To lead is to influence people to act. Leadership can take many forms; authority- and power-based leadership styles which differ greatly from relational and inspiration-based leadership style- both in their approach and methods. While different situations may call for various leadership styles, this article aims to persuade the reader that, in the evolving workplace that we have today, inspirational leadership may be the best way forward.
Let’s first delve deeper into authority-based leadership before evaluating inspirational leadership. Leading through authority often involves an underlying fear or threat that determines the actions of subordinates. While authoritative leadership can be effective for routine tasks and structured processes, it fails to tap into the full creative potential of followers. A constant fear of reprimand and the pressure to appease authority can stifle innovation.
As technology continues to automate routine tasks, leaders must develop strategies to empower employees, enabling them to fully engage in problem-solving and creative thinking—both of which are essential for driving innovation. For this we require leaders who inspire and foster an environment of trust and creativity. Here are some main reasons for the change in leadership style.
So, in the face of rapid change, the role of a leader, then, is to guide followers by creating an inspiring vision that resonates with them and empowering them to develop solutions.
An inspirational leadership approach is one of letting go of control and trusting the capabilities of individuals. It depends on fostering an environment where creativity, collaboration, and innovation thrive. This can be achieved only by recognizing and valuing people and allowing them to contribute meaningfully to the organization.
Inspirational leadership has played a significant role in organizational turnarounds. Howard Schultz’s leadership during Starbucks’ 2008 revival is a testament to how vision and engagement can reignite a struggling business, even amidst economic recession. Similarly, Carlos Ghosn’s leadership at Nissan in the late 1990s turned the company’s bleak future around. Ghosn energized the workforce, encouraged participation at all levels, and made Nissan profitable within a year. Authority alone could not have achieved such transformations—it solely the ability to inspire that got the people to align toward a goal, in the face of adversity and failure.
Inspirational leadership transforms individuals, bringing out their best and fostering a culture of innovation and resilience.
To an inspirational leader, employees are no longer merely workers responsible for completing tasks, but creative powerhouses who can solve problems and innovate
Individuals and teams are fuelled by emotions. Effective leaders create environments that promote innovation, commitment and trust by setting clear values and vision and building a culture of innovation. To achieve this the leader has to focus on building passion, team spirit, and psychological safety within team and reinforce the commitment to build this culture by clear actions. High levels of emotional intelligence is now prime requirement for leaders. Successful leadership requires high emotional intelligence to identify and eliminate hidden resistance factors that hinder progress.
In today’s world of uncertainty—marked by crises, wars, rapid technological advancements, and political upheavals—leaders must cultivate adaptability and agility within their teams. Even a slight resistance can delay responses and suppress creativity. Leaders must master the pulse of their organizations and guide their teams by reinforcing values, fostering innovation, and preparing for environmental changes.
Modern leaders face uncertainty and upheaval, requiring them to inspire action rather than rely solely on authority. Inspirational leadership holds the promise of unlocking human creativity and solving unprecedented challenges. Leaders who aim to inspire must build emotional intelligence, maintain clarity of vision, and establish strong values to ensure authenticity in their interactions.
