💫 What a stonesman can teach us about inspired leadership. It’s an essential ingredient for extraordinary leadership

I’ve heard from leaders the past few weeks how a big miss upon their return to work was the element of inspiration.

Inspiration is like oxygen to our cells - it energizes us and sustains us.

I’m also aware of the deep level of cynicism that has tucked itself in around us.

• “I hate icebreakers”

• “Just tell me what I need to know so I can get to work.”

• “Don’t waste my time with fluff.”

So it’s possible we each have some culpability in our current environment.

As I’ve mulled this over, I’ve become more and more convicted that inspiration is our duty as leaders.

We HAVE to be able to cast a vision of an enchanting destination and make the journey a worthwhile adventure.

And sure enough, after a week or so of wanting to stand on my soap box yelling the charge, “Inspire your people, gosh darn it!”

I lost my inspiration.

• Work hit a snag.

• A home project fell apart.

• Getting my kids settled in new schools wore me out.

And I spent a day thinking about what a phoney I am. I can’t even inspire myself. I have nothing inspiring to say.

And in my weariness, I looked for the tools that I’ve learned to help me feel just a bit better. I vented to a trusted person, took short walks often, breathed deeply into my belly, hummed(vagus nerve stimulating), got to bed earlier, and did good work with clients I love.

And, amazingly, I felt better.

I felt like I could recommit to my own inspiration.

It’s left me wondering if what we’ve lost sight of in our super saturated world that talks about trauma and healing and regulation is that we do those things in order to step back into the life and work we care deeply about.

Guess what?

I’m back to banging my drum that as leaders we need to be Inspiration Captains - of our teams, our school, our departments, and ourselves.

Feeling the electric pulse of possibility, challenge, and excitement - it makes for good work!

So let’s lead with inspiration and when that feels out of reach, let’s take good care of ourselves and lean into tools that heal and nourish.

Here are some questions to get your inspiration juices flowing:

• If this year was a 10/10, better than I ever thought possible, what does that look like?

• If I fell more or back in love with my work, what would I say were the best parts of my job?

• If my team created transformation, how do I see each person uniquely contributing to that outcome?

• Write an inspired vision for yourself. Include personal and professional growth.

• Write an inspired vision for your team. Share it with them. Encourage them to build upon it.

I’ll leave you with this anecdote about two stonemasons. 

Someone asks these masons, "What are you doing?" The first mason says, "I'm building a wall." The other mason says, "I'm building a towering cathedral."

That’s the difference between average leadership and visionary leadership. 

Cheering you on, my friends!

Maggie

PS - I’m the coach that knows how to teach you to take good care of yourself when your inspiration falters.  Together we work to get you well so you can stay in the game of creating “towering cathedrals.”  Right now I’m offering a free 60 min coaching session so you can experience the power of holistic leadership coaching.  Book your spot HERE.  I can’t wait to meet you!