To be inspired and to inspire 

There are two ways in which we can be persuaded to do something, we can either be manipulated by fear and/or incentives or we can be inspired. The former does not bread loyalty or trust, and it means that the manipulations have to be repeated again and again. Whether this is used in a workplace to keep the staff in line or whether it is used to get the most customers, the whole process is tiring and is often not strictly ethical.

Inspiring people is a much better way to get people to do what you want. But how do you inspire someone? What you need is a vision of how things could be. Then you create a safe space where you take care of those around you and allow them to take the vision and make it their own. You might be thinking that this all sounds well and good for a CEO or a Manager, but not for you. I would argue that inspiring others into action is something we can all do.

To develop our own vision we need to be inspired ourselves. Spending time seeking wisdom is a good way to do this. We can read books, watch YouTube videos or listen to podcasts. We can find a mentor to help us find our path.

Often it is what we think, say and do towards our vision that sends signals to others, whose values and beliefs align with our vision. This causes them to become inspired to make changes in their own lives.

It is difficult to be inspired and to inspire but it can be done. However, we don’t have to be a Martin Luther King or Steve Jobs to inspire others. We can inspire those around us by being inspired ourselves and striving towards our vision. We are all inspired by those who strive for an ideal that makes the lives of others better and who takes care of those around them, and then we can make this cause our own and we then inspire others by our words and actions. This is something we can all do.

What is it that inspires you?