What leaders have truly inspired you?

When I was a teenager back in South America, I had no idea.

However, being a bookworm, I quickly became fascinated by magic realism, and authors like Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Ernesto Sabato, Mario Vargas Llosa, and Jorge Luis Borges became my leaders. I wanted to become a writer myself!

I ended up studying engineering and later made a successful career in talent acquisition in the corporate world. BUT I’m still a DREAMER.

Leaders that inspire me

In the corporate world, I also got inspired. I got inspired by leaders that:

• Lead by example because they are really good at their job, and I could learn from them.
• Are caring because they want to help you to be successful by brainstorming on how you can overcome obstacles and develop to the next level.
• Challenge you because they understand that this helps you in your personal development.
• Give you freedom because they trust you and understand that you will always do the best job you can.
• Give you flexibility because they understand that to build high performing teams, diversity is key, and different people need different setups.
• Are transparent and authentic because this is the only way that you trust them and have the peace of mind to perform to your best ability.
• Invest in you because training and learning developments are key to keep you motivated.
• Give clear guidance and directions because understanding what is expected from you helps you to be productive and confident.
• Help you to understand the bigger picture because understanding where the organisation is heading boosts your confidence and motivation.

But why is inspirational leadership important in life and work?

Inspirational leaders have the ability to tap into people’s motivations and help them discover their strengths and weaknesses. Awareness can often ignite passions and creativity within us.

In organisations, inspirational leadership is vital for building high-performing teams, maintaining team spirit, and improving retention. Therefore, inspirational leadership is key to the long-lasting success of an organisation.

Becoming an aspirational leader

Consequently, the important question arises: how do you become an inspirational leader?

Below are some ideas on what you can implement and practice to become one:

1. Maintain lightness in your communication: When discussing challenges, work tasks, and in one-on-one interactions, acknowledge challenges with empathy, while also outlining a constructive way forward together.
2. Be vulnerable: Share your failures, how you felt in those moments, and what you have learned. Acknowledge when you have felt challenged at work, and explain how you worked towards finding a way forward.
3. Make it fun: Always consider how meetings and tasks can be made enjoyable by being interactive, encouraging participation, and cultivating a sense of humour. Additionally, practice becoming a great storyteller, as people love listening to engaging experiences that inspire them.
4. Stay close to your team and listen: This is even more crucial in a remote or hybrid setup. Ensure you create opportunities for your team to spend time together, exchange ideas, and practice active listening. Encourage them to listen actively to each other.
5. Be open-minded and get inspired: Lead by example and share your knowledge, but also be open to ideas from your team. Get excited about new ways of thinking and support them.
6. Be self-aware: By cultivating self-awareness, you can foster emotional intelligence and empathy. Leading your team with emotional intelligence is crucial for building trust and making them feel supported in challenging circumstances.
7. Be generous: Ensure there are rewards for your team members if the company is doing well and they have contributed to its success. Praise them and celebrate their achievements.
8. Act with integrity: Show your team that you are committed to your values and act accordingly.
9. Be authentic and honest: Let your personality shine and express your enthusiasm for what you love doing.

And who has inspired you? Give me your comments!