Why Should I Work for You? Inspirational Leadership as a Business Strategy



Art retrieved from TeamLMI



Why Should I Work for You?

Inspirational Leadership as  Business Strategy

by William "Frank" Villanueva, PhD, MBA 

 



Carmine Gallo cited a 2011 survey conducted by the Mercer Consulting Group, which revealed that 50% of all employees in the United States were dissatisfied with their jobs. Employees who feel unhappy at work are more likely to underperform, and this can also result in higher employee turnover. In fact, it is the highly skilled, well-trained, and educated employees who will not hesitate to move on when they feel unappreciated. So, how do we keep employees motivated? The answer lies in the leader's ability to influence employees positively to perform.

 Most of us have experienced working for a boss who behaved in a manner that reminded us of the infamous cliché “Do as I say, not as I do.” As a follower, I have no respect for leaders who do not lead by example and who undermine their employees. However, these bad leadership experiences have allowed me to learn how “not to lead.” As a leader, I have always made every effort to motivate and inspire my employees to perform at their highest level. A leader must be eager to engage and include employees in the decision-making process or at a minimun keep them informed of where the company is headed. Most of my mentors have been inspirational leaders and, over the years, they have helped me to understand that inspiring and empowering people is critical to the success of any business enterprise.

 The successful execution of a business strategy -to achieve the vision of the firm- cannot take place without considering human resources. A vision that is not clearly communicated or understood by all employees constitutes a leadership failure. It takes a team of individuals who are willing and ready to achieve success collectively. Most employees will perform at a high level if they feel motivated or are inspired to succeed. Strategic managers use inspirational leadership to motivate employees into supporting the vision of the firm. They also understand that interpersonal and influential communications skills are necessary to encourage employees’ engagement and enhance organizational commitment.

 Inspirational leaders continuously ask employees for feedback, listen to their suggestions, and when feasible, implement changes. In the book The Hidden Leader: Leadership Lessons on the Potential Within, authors Dale L. Brubaker and Larry D. Coble contend that strategic leaders strive to inspire others to be “committed to something greater than themselves.” Inspirational leaders at the top management level are persuasively strategic managers who build consensus among functional managers and other employees.

 In 2012, IBM conducted a Global CEO study comprised of more than 1,700 chief executives officers, from 64 economies, and 18 industries. Sixty percent of the CEOs interviewed stated that they considered “inspirational leadership” (motivate, engage, and guide employees) as critical to firm success. In his article, The 7 Secrets of Inspiring Leaders, Carmine Gallo discusses inspirational leadership as vital for business success and reveals how this leadership style is used by some of the most renowned leaders around the world. Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group and one of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world, believes that firms must hire leaders who inspire and motivate their teams. His philosophy is to “put employees first, customers second, and investors third.”

 There is substantial evidence linking inspirational leadership behavior and performance as an executive strategist. Managers who motivate, inspire, and make employees an integral part of the firm’s vision will be more likely to have sustained increased productivity from a loyal and committed workforce. While inspiration and motivation are essential in business success, there are times when as a leader we have to show tough love and address poor performance or undesirable work practices. However, I also believe in rewarding employees for superior performance.  Leadership is a balancing act and one that requires personal judgment and situational awareness. Are you an inspirational leader or an employee who has been inspired by someone at work? Let your voices be heard.

“Before you are a leader, success is all about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is all about growing others.” - Jack Welch

Dr. William "Frank" Villanueva is a freelance writer, former business owner, and U.S. Navy veteran with over 25 years of leadership experience.