5 Keys To Inspire Yourself And Others

Leadership is about impact. As Adam Galinsky emphasizes in his new book INSPIRE: The Universal Path for Leading Yourself and Others, leaders don’t have the luxury of neutrality. “Neutrality is not an option,” Galinsky, renowned social psychologist and a professor of leadership and ethics at Columbia Business School, asserts. “We will either inspire or infuriate.” How do you inspire yourself and others?

Galinsky shares, “Being inspiring or infuriating is a choice we make each day. But there’s good news – because there’s a universal set of inspiring characteristics, they can be taught, nurtured and developed.” What differentiates an inspiring leader from an infuriating one? And more importantly, how can leaders practically harness inspiration to create meaningful change?

INSPIRE is filled with decades of research and illustrated with real-word examples that will inspire you from insight through action. Packed with countless gems, here are five keys to inspire yourself and others: Actionable strategies that every leader can adopt to move toward the inspiring end of the infuriating-inspiring spectrum.

1. Understand the Leader Amplification Effect

“When we are in positions of leadership, all eyes are on us,” Galinsky explains. This is the ‘Leader Amplification Effect’—a phenomenon where every word, gesture, and decision is magnified in the eyes of others. Leaders must recognize that even small actions can have outsized impacts. For instance, Galinsky recounts how Southwest Airlines pilot Captain Tammie Jo Shults reassured passengers during a crisis with a simple statement: “We are not going down. We are going to Philly.” These words transformed fear into hope, showcasing the power of intentional communication.

Galinsky elaborated: “Leaders underestimate how much their words and actions ripple outward. A single casual comment can either uplift someone for years or leave them doubting themselves.” This insight underpins the need for leaders to be consistently mindful. As a leader, you’re always being watched, and your actions get amplified.

The takeaway: Notice how your words and actions might be perceived. Strive for clarity and positivity, even in challenging situations.

2.Practice Perspective-Taking

Great leaders empathize with others. Galinsky’s research reveals that perspective-taking—understanding how others view your actions—is crucial for inspiring leadership. He advises leaders to be conscious of the “curse of knowledge”: assuming others understand your intentions without explanation. “One of the biggest problems leaders have is under-communication”, shared Galinsky. “Leaders are ten times more likely to under-communicate than over-communicate. It’s so important to share your why,” Galinsky suggests. By communicating context, leaders can prevent misunderstandings and build trust.

Galinsky shared a personal example: “I once asked a doctoral student in the morning, ‘Hey, come to my office at 3 p.m. I need to talk to you.’ I knew it was no big deal in my own head, but for the next six hours, she lived in fear that something bad was going to happen. I didn’t realize how much weight my role carried in their eyes.”

The takeaway: Before making decisions, ask, “How will this be received by others?” Practice explaining the reasoning behind your actions.

3. Create Psychological Safety

A hallmark of inspiring leaders is their ability to foster environments where people feel safe to speak up. Galinsky notes, “It starts with something as simple as a facial expression in response to something someone says. If we look annoyed, it’s going to make people feel ‘Oh, I shouldn’t say something like that again.’ For many people, speaking up is scary. Leaders need to find ways to lower the risk.”

Leaders who dismiss ideas or fail to engage with their teams create cultures of fear. On the flip side, inspiring leaders actively solicit input, encourage dialogue, and embrace feedback. Galinsky emphasized this point: “When we feel psychologically unsafe, we focus more on protecting ourselves than contributing our best work. The best leaders design environments where people feel valued and supported.”

The takeaway: Find ways for people to share their views privately rather than publicly. Hold regular forums for open discussion, and respond to ideas with curiosity and gratitude, even if you disagree.

4. Empower Others Through Mentorship

Mentorship satisfies the fundamental human need for belonging and growth. Galinsky highlights how inspiring leaders delegate responsibility and celebrate others’ successes. Galinsky shares a story of how Renee LaRoche-Morris (later CFO of DTCC) felt early in her career when she was given a seat at the table during a critical meeting. Going into the meeting, Renee was told to sit against the wall and only observe the discussion. One of the clients asked Renee to come join the meeting. Her first impulse was to resist, but the client was persistent and she relented. Soon after this project, the client hired Renee, and this become one of her most important professional relationships.

“Effective mentors recognize that everyone has unique talents and needs,” Galinsky shared. “One size doesn’t fit all in leadership. The most inspiring leaders adapt their support to help others thrive in their own way.”

The takeaway: Identify opportunities to mentor team members. Set stretch goals, provide support, and recognize their achievements.

5. Be a Visionary

Inspiring leaders communicate a compelling vision of the future. To become a more visionary leader, Galinsky suggests to “Start with your values. When people clarify their values, it has transformative effects. For example, we did a study where we asked unemployed individuals in Switzerland to spend 15 minutes clarifying their values. 15 minutes—that was it. No reminders. Two months later, they were twice as likely to have found a job.”

“Visionaries fulfill our need for meaning and purpose,” Galinsky shares. This requires simplifying complex ideas into relatable, visual language. For instance, instead of saying, “Our goal is to make customers happy”, say “Our goal is to make customers smile.” The change makes it more visual, which helps people become more engaged.” Visual metaphors connect with people on a deeper level.

Galinsky noted, “Simplifying your vision doesn’t mean dumbing it down. It means clarifying it in a way that makes it tangible and inspiring. Leaders who do this ignite motivation in others.”

The takeaway: Regularly reflect on your core values and integrate them into your leadership messaging. Use visual and optimistic language to inspire your team.

Leadership is not about perfection but progression. By embracing these five keys, leaders can elevate their impact, creating environments where people thrive. As Galinsky’s research reveals, the capacity to inspire is universal and teachable—it’s a choice every leader can make.

“Inspiring leaders aren’t born,” Galinsky concluded. “They’re made through intentional practice and reflection. Each of us has the potential to inspire—we just need to choose to do so.” By applying these five keys to inspire yourself and others, you too can create a legacy of positive influence that resonates far beyond your immediate circle.