I’ve been in the workforce in one capacity or another for 50-years. Recently, I tried to figure out how many people I had worked for over that half a century. I listed each one on a piece of paper and ended up with 30 names. Then I thought about each leader. Which ones made me want to follow them? Who stood out as a leader that truly inspired me?

For each name on my list, I asked myself, “Was this leader someone I wanted to get away from? Someone I tolerated as a leader?” Or, “Was this a leader who really made me want to follow them?”

As I looked back over my list, there were only three leaders whom I wanted to get away from as fast as possible.  Twenty-two leaders were so-so. And only five leaders over 50-years inspired me and made me want to follow them.

Thinking more about those five exceptional leaders, I realized they all:

1) Made me feel valued,

2) Inspired me to do my best work, and

3) Empowered me to take risks and stretch my skills.

As only a pastor can do, Craig Groeschel spoke about this very topic of exceptional leaders at the 2018 Global Leadership Summit.  He said a leader whom people want to follow has three characteristics; they have a heart to care about people, they have a passion to inspire others, and they have a willingness to let go of authority to empower employees.

Heart to Care

Leaders who care about employees demonstrate such by noticing what they do and letting them know that what they do matters to the organization.

Writing to the Thessalonians, Paul said, because Christ died for us we should care for and build each other up.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:11).

Leaders whom people want to follow have no problem demonstrating how much they care for the people in their organizations. They build up their employees by encouraging them, noticing what they do, and letting them know their contribution is valuable.

Passion to Inspire

Exceptional leaders are passionate about inspiring employees. According to a 2016 study by Bain & Company, inspired employees are twice as productive as employees who are merely “satisfied.”

Writing to the Philippians, Paul warned them not to think too highly of themselves but to consider others even more important.

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3).

Employees are inspired by humble leaders who see their employees as valued contributors critical to the success of the organization.

Willingness to Empower

Command and control was the name of the game for the post-WWII military trained leaders. Today’s enlightened leaders are focused on pushing authority down. They delegate authority to empower employees.

Command and control leaders see themselves as knowing more and do better than their employees. Leaders whom people want to follow, empower their employees.

Paul empowered his protégée, Timothy, to carry on the work of spreading the Gospel. Paul stressed Timothy should also train and empower others to do the same.

“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Leaders whom people want to follow push authority down, empowering their employees to take risks and stretch their skills.

So, if you want to be a leader whom other people want to follow then:

1) Have a heart to care. Make every employee feel valued.

2) Have a passion to inspire. Be humble and let people know how important they are to the success of the organization.

3) Have a willingness to empower. Release your authority to others so they can grow and reach their full potential.

Join the Conversation

As always, questions and comments are welcome. Are there leaders who inspired you to do your best work? What made inspiring leaders different from other leaders you know?

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Category: Skills | Leadership Development