A place that could do with loads of inspired behavior is your
workplace. How do you inspire yourself and your colleagues into
working better? Or in the words of a thesaurus, how do you
animate, stimulate, invigorate, energize, galvanize and
revolutionize them into action? Learn to be a leader to your
staff.
One truth stands out from among the thousands of corporate
self-help lines tossed around nowadays. There is no leadership
except leadership by example!
You must inspire your workforce by being a role model of dynamic,
efficient and honest work. Modern “gurus” say ‘don’t work hard,
work smart’. But to achieve that level of efficiency, one has to
work hard indeed. Your perseverance and courage will empower your
team to step out of their comfort zones and do better. When you
exceed your own expectations, your staff will seek to do the
same.
In these harsh recession days, employees are watching how much
you make and how much the top guns reward you. If you flash past
your workers in a Ferrari, that is not going to inspire them. But
if you take part of your bonus and spend it on a workshop or
creativity seminar for your staff, they will be moved and roused
by your selfless action. Steer clear of backroom politics, your
workers will respect you more if you skip the “spin speak” and
nasty gossip.
You can hold your staff to high standards, but don’t expect them
to get there overnight. Don’t give them that lecture of praise
only on retirement day. Praise progress, it will give a lift to
their step and they will love you for it. Talk less and listen
more. Empathize with everyone at a genuine level.
Your people have creative minds. Let their inspiration benefit
you too. Invite new ideas, small ones and big ones and award the
best ideas, however tiny they may be. Remember ‘to inspire’ means
‘to take in breath’ and also ‘to give life to’. When every member
of the firm gives and takes, breathes in and out, there will be
growth in the company tree.
