Good morning beautiful people! Today's inspiration is brought to you by my Winter Night candle (yes, I am eagerly anticipating the first snow), my 90's R & B playlist, and...peppermint mocha coffee!!!
I will never forget the first time someone asked me what kind of leader I wanted to be. It was January 2013 and I had just started a leadership development program. At the time, everything was new. New city due to temporary relocation. New company due to being acquired.
I was intimidated by this question and the need to say the right thing. After all I wanted to impress. But when the time came for me to answer the question, my response was this.
"I want to be an inspirational leader."
Now at that time, I had no idea what that looked like or if that could or should even show up in a corporate environment. My assumption was that business was all about P&Ls, bottom lines, earnings and results. I honestly didn't think those things and inspiration could coexist in the same building. My journey since then has proven me wrong time and time again.
Since making that proclamation, I have witnessed inspirational leaders here and abroad. I have witnessed people will others into defeating the odds, doing the impossible, innovating beyond imagination and executing on remarkable things during trying times.
Oxford Dictionaries defines inspiration in part as "an act of breathing in." (2021) It also referred to "respiration" as a synonym.
Upon reading that, I instantly thought about CPR and the act of breathing air into another person's lungs to revive and restore life.
I can't think of a better analogy to describe what inspirational leadership is.
Inspirational leaders have the privilege and the obligation to breathe life in to others. To impart hope, courage, bravery, understanding, empathy and love.
To revive.
To restore.
And as an inspirational leader, nothing is more important to me than breathing life in to those around me, making an impact and leaving a legacy that empowers, enlightens, and encourages all.
Bringing you today's moment in a mug as a reminder that even in the face of getting business done, driving for the bottom line, and delivering results you can still handle people with care.
Be determined to breathe life in to those you come in contact with. Don't suffocate them.
Restore. Revive. Empower. Enlighten. Encourage. Happy Thursday!