Be An Inspiring Student Leader

Business Week Magazine published an article online entitled, "The Seven Secrets of Inspiring Leaders." When you think about the kind of leadership you offer - do people follow you because they're inspired or do they follow in spite of your leadership?

Here's the seven ingredients that were listed (I offer my own comments after each one):

1. Demonstrate enthusiasm - constantly.
People don't like to follow someone who isn't excited about what's going on. If you're bored as a leader, just think how your people are feeling. You don't have to be giddy with excitement all the time, but you should be enthusiastic about what's going on right now.

2. Articulate a compelling course of action.
People want to know if what they're signing up for is worthwhile. Help them see the end result by painting a clear picture of your vision. Show them how they can get involved RIGHT NOW. Let them see the motivation behind everything your group is striving for.

3. Sell the benefit.
Most student-led organizations depend on volunteers to get their work done. That's why leadership is so important. You have to show others what the intrinsic motivation is for being involved. It's not about you...it's about them. Show them what they'll get out of being involved.

4. Tell more stories.
People relate better to stories. People are drawn into narratives. If you want to motivate, encourage, even train your people, use more stories in the process. They'll remember them better. Plus, they'll be able to pass them on more easily to others.

5. Invite participation.
One of the hallmark abilities of a successful student leader is the ability to get others involved. If you are doing everything yourself, you aren't leading. Find ways to get others involved and they'll have greater buy-in to your project or cause.

6. Reinforce and optimistic outlook.
Your attitude is contagious. Negativity breeds negativity. As the leader, you need to create a culture that recognizes and rewards positive thought and outlook. People are sure to complain, but you don't have to reward them for it.

7. Encourage potential.
Each person has unique strengths and talents. Find out what they are and figure out a way for them to be used. If someone is starting to show potential in a certain area, give them an opportunity to experiment in that area to see if they can improve.

Found via: The Practice of Leadership

Comments

[tim]

Thanks David. You're right. I'm discovering that there often isn't much difference between being a student leader and being a student of leadership. Thanks for the comments.

[David Zinger]

We are all students of leadership and this is a good post to remember what we can do.