From The Inside Out

A common approach to leading is to manipulate the environment to control or influence followers. This approach is founded on a belief that people are primarily motivated by externals. A materialistic approach contends individuals are motivated mainly by money or other material rewards. A mechanistic viewpoint seeks to lead by applying force to control followers. Both of these approaches seek to influence followers from the outside. People are seen as extrinsically motivated.

An alternative approach is to lead through intrinsic motivation. The leader seeks to influence people from the inside. This requires getting people in touch with a sense of purpose and a vision for the future. It is helping individuals live from their values. Rather than seeking to control, the leader collaborates and co-creates with followers.

Leadership training typically concentrates on the would-be leader’s external skill development. The focus is on what leaders “do.” If the leader is to tap followers’ intrinsic motivators, then that leader must emphasize the “being” aspects of leadership. The mission, vision, and values of the leader must resonate with those of the followers. This requires that leadership development and practice proceed from the inside out.