- "If
your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and
become more, you are a leader."
-
--- John Quincy Adams
How
to Inspire Your Team
by
Francine R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE
It's
the start of the new year and a lot of people I know were feeling a bit
subdued as a result of a nationally tense 2004. The Tsunami tragedy that
hit Southeast Asia ten days ago, however, has diverted our attention and
confronted us with a poignant moment of enormous human loss and
sadness. We awakened our natural inclination to reach out with
genuine compassion and we mobilized to share our resources.
Situations
like that put things in perspective. We suddenly find ourselves
feeling "in abundance" when just a month ago we may have felt
constrained or lacking.
We
suddenly find ourselves appreciating our family, our colleagues, our
place in life right now, when just a month ago we may have felt
impatient and distracted.
Holding
on to Compassion
Is
there a way to hold on to compassion, a perspective of gratitude, and
sincere appreciation for others? As a leader of your practice,
staff or team, is there even an advantage to creating or
fostering this "zone of compassion?"
Indeed
there is an advantage to lead from compassion and appreciation. Namely,
if you want to truly inspire your
team to learn, to grow and to do more. Compassion is at the heart of inspired
and inspiring leadership.
Inspiring
vs. Motivating
What's
the difference between "inspiring" and "motivating?"
When
you "motivate" your team, you are creating conditions which
compel them to act according to your plan.
When
you "inspire" your team, they are acting in alignment with
their own self-interests and values.
One
of the greatest gifts you can offer others is to inspire them. This
doesn't mean standing up on soap box and giving an inspirational speech.
Inspiring others is a lot simpler than that---and the first step is
getting off the soap box.
Three
Key Components of "Inspiration"
Inspiring
your team, your staff, or your colleagues can be accomplished by committing
to these three actions:
-
Care
about them - Connect first with genuine interest in
them. Inquire about them, their family, their work. Ask
their opinion and fully listen. They want to know that you
care about them and perspective before they'll give much regard to
what you know or what your vision is.
-
Be
inspired yourself - Instill in yourself the infectious
energy of imagination, new learning and wonder. Feed yourself with a
broad range of articles, books, and courses to keep your thinking
fresh and inspired.
-
Encourage
others with your words and actions - Ask others to take
on a new challenge that draws on their unique strengths.
Encourage them often. Learn to communicate so that your energy
is high---your personal "light bulb of inspiration" is
turned up fully and in an authentic way.
Once
you implement these three strategies, you will become the model of
inspiration. Once you set the tone, others will emulate the
model. This is how the "zone of appreciation" is created
and fostered. This is leadership at its best.
I
encourage you to take on this challenge of inspiring others this coming
year. It will take a few new skills to practice, plus a commitment
to be a consistent model all the time. Contact me if you want to
explore further how to get started.
Francine
R. Gaillour, MD, MBA, FACPE is an executive coach and business
consultant. She is president of The Gaillour Group and director
of Creative Strategies in Physician Leadership. Dr. Gaillour is
a professional speaker on healthcare leadership, cultural change
and physician career development.
She
can be reached at (888) 562-7289 or francine@physicianleadership.com
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