Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines leadership as: “the act or instance of leading.” The definition seems so simple, and yet the task itself is daunting and complex. Bookstores have entire sections dedicated to this genre. But what exactly does it mean to be a leader? While the definition may not be clear, most successful leaders share one characteristic in common. A true leader must inspire the heart.
Inspiration is central to any form of leadership. You cannot hope to achieve anything substantial entirely on your own. It is imperative to receive the support of others who will take up your cause, and motivating followers becomes essential to inspiring the support of others. You must be able to show those around you tangible reasons for why they should uphold your cause. From personal experience, it is important to include everyone in this process.
For example, as part of my vice-president position in a campus student group, I meet each term with members who are struggling academically. These students often feel left out because they rarely receive any recognition. My first term in this position, I simply continued old programs, but found that none of these pushed students to work harder. In fact, many of the traditional recognition programs did not even recognize those who had made improvement. In order to inspire struggling students to overcome challenges in their education, I needed to provide support and recognize their achievements. I started several programs designed specifically to recognize improving students. It has been amazing to see the difference these programs have made over the past four terms. The key to success was providing recognition that would inspire the students to commit themselves to working hard and raising their standards for achievement.
The programs I have instituted have been extremely successful thus far. I created a weekly recognition program in which peers nominate those who make significant improvement. At scholarship dinner each term, I make a point to recognize those who achieved top grades. However, I also pioneered several recognition programs for students who improved considerably during the term. Overall, I have seen tremendous success from the programs I have started. This is because every idea I implement in one way or another seeks to inspire the heart. I do not want to simply provide incentives, but would much rather work to build a lasting sense of motivation.
Thus, while every leadership situation is different and encompasses a different target group, there is a common thread. It is much easier and more effective to inspire a group to take up your cause than to force your cause upon them. And it is through such inspiration that you can build a supportive network of followers who will strive to promote your cause to others.
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