In an effective organisation, managers and leaders have a key role in influencing the culture and climate of the organisation. According to The Council for Excellence in Management and Leadership, an inspirational leader should:
- Create a sense of vision in a fast changing environment.
- Motivate people and lead them through change.
- Be innovative in products and services and ways of working.
From a wide ranging review of previous studies, and their own research, the DTI and Chartered Management Institute identify six recurring features of inspirational leaders:
- They genuinely care: they approach work and their colleagues with openness and honesty and both inspire, and invest trust.
- They involve everybody: offering people both the support they need to be effective, and the freedom to put it into practice.
- They listen a lot: to peers, subordinates and customers.
- They show lots of appreciation: including small gestures.
- They ensure work is fun: by celebrating achievement and using lively social events to reward effort and commitment.
- Along with their people, they are deeply committed: they are passionate about the organisation and its work, and always looking for opportunities to improve.
Investors in People challenges top managers to become role models for inspirational leadership, encouraging others to share their vision and follow their lead. For more information on how we can help you to encourage inspirational leadership within your organisation, register for Interactive here.
Interactive is a free online advice tool which features a simple diagnostic, plus a wide range of case studies, good practice downloads and hints and tips.