Written by: Deneane Abed, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
As a female CEO, I know that inspiration is important to your team. Whether you're trying to motivate them or inspire them to do something incredible, it all starts with you. So here are some tips on how to be an inspiring leader! Inspiration is the key ingredient in any successful business but, what does it take for one person to become inspirational? Here are six steps towards being an inspiring leader!
1. Give positive reinforcement
Positive reinforcement is a powerful tool for managers who want to inspire their employees to do more than they think they can. The key is that the manager’s praise needs to be genuine and sincere, not just empty words or manipulation. A little bit of encouragement goes a long way in helping your team reach new heights. As a leader you can inspire your team to do more than they think with the power of positive thinking. Positive thinking isn't just about the glass being half full, it's also about how you communicate with your team. Your words have power and can inspire them to do more than they think is possible. The next time you go into a meeting or speak with one of your employees, make sure that you are using positive language because it will help them accomplish great things together as a team!
2. Be a leader, not a boss
It's not enough to know what's right for your business and how you want your employees to behave. You also need the skills required to lead them in that direction. And as a CEO, you're responsible for making sure those skills are well developed among all of your managers. Do you want to be a leader and not just a boss? It's okay if the answer is "not really." You're in good company. Many people struggle with this distinction between leadership and a boss. Leadership requires that we step out of our comfort zone, take risks, and lead by example. Boss’s care more about the numbers; then they do about their team’s growth or concerns. Basically, it's easier than leading. However, if your goal is success for yourself and your team, then you need to make sure you are spending most of your time on leadership activities instead of managing day-to-day tasks. Setting up your team for success and mastering effective leadership skills will help ensure the tasks are achieved while also relieving your workload.
3. Give credit where it's due
It's human nature to want credit for our successes and to deflect blame for our failures. We all have a bit of the ego in us, but that shouldn't prevent you from recognizing your employees when they do something right. It can be easy to overlook the small things, especially if you're busy with other tasks or are too close to an employee's work. However, these small steps towards success are just as important as larger milestones because they keep employees motivated and working hard every day. As a leader, you have to keep your team motivated and engaged. One of the best ways to do this is by recognizing their efforts and giving them credit where it's due. Recognizing someone for their hard work not only makes that person feel good about themselves, but also encourages others to step up and take more responsibility in order to get noticed as well. Take a look at some tips on how you can recognize the employees who deserve it!
4. Create an open environment
One of the most important aspects of a company is it's culture. This can be defined as "the way things are done around here." In order to succeed, you need employees that feel like they are part of something great not just someone you delegate tasks to. You want your employees to feel comfortable sharing their thoughts with management and other staff members because this leads to better communication, fewer mistakes, and happier workers. It's also incredibly difficult for people who don't know each other well enough to communicate effectively if they're afraid or uncomfortable speaking up when there's an issue. It is important for companies to have strong cultures where employees feel included and valued; however, it can be challenging at times due to differences between individuals working together on projects.
5. Encourage everyone to be creative
Most people think that CEOs are the only ones who can come up with new ideas, but this is not true. Employees at all levels should be encouraged to come up with their own creative ideas and solutions for company problems. This will help your employees develop skills they can use in other aspects of their lives as well as make them feel like they have a stake in the company's success. We all know that creativity can be the key to success. It's what helps us come up with innovative ideas and solutions, which is especially important in a competitive business environment. However, it isn't only the brainiacs who are coming up with new ideas - it's also your employees. Encourage everyone of your employees to be creative and come up with new ideas by promoting both individual as well as group brainstorming sessions where they feel free to share their thoughts without being judged or criticized. This will not only help you generate more creative ideas but will also foster an atmosphere of collaboration among your team members!
6. Provide opportunities for growth
Every company's goal is to have a workforce that is engaged in their work. Providing opportunities for growth by allowing employees take on projects outside of their job description can be one way to do this. This approach can help them become more well-rounded and increase morale, while also giving you the opportunity to see how they handle themselves in different situations. When you hire employees, it is important to provide them with opportunities for growth and development. This will allow them the chance to learn new skills and expand their knowledge base while also helping your company grow in different ways.
We are aware how important it is to be a leader instead of just being labeled as a boss. It’s so easy when we have the opportunity to motivate, inspire and encourage others who are working for us or with us. These six steps will help you create an environment in your online business that encourages creativity, innovation and growth in your team members while also providing opportunities for them outside of their responsibilities on a day-to-day basis. What steps will you implement today?
Deneane Abed, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Deneane Abed, is a business coach, expert in leadership and team alignment. She believes that when you have a team of people who are aligned with the organization's values, engaged in the work they're doing, and confident about their success - it creates an environment where everyone can achieve more than they thought was possible. She is the CEO of SUA VIDA, a business consulting company helping Female CEOs to develop effective leadership skills, high performing teams, and establish a healthy work-life balance. Deneane has over six years of leadership experience working in corporate America and understands the challenges facing today’s leaders. Prior to coaching she served as an operations director where she found her passion through managing her own team, mentoring other directors in her market, and worked with Fortune 500 companies’ business owners as well as their employees. During this time, she obtained her MBA from Albertus Magnus College. She is committed to empowering women in leadership and creating an environment where they can flourish by providing access to her proven strategies. She believes that together we can make this world better for our business and teams, but it all starts with us taking care of ourselves first! Her mission is to create more female leaders globally and is committed to the growth of their businesses. She provides successful results-driven outcomes to help female CEO’S fully step into their business owner role and manage their teams with ease. All while building exceptional company culture for their teams to align with the mission and vision of the business. Her coaching style is empowering, supportive, insightful, encouraging with a healthy dose of accountability to help you achieve your goals faster!