Why True Leaders Inspire Action

The answer is in the title: a true leader explains the WHY of their BELIEFS and demonstrates it with ACTIONS that motivate the rest of the world.

There are so many types of leaders that an encyclopedia could be written about them; there are charismatic, authoritarian, liberal, silent, and democratic leaders, among others. However, one type of leader stands out above all: the leader who inspires action.

Not everyone with followers is a leader: many influencers, for example, gain thousands of fans every day, but these followers rarely act or feel inspired to achieve their life goals. Their role is passive and involves admiring their idol, adoring them; that's where their influence ends. In contrast, a leader who inspires action has a very specific profile where we can highlight their ability to make the group's aspirations tangible, project future results onto them, and motivate—appealing to the human factor—to achieve the set goals and objectives. In essence, an inspiring leader is one who seeks to bring out the best in others, leads them properly, and makes their achievements a collective success.

What is an inspiring leader like?

‍Ten years have passed since British author and speaker Simon Sinek captivated TED Talks and became a viral phenomenon, presenting an interesting analysis of inspiring leaders in just a few minutes. With impeccable pedagogy and using simple examples, Sinek questions the audience: "What makes Apple different from other companies?", "Why did 250,000 people follow Luther King to one of the most important marches in history?", and finally, "What allowed the Wright brothers to succeed when everything was against them?" His answer is clear:

“They all BELIEVED in what they were doing, and they knew WHY they were doing it.”

An inspiring leader knows WHAT they are doing and finds ways to achieve their goals because they know HOW to reach them. But most importantly, the core of his Golden Circle theory is that a leader always knows WHY they do everything they do, meaning their actions are not motivated by interest but by purpose.

‍

“There are two great days in a person's life: the day we are born and the day we discover why.”

‍

‍This quote by William Barclay perfectly sums up the vision of inspiring leaders, for they have found the reason for their motivations and know how to motivate others to find their own reasons. Sinek develops this idea to explain that great leaders inspire because they believe in what they do and share it in such a way that it is impossible not to feel identified and represented. The immediate effect is a sense of camaraderie and loyalty, an authentic sense of commitment that cannot be bought or negotiated because it naturally arises from the relationship the leader establishes with the rest. The leader does not present themselves as a savior or an unattainable figure to follow but as part of a community where their role is as important as that of the whole group. And what is that role? To inspire action, create a virtuous circle, and ensure that all members find the reason for their actions and work organically to achieve their goals.

An inspiring leader aspires to a higher achievement: the success and common good of all those who believe in them.

At DiME, we know that much of our students' education is based on providing them with a sense of authentic leadership to face the challenges of the immediate future. This is why we are constantly developing and implementing innovative pedagogies that not only provide them with academic or scientific content but also offer our youth quality guidance that inspires committed action.