Motivating leader or inspirational leader?

When we build a team, what we look for as a priority, often even beyond talent, is motivation. And for existing teams, leaders try to keep them motivated. Furthermore, when a member loses this quality, it is sometimes very difficult to reactivate it.

Unfortunately, sometimes we forget how motivation really works. Furthermore, we often confuse motivation and inspiration. However, these two words have quite different meanings.

“Motivation is when you take hold of an idea and see it through to its conclusion, and inspiration is when an idea grabs you and takes you where you intend to go.” Doctor Wayne Dyer

Motivation or inspiration?

To define motivation it is important to start from the etymology of the term: motivation derives from the word «motive», in turn borrowed from the Latin «motivus» which means «mobile» and «movere» whose equivalent in French is mouvoir. In Old French it meant “that which sets in motion”.

And that’s exactly what a leader needs to motivate his team: motivation!

In fact, on a personal level, if you have to go and do physical activity, you have to find a reason, a reason to take action and do sport. You may therefore want to lose weight, get into good physical shape or simply clear your mind. And this applies to every aspect of our lives.

The source of your motivation is reasonthe motive, the reason why you act.

Inspiration, on the other hand, is a process. A book can inspire you, a speaker, music, a discussion between friends, a particular person. Inspiration touches you inside, creates an inner feeling, a state of excitement, productivity, determination, etc. Inspiration produces passion.

The word “inspiration” comes from the Latin “inspirare” which means “aspiration”, in the sense of breath. We designate inspiration as something external to our will, like a breath that comes to produce something inside us. Previously it was called «movements of the soul due to divine influence” (Cambridge Psalter, 17, 15 ds T.-L.)

Therefore, inspiration comes from the outside but makes us feel a particular feeling inside, while motivation is something external that pushes us to act.

Inspiration is a driving force, while motivation is a driving force.

But don’t think that motivation is for the lazy among us, to push them to do what needs to be done, and that inspiration is for productive and creative people.

We all need one or the other at specific times in our lives.

Let’s take a concrete example.

Motivation — In three months we will launch a new product. This is an important step in the life of our company and we cannot afford not to be fully productive and creative. The pace will be faster than usual.

The “reason” here is to fully enter a new season of business. The reason why we act is that this crucial period could be extremely beneficial for our project and therefore for each of the employees.

Inspiration— We are at the dawn of a turning point in the history of our company. We will not simply continue to do what we know how to do, but we will go further. This is the DNA of our company: to push the limits, produce new things, change the lives of our customers and make an impact in our sector of business.

“To truly inspire your team, you must live an inspired life.” –

The driving force produced by inspiration pushes us to go beyond our limits, escape the status quo and join our team’s desires for personal fulfillment.

There is no comparison between motivation and inspiration. These are two different tools that aim to push you forward. A bit like the two oars of a boat.

Motivation feels like someone is pushing you. An inspiring leader helps you bring out the best in you.

A motivating leader pushes his team to do more, an inspiring leader gets the best out of his team.

Employees who describe themselves as “inspired” are more than twice as productive as employees who describe themselves as “satisfied.”

When you have a vision as a leader, you are clear about what you are trying to accomplish. You care about the people around you. Live the vision. It is not necessary to inspire with speeches. Your presence – who you are – inspires! It is not necessary to have a title. You don’t need to be a gifted speaker. You don’t need to have a big budget or nice offices. You need a vision worth following!

Motivation is the engine, inspiration is the fuel that powers it.

Cultivate inspiration

According to an IBM study of 1,700 CEOs in 64 countries, one of the top three qualities a leader can possess is the ability to inspire people to take action. Your growth as a leader has a direct impact on your organization’s behavior, culture, and ultimately, the bottom line.

Employees who work for an inspiring leader are enthusiastic, encouraged, energized, motivated and engaged. They believe that what they do matters, that they make a difference. This is an area where many leaders need to improve.

«Facts don’t move people to action. Emotions move people to action.»

Luckily, it’s a skill that can be learned and developed. We become inspiring, we are not born that way.For some it is easier than for others, but everyone can improve their skills in this area. But for this you need to discover your own approach, your own style.

Knowing yourself well is the basis of balanced leadership. Knowing who we are, being aware of our strengths and limitations helps us become better leaders.

Bain Company research found that there are 33 key characteristics possessed by inspiring leaders (see the full infographic at the bottom of this article). It would obviously be difficult to find a leader who possesses these 33 characteristics, but these are the ones mentioned most often among the 2,000 employees surveyed about what makes an inspirational leader.

Here are some paraphrased versions of some of these traits: emotional expression, positive attitude, being able to keep your word, appreciating your team, leading with humility, expressing empathy, leading a team, having a vision, listening to and valuing those you lead, etc.

You might look at this list and think that maybe you only have one or two of these strengths. Don’t be discouraged. Here’s what research has also shown: You only need one or two well-developed strengths to inspire people. So, identify your three most inspiring character traits!

Remember, you don’t have to know everything to be a great leader! Be yourself. People would rather follow a leader who is always real than a leader who is always right.

TO GO BEYOND

Here’s an exercise you can do to grow as a leader:

1. This is a delicate exercise, but ask those around you, those who work with you, which values ​​they detect in you among those listed in the infographic below. Often they will tell you that you are good at something you didn’t even know you were. Or maybe you knew it but didn’t value it. Identify your leadership traits and build on them!
2. What can you do to leverage these qualities consistently across your team? Here are some ideas: write notes for your team members, walk with them to take time to appreciate them in person, record and send them weekly videos, take your team members to lunch, find a new creative way to hear feedback from your team,…

Be motivating… but above all inspiring! And remember, in this area, who we are speaks louder than words!