Inspirational Leadership: Insight into Action

What is Inspirational Leadership?

Research has shown that effective leaders work in ALL of the four dimensions of leadership – 'creating the future'; 'enthusing, growing and appreciating (engaging) others'; 'clarifying values' and 'ideas to action'.

However, we also know that people are naturally stronger in some dimensions than in others. Leaders build on their strengths and leverage these to enable them to work in ways that come less naturally to them.

Thus, for example, people who are strongest in 'creating the future' - and less strong in 'ideas to action' - may be driven to make things happen because they find the possibilities for the future so compelling.

Similarly people who are strong in 'clarifying values', and less strong in 'enthusing, growing and appreciating others' will invest in people because they believe it is the right thing to do.



Source: Claret

About the Inspirational Leadership: Insight to Action tool

During 2004 the DTI, partnering with the Chartered Management Institute, conducted one of the largest ever studies of workers in the UK to ask them what inspired them to follow leaders.

The Inspirational Leadership: Insight to Action tool is based on these research findings and its purpose is to enable leaders to be clearer about their most natural leadership styles and strengths so that they can shape their roles and those of their team accordingly.

The emphasis is to raise awareness of strengths in leadership.

Click here to download a sample report


Example report scoring



How to Interpret the reports

Your Top Six Attributes

Recognise the power of using your strongest attributes to make your leadership more inspiring. We cannot over-emphasize the importance of shaping your leadership more and more around who you naturally are – without being complacent about areas of lower natural strength. As you read through the suggestions below, note ideas you can implement to maximise your strengths.

Example Attribute feedback: Enthusiastic Learner
Indicates a natural curiosity and love of learning about new things. Those with this ability have a natural attraction to new ideas, and they enjoy bouncing these off others and thinking laterally. They will also enjoy initiating new projects.

To make good use of this strength, consider the following:

bulletTake opportunities for new learning relevant to your work.
bulletYou are likely to find short-to-medium-term project work, where there are 'new beginnings', energising.
bulletDo find other 'ideas people' to work with and share ideas with. They will give you energy.
bulletHelp others to think laterally about problems and seek opportunities to provide creative solutions to move things forward.


Your Four Lowest Scoring Attributes

No-one is good at everything and yet leaders have to demonstrate effectiveness in all aspects of leadership. You can 'cover off' areas of lower natural strength in a number of ways:

bulletBy partnering with people with complementary strengths.
bulletBy using your stronger attributes to 'manage around' areas of lower natural strength
bulletBy taking 'corrective' action to get to a level of competence - recognising that this will never be an area for you to 'major in'.

As you read through the following ideas do focus, on things you can do to 'raise your game' and bring you closer to a level of competence - recognising that your greatest opportunities to be successful and make a difference will come through building your role as much as you can around your strengths.


Example Attribute feedback: Legacy Builder

This describes a capacity to be constantly thinking forward, to be planning in time zones beyond their own tenure in the role. Those with this capacity want to build sustainability, to leave a legacy that will outlast them. Consider the following to 'raise your game':

bulletWhen did you last talk to someone about what you want the organisation to look like in 5 years time?
bulletDo you know who the future 'stars', or key players in your organisation are? How could you develop them and secure their future in the organisation?
bulletIdentify the three or four key things that need to be attended to, to sustain your organisation for the next five to ten years. How can these priorities be addressed? What responsibility should you take here and who else needs to be involved?


What to do next

If you are interested in obtaining a free assessment and report please email enquiries@mrjconsulting.co.uk for an access code.

Once you have the access code – you will be directed to the Inspirational Leadership website.

Visit the website, enter your access code and complete the online assessment.

You can download the report (PDF format).

Read through the findings and use it to identify leadership strengths. The report will give you some suggestions on how to make best use of these strengths.

The report will also identify lower scoring attributes- these may be helpful in identifying development opportunities.

You have the option of having a 1 to 1 feedback session with a qualified Inspirational Leadership: Insight to Action facilitator.

This is usually conducted face to face and takes about an hour. There is a cost involved (please contact us for further information) email: enquiries@mrjconsulting.co.uk

 

Send mail to enquiries@mrjconsulting.co.uk with questions or comments about this web site.
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