visions are crucial because they create energy and are more likely to be shared and remembered. Galinksy recommends simply thinking about your values and why they matter to you if you want to get into a visionary state of mind.
- Inspiring leaders are exemplars. These individuals lead by example. Leaders’ emotions—good and bad—often are infectious, so it is important they are calm, courageous, authentically passionate, super competent and humble. Galinksy recommends getting into an exemplar state of mind by thinking about a time in which you felt powerful and in control.
- Inspiring leaders are mentors. These leaders empower and encourage others while challenging them to be the best version of themselves. Galinsky says: “Involvement moves us from the sidelines onto the playing field. We go from disengaged observers to active participants.” He recommends getting into a mentor state of mind by looking at the world from another person’s perspective.
