How Leaders Inspire and Influence Others

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To inspire and influence others, a leader must have many skills and abilities. As motivational speaker Jim Rohn, states, “ the challenge of leadership is to be strong, but not rude; be kind, but not weak; be bold, but not bully; be thoughtful, but not lazy; be humble, but not timid; be proud, but not arrogant; have humor, but without folly.” (2010) Moving an entire group of individuals toward a singular goal is a considerable undertaking. Without effective communication skills and a clear vision of what needs to be accomplished, one will feel like they are trying to herd cats rather than leading. Effective communication encompasses many concepts. For a leader to be effective, one must be able to build relationships between different parties. In order to build a good rapport, one must be able to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of those involved, and within oneself. Acknowledging these differences will allow for a better collaboration between team members. A leader must also have the ability to put conflict resolution theories into practice. Allowing differing points of view may challenge the original idea and will make for a more thorough decision making process. Although this may seem counterproductive, it actually ensures the best possible outcome. One must be consistent in the message presented yet be flexible, approachable and maintain a positive attitude. Allowing for different perspectives to be heard will allow team members to feel valued. This flexibility helps to solidify the concept that everyone is in this together; thus establishing an environment where all team members can have a buy-in. Encouraging team members to voice opinions and give feedback produces an atmosphere of constructive give-and-take; a real t... ... middle of paper ... ...ngaging us in thinking about problems and solutions outside of our regular duties, he is readying us for promotional advances. He furthers our professional growth by maintaining an environment conducive for learning and personal advancement. Knowing he sees our potential and believes we have the ability to not only meet, but exceed the goals set is very encouraging. Works Cited Gage, Kathleen. Enterprise/Salt Lake City, 8/4/2003, Vol. 33 Issue 6, p14-14, 1/2p. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. Rohn, J. (2010). Inspiration, Motivation, Information – Personal Development Blog. Retrieved from http://www.personal-development-training.com/2010/02/jim-rohn-quotes.html#Jim-Rohn-Quotes-on-Leadership-and-Management Zenger, John H.; Folkman, Joseph.(7/2004) Inspire People to Perform. Executive Excellence, Vol. 21 Issue 7, p14-14. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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