Inspiring Leadership, Enthusiasm – and the 4 Ls
“Leadership is what you – with enthusiasm – do with and for others to inspire the creation of purpose, engagement & value”.
This is the definition of leadership we use and share with you, and why:
With others obviously as leadership is not done alone
For others obviously because as leader you are in the service industry
Enthusiasm is the engine and the fuel
On with and for: Of the two leadership metaphors in the illustration above we prefer the one on the right. Both are performance and results driven, but on the right; all are focusing forward towards the goal. They have fun along the way. The leader is actively participating and not at least: the context (the water) is rough, constantly changing and with challenges along the way. The latter is the case for all of us today. Change will never be so slow again.
On Enthusiasm: I read that one origin of the word Enthusiasm is from Greek: “En Theos” – the god inside. Hence enthusiasm in leadership can be to use your inner divine and strength to find the inner uniqueness and strength in others.
Enthusiasm can make people listen, lighten up, levitate towards new heights and lead self and others towards achievement.
Listen not only because of your role, but because of the way you come over
Lighten up because it sparks energy and innovation inside
Levitate because it lifts up towards action and
Leadership because it provides direction for self and team
Sometimes it needs to be channeled and as Goethe pointed out: it need constant fuel. “In the realm of ideas everything depends on enthusiasm…. In the real world all rests on perseverance” Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
“Enthusiasm is the yeast that makes your hopes shine to the stars. Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eyes, the swing in your gait. The grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of will and energy to execute your ideas” Henry Ford
And finally: we lead to create results, but in addition we create purpose and engagement. This trio is magic!
