Early in my career, I worked for DaimlerBenz in the research strategy department. At a social gathering, I had the opportunity to meet one of the senior leaders of the company. He asked me if I had ever been inspired by one of my own ideas and then pursued it. (footnote: not long before, I had completed my PhD in physics and got some patents for my work that then formed the basis for a high-tech start-up. Proudly – or maybe arrogantly – I thought I had done exactly what he had asked). My answer was a quick and resounding “Yes.” He responded: “Josef, in that case, I want you to know that your chances of becoming a manager here are zero.”

That left me pretty devastated – and, at the same time, I was convinced that he couldn’t be right.

In the spirit of trying to find some kernel of learning in everything, I reflected some more on his comment and discovered an important truth in it: When we pursue our own ideas, it’s easy to fall in love and become absorbed by them. If you work in a tech organization, I’m sure you can think of someone who seems so deep in their own world of ideas that it’s hard to connect with them. (In the spirit of full disclosure, I sometimes still find myself falling down that rabbit hole).

When we’re deeply immersed in our own ideas, we’re no longer fully open to other new ideas – and to the ideas of others. When this happens, we’re no longer good leaders. Our ability, as a leader, to inspire our team depends on our ability to shift the focus from what we think and do over to others. A good leader is able to inspire others and let go of their ego.

If you want to be a great leader, inspiring others is not enough.

If someone on your team has an idea, it’s like a spark that hasn’t grown into a fire yet. If you want the idea to grow (and your team member to get energized), it usually doesn’t help to analyze, critique, and dissect their idea. Instead, it needs to grow and develop – at least for a while.

Allow yourself to be inspired by your team member. Consider what your employee says and does, find out what it is that you like, be inspired by it, and share this with the employee and others. Your employee will be encouraged by it – and it keeps your mindset on your team.

Going back to the original question, here’s the sweet spot answer: As a great leader, be inspiring for others and be inspired by others.

Make it real

Watch for opportunities this week where you can be inspired by your team, allow yourself to be inspired, and show it.