Follow the Leader: Becoming an Inspirational Leader

When I was little, I loved to play the game, “follow the leader”.  Most of us are familiar with the children’s game.  One person is chosen as the leader and then everyone else lines up behind the person and does whatever the leader does.  If the leader jogs in place, everyone is line jogs in place.  If the leader, puts their hands on their head, everyone in line does likewise.  Ultimately, the leader is to inspire others to mimic the leader.

Unfortunately over time, the idea of follow the leader continues to morph into other activities as we become parts of teams, join sororities or fraternities, engage in politics, or even serve in our local church.  Whether it is in a small group to a large organization, there is usually an individual identified, formally or informally, as the “leader” and those who are to follow their lead.  From an unhealthy perspective, it can mean people failing to think for themselves and doing exactly what the leader tells them to do – right, wrong or indifferent.  Or there can be the leader that inspires and motivates people in such a way that true change can take place.

Many of us can remember the night when, then Senator Barack Obama, won the election and became the 44th President of the United States.  On that night, around the country, we tuned in and listened as he gave the now legendary victory speech telling us “You We Can”. Yes we can unite as one people.  Yes we can, rebuild a better America.  As he spoke these three little words with such conviction and compassion, many of us embraced the sentiment and wanted to join with him in the work believing yes, we can.

When we think about the power of leadership and the ability one has to cause people to follow, we have to ask the question, what inspires people to want to follow?  What is it about a person that arrests the spirit within another person or people to cause them to buy in to whatever the leader is selling or trying to accomplish?

The Inspirational Leader

According to Bo Hansen at Athletes Assessments, there are four basic needs leaders meet causing people to follow them.  They are: trust, compassion, stability, and hope.  When we think about the speech of newly elected President Barack Obama, his speech was giving hope.  As he reflected on all the country had been through and was currently facing, when he said “Yes, We Can”, he was offering hope of a better future.  When he spoke of the 106 year old woman from Georgia who lived through many cultural shifts to now cast her ballot in a history making election, hope was being issued out to all those witnessing this moment.

“Leaders who draw upon their deepest convictions and core values are said to ‘speak from the heart’. They draw people toward them because those who hear them sense a genuineness”.

Leadership consultant, Richard McGourty says “Leaders who draw upon their deepest convictions and core values are said to ‘speak from the heart’. They draw people toward them because those who hear them sense a genuineness”.  On that night, people experienced the heart of President Obama.  The heart for the nation, the heart for the people and his heart for future generations.  It was not mere words being spoken but they were supported by what we had witnessed in his “boots on the ground” approach to meeting with constituents and advocating for communities.  It is why to this day, when President Obama shows up in spaces or gives speeches, people still tune in because of his genuineness, compassion and conviction.

A Biblical Model for Inspirational Leadership

The example of the inspirational leader is not a new phenomenon.  When we read the story of Nehemiah, we find an example of a leader who was able to inspire.  Nehemiah was one of the people even though he did not live among the people.  At hearing the plight of the people of Jerusalem, Nehemiah prayed for a solution.  By praying for a solution, the burden of and for the people grew in his heart.

The Initiative One Leadership Institute states here are seven traits demonstrated by leaders who inspire.  Two of the traits are: 1) The leader clearly states vision, core values, and team norms and 2) The leader demonstrates centeredness.  They remain calm under stress, empathize, listen deeply and remain present.  Nehemiah demonstrated both of those traits.  He stated the facts of their situation, but he also provided a solution.  He told them “You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with it gates burned.  Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.”  He gave them a vision for the rebuilding project and gave them a future hope.

“Then I said to them, ‘You see the trouble we are in, how Jerusalem lies in ruins with its gates burned. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, so that we may no longer suffer disgrace.'” Nehemiah 2: 17 NRSV

While the state of their homeland appeared to be in ruins, Nehemiah did not allow it to shake his faith what was possible.  When the agitators showed up to try to derail the project, he did not allow it to cause him to abandon the mission.  Instead, he kept the people focused on the work and the future before them.

How Do We Become Leaders Who Inspire?

We each have the ability to be a leader who inspires.  Whether it is inspiring a team or an organization, we can develop the skills necessary to inspire.  Kendra Cherry says “Through strength of their vision and personality, transformational leaders are able to inspire followers to change expectations, perceptions and motivations to work towards common goals”.  The goal at the end of the day is to inspire people towards buying into the vision and working together to make it a reality.

How do we cultivate the practice of inspirational leadership? How do we model leadership that not only inspires but causes the leader in others to rise up?

• Use Head and Heart: One can have all the technical skills but if it is devoid of heart then it does not make the same impact. However, if one wants to reach people and achieve buy in, they have to reach the heart of people.
• See People as People and Not Commodities: To inspire one must see value in people. If they are only seen as means to an end, they will be treated as such.  To inspire others, one must value the people whom they seek to lead. Valuing people means being willing to develop them.  Valuing people means being willing to listen to them.  Valuing people means being willing to allow them to take ownership in the goal and its results.
• Give Others Hope: An inspiring leader must be able to paint a picture of a good future. Not giving those who follow a false sense of security or fluffy words.  The leader must give people something to work towards and something to believe in which leads to a better future.

Nehemiah successfully led from this mindset.  As he shared what God placed in his heart to do with the people and for their homeland, Nehemiah built a rapport of trust with the people.  In turn, the people said, “Let us start building”.  The people believed in the leader.  They believed in the vision.  They felt empowered to be a part of the work to bring the vision to pass.

“Then they said, ‘Let us start building!’” Nehemiah 2:18 NRSV

Each of us has the ability to inspire people towards a better future and to do a great work.  In order to begin the process, it starts with us.  It starts with us reframing our perspective of what it means to lead people.  When we change our perspective from leading in front of people to leading with people, our desire shifts to empower others to work alongside of us to bring the bigger vision to fruition.