How do you become a more inspiring leader? Start with being inspired.
Earlier in my career, discussing faith was avoided in the workplace. However, as mindfulness, diversity and cultural competence have become integrated into the mainstream, inclusive discussions about positivity, religion and spirituality have become opportunities for leaders to learn about their colleagues and their different paths to more inspiration and hope.
I believe anyone uncomfortable with the idea of faith in the workplace can learn how to authentically and productively have these conversations. It is a unique opportunity to strengthen your ability to become more inspired and to lead more effectively. In the Donnellan Leadership Method, faith is not synonymous with a particular religion or spirituality; it is simply a powerful and positive belief.
For some individuals, this belief comes from their families; for some, it can be found in religion; for others, it may come from a deeper connection with nature or art. Faith does not always have to come from an outside source; it can also be instilled by competence, trust, and understanding demonstrated by solid leadership.
Becoming a more inspiring leader begins with your exploration. It is hard to be a leader others look up to without understanding your sense of faith or powerful/positive belief. The leadership practice associated with the principle of faith is, Connect to inspiration. Understanding how to help people get inspired and stay inspired can unleash potential. Once you know how you find and foster hope, you can put more attention and graceful effort into learning how your stakeholders find and develop their faith.
If you are ready to lead discussions on faith at work, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Discussions of personal faith and what inspires people are sensitive; no one should feel obligated to participate/disclose information if they are uncomfortable, whether in a one-to-one meeting or a group.
2. Understand your biases about religion and spirituality before you lead a discussion, and if necessary, get support from an HR professional before you open the topic.
3. Bring a foundation of curiosity and respect to the discussions and ask other participants to do the same.
Leader Activities
1. The best way to start this journey is to ask yourself two questions:
· What is the most powerful positive belief I have?
· What is the best practice for strengthening that positive belief?
Here are five examples to get you started:
· Positive belief: I make better decisions and have more patience when I meditate. Practice: I will spend 20 minutes meditating three times a week.
· Positive Belief: My most important role in life is being the best and most present mother I can be. Practice: I will spend at least 30 minutes a day playing with one or more of my children without my cell phone nearby.
· Positive Belief: God and my spiritual community are at my center, fueling my ability to be of service and at peace. Practice: I will attend church every Sunday and volunteer once a quarter.
· Positive Belief: Nature is where I find my center. Practice: I will begin each day outside and plan a hiking weekend each quarter with my friends.
· Positive Belief: When I am being creative, I feel most alive. Practice: In addition to my paid creative work, I will create two art projects a year for my enjoyment.
2. Write about how your positive beliefs and practices connect to being your best leader at work.
3. In preparation for starting a conversation about faith and inspiration with your team, think about each one and write your best guess about what inspired them in preparation for the team activity.
Team Activities:
1. Introduce your experience of faith and inspiration and how it connects to doing your best work.
2. Have your team write down the answers to three questions: (Let them know they do NOT have to share their responses. Share your examples or examples from the above leader activities if helpful.)
· What is the most powerful/ positive belief I have?
· What is the best practice I have for strengthening that positive belief?
· How do this belief and practice connect to me doing my best work?
3. Lead a discussion on how you can all support each other in having more faith, hope and inspiration as individuals and as a team.
4. Optional: Have people who are comfortable sharing their positive beliefs and practice. (No Pressure.)
5. Have one-on-one meetings with each person on your team to discuss what inspires them and compare their answers to your guesses from above to test how well you know your teammates.
Learn more about becoming a more effective leader in future installments of this series.
Read the full article here
