Some people are inspired by what they read: histories of organizations that overcome obstacles, biographies of gifted leaders, fables that illustrate deep truths. Some people can even be inspired by financial analysis.
Some people draw inspiration from their own experiences. They “just fall into” a career. They become a member of a team, or work with a supervisor, and it sparks a fire in their heart.
Some may be inspired by the examples of people around them. Some draw their inspiration primarily from within themselves.
For me, leadership is inspired by people. The key to inspiring leadership is people translating core values and vision into action.
The people who inspire my leadership are the people who refuse to stop.
The people who inspire me may not be reasonable. They persist and persevere, even where there is little hope they can succeed. They are committed to making their values work in real life, unwilling to accept anything less.
They remind me of my favorite story about the people who set out into the wilderness and began Western monastic life.
One day Abba Joseph said to Abba Lot, “You cannot be a monk unless you become like a consuming fire.”
Abba Lot later went back to see Abba Joseph and said to him, “Abba, as far as I can I say my little office. I fast a little, I pray and meditate, I live in peace as far as I can, I purify my thoughts. What else can I do?”
Then the old man stood up and stretched his hands towards heaven. His fingers became like ten lamps of fire and he said to him, “If you will, you can become all flame.”
The leaders who inspire me are becoming all flame.
How are you becoming all flame today?
[Image by VinothChandar]
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