Who inspired you the most?
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Maybe it was a teacher who believed in you when no one else did. Or a parent who quietly showed what resilience really means. Or a boss who didn’t just delegate but walked with you through thick and thin. In our work with teams and leaders across industries, we’ve seen one truth emerge time and again: inspiration is deeply personal, and yet universally powerful. It fuels belief, builds trust, and transforms ordinary efforts into extraordinary outcomes.
As leaders, the opportunity to inspire is not a privilege – it’s a responsibility. In our experience at FocusU, especially through our learning and development interventions, we’ve noticed that when leaders show up with the right mindset and behaviours, teams respond with commitment, ownership, and yes -inspiration.
So, if you’re a leader wondering how to light that spark in your team, here are 10 powerful ways to do just that – drawn from what we’ve seen work in real organisations with real people.
Related Reading: 10 Essential Leadership Qualities
1. Embrace Servant Leadership
Inspire by leading from the back. Servant leadership is not about putting your team’s needs above yours; it’s about aligning their growth with the goals of the organisation. In our facilitation sessions, we’ve seen how impactful it is when leaders genuinely listen and remove roadblocks rather than just assign tasks. When people feel supported, they rise higher.
2. Paint a Compelling Vision (and Make It SMART)
A clear vision is like a lighthouse. It doesn’t steer the ship, but it keeps the crew aligned. We’ve worked with teams where just defining a specific, measurable goal – say, improving customer satisfaction by 15% in the next quarter – boosted morale and motivation. Kennedy’s vision of putting a man on the moon wasn’t just inspiring – it was actionable. Let your team see how their work ties into something larger.
Related Reading: How A Visionary Leader Can Enable Innovation?
3. Walk the Floor, Not Just the Talk (MBWA)
Management by Walking Around may sound old-school, but in our experience, it’s timeless. Leaders who regularly engage with their teams – ask questions, offer support, or just say hello – build an unshakeable connection. It signals that you care, and that makes a difference.
4. Find Excuses to Cheer
Recognition doesn’t need a reason. Small wins, effort, even a kind gesture between teammates deserve a cheer. We once facilitated a session where a simple act of appreciation led to a chain reaction of shoutouts across the company. Positive energy is contagious – let it spread.
5. Invest in People Development – Genuinely
Real development isn’t just sending someone to a training program. It’s taking the time to have feedback conversations, share growth paths, and provide mentorship. In our work, we’ve seen organisations benefit tremendously from leaders who coach rather than critique. Feedback, when done right, is one of the most inspiring gifts.
Related Reading: Active Listening : An Underrated Skill Of 21st Century
6. Take the Flak (and Give the Credit)
True leadership shows when things go wrong. We’ve seen trust skyrocket when a manager took responsibility for a missed deadline, even though it wasn’t entirely their fault. Later, during success celebrations, they gave the entire spotlight to the team. That’s how loyalty is built.
7. Get in the Trenches
Leaders who roll up their sleeves and contribute in moments of pressure earn deep respect. It’s one thing to lead from a conference room – it’s quite another to help the team fix a client crisis or stay back to meet a deadline. In one of our workshops, a young manager shared how working side-by-side with his team during a product launch earned him more trust than months of delegation ever had.
8. Remove the Free Riders (Kindly but Firmly)
We’ve seen how one disengaged team member can quietly demotivate others. Addressing underperformance isn’t about punishment – it’s about creating a space where effort is valued. Your team notices when you protect a high-performance culture. Sometimes, inspiring your team means making tough calls.
9. DWYSYWD: Do What You Say You Will Do
Inconsistent leaders erode trust. We’ve observed that credibility is a quiet, powerful force that underpins inspiration. If you commit to a one-on-one, show up. If you promise feedback, deliver it. DWYSYWD isn’t fancy – it’s foundational.
10. Build Shared Memories
Never underestimate the power of shared laughter. In our team-building experiences, we’ve watched shy team members come alive during a simple game. That moment of fun often translates into collaboration later. People who laugh together work better together. Memories create bonds. Bonds create trust.
A Corporate Takeaway: Why Inspiration Matters at Work
In the world of L&D, one challenge we hear about often is disengagement. People are showing up but not bringing their full selves to work. At the root of this, more often than not, is a lack of inspiration. The question is: Are leaders doing enough to light that inner fire?
Inspiration isn’t a speech. It’s not a motivational poster. It’s a series of intentional behaviours that show people you care about their growth, their effort, and their potential. And the good news? These behaviours can be learned, practiced, and cultivated.
So whether you’re an HR leader designing the next leadership development journey, a manager stepping into a new role, or a team member hoping to lead by example – start here. With these 10 ways. And then build from there.
We’d love to hear what’s worked for you. What has inspired your team? Drop us a line or join the conversation.
Because as we’ve learned time and again: inspiration isn’t just powerful – it’s contagious.
