The Inspiring Leader

In The Inspiring Leader, John H. Zenger, Joseph R. Folkman, and Scott K. Edinger explain how leaders can bring about extraordinary performance and move a group from ho-hum to gung-ho by breaking through the barrier of mediocrity to higher performance and profitability. Increased productivity results from a leader’s inspiration and motivation. Clearly, some workers’ effectiveness lies within themselves, but it is also strongly influenced by the leader and the environment created by that leader. Productivity improvement is a way to assess the effectiveness of the leader. 

Leaders who create positive developmental experiences for their team members are much more apt to create an inspired and motivated team. In addition to the individuals’ personal satisfaction, there is a secondary payoff: the organization keeps getting better. The most inspirational leaders are those who are team oriented, in contrast to those who are comfortable only in a traditional hierarchy. For most people, there is an excitement and energy that comes from being part of a team.