How to Inspire Your People
4 Steps to Transformational Leadership

Are your people fiercely loyal, and successful as a team? Or, are they disengaged and performing poorly?

You can inspire your team to perform at new levels of excellence with transformational leadership. So, what is it?

"Transformational leadership occurs when... leaders and followers raise one another to higher levels of motivation and morality." - leadership expert James McGregor Burns (1918-2014). [1]

Transformational leaders set high standards and lead by example. They encourage their people to perform above what they thought possible.

There are 4 steps you can take to become a transformational leader.

1: Create an Inspiring Vision of the Future.

Remind your team of your organization's vision, and help members understand that their work has real purpose. Do this often.

2: Motivate Your Team to Buy Into and Deliver the Vision.

Appeal to people's values. Tell them where you're going to lead them and why. Link your vision to their daily goals and tasks.

3: Manage Delivery of the Vision.

To make your vision a reality, make sure everyone knows their roles and responsibilities. And stay visible and available to your team.

4: Build Stronger, Trust-Based Relationships With Your People.

Transformational leaders build ever-stronger teams, by helping their people to achieve their goals and dreams. They are honest and open in their interactions.

And remember, to be a transformational leader, you have to "walk the talk." You have to live up to the same high standards you expect of your team members.


References

[1] Burns, J.M. (1978) 'Leadership,' New York: Harper and Row.


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