Inspiration as a Leadership practice
by Linda A. Curtis
Over the years I’ve collaborated with many accomplished leaders. Most would credit their success to a healthy mix of ambition, intellect and the ability to inspire others. They understand that keeping themselves and their teams inspired and forward thinking is a business imperative, now more than ever. We are seeing historically profitable business models crumble, opening space for new ideas that can only emerge from fresh thinking. The potential for business to contribute something dynamic and revolutionary is here.
Inspiration is essential to manage the creative tension inherent between the current reality and the long-term vision, the dream. That creative tension is where the possibilities are, the swirling dynamic mix of elements (R&D, fluctuating resources, ideation, course correcting, etc.) that are part of all worthy endeavors. You know you’re in the positive pole of creative tension when you feel alive and hopeful, despite setbacks. But unless we are mindful, the tension can take its toll and deplete us. You can’t light a fire with a wet match. How can corporate leaders keep their inspirational spark alive?
Our left-brain is brilliant at gathering data, analyzing and problem solving. But inspiration, creativity and vision, spring from our right hemisphere. One definition of inspiration is ‘a sudden, brilliant idea.’ It’s a right brain fireworks explosion. Einstein said, “A new idea comes suddenly and in a rather intuitive way.” It is important for leaders to nurture right-brain inspiration so they can remain generative and resilient under pressure.
One executive committed to experiment with an inspiration practice while leading his team through a tumultuous IPO and reduction in force. He agreed to give his left-brain the daily assignment to find one inspiring thing that could stimulate his right-brain. He stopped reading email on Saturdays and Sunday mornings, thus freeing his attention to be fully present with his family and create mental space to seek out or notice inspiring moments. It was awkward at first, but over time he realized he was surrounded by sources of inspiration. For example, he watched the Oscar winning Man on Wire with the express intent to be inspired by the vision and leadership of the films eccentric hero.
Each of us is stirred by different things. For you, it might be watching a ballet or the staggering genius of Tiger Woods. For me, it’s hiking through the redwoods in my hometown, or watching iTunes download Bruce Springsteen’s latest release it ten split seconds. (That technology inspires anyone who remembers eight track tapes. It is a very profitable example of what can happen when teams successfully manage creative tension.) The executive mentioned above found inspiration through music, and created play lists of jazz, reggae and rock tunes that have always moved him. He often listens to them during his commute, instead of the news, which can be tiresome and negative. He has decided to be intentional about keeping himself sharp and inspired throughout a particularly harsh business environment.
What inspires you? Why not take deliberate steps to experience it each day – through nature, music, movies, great writing, your child’s laughter - even if it’s only for five minutes. Take time to give and receive appreciation. Inspiration is a renewable resource. Fill up. Give your right brain the spark it needs to keep you in the positive pole of creative tension, enlivened and generating intuitive, profitable ideas.