What It Takes

"I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious." -Albert Einstein

So much of the information available today on the idea of inspiration and inspiring people seems to center on the business world.  Much of it comes in the form of "How to be an Inspiring Leader" kind of stuff.  The problem with that, if there is indeed one, is that it assumes that there is some way to externally create inspiration.  If only someone follows this recipe - 5 steps, 7 steps., 10 steps - then one can become inspiring.  Its almost like saying one can become a successful business person by merely wearing the right clothing.

The trouble is, most of the truly inspiring people aren't individuals we would classify as "leaders", they tend to fall into categories such as teachers, parents, grandparents, close friends, etc.  The kind of inspiration that makes us better people, that influences our lives, doesn't come from the media anointed "celebrity" leaders of the culture, but from those with whom we interact routinely and admire for strength and courage.  

 There is a lot of information regarding inspiration out there, and much of it good, and even more of it ridiculous.  But with enough time and effort some themes seem to appear.  Here are some of the most common characteristics of inspiring people - not necessarily inspiring leaders -  presented in no particular order, since all are very important:

1. Passion - this seems to be the most cited aspect of inspiring people, and it makes perfect sense.  How can one be inspiring if he or she is not inspired?  Nothing motivates others like the complete devotion to pursuing a goal, from running a giant software company to raising children, one has to be all in or it doesn't work:  It is the soul's duty to be loyal to its own desires. It must abandon itself to its master passion. - Rebecca West
2. Positivity - A positive outlook on life will help alter the negative view of others.  No difficult task can be accomplished if one has doubts, or at least allows those doubts to overwhelm their outlook. We can't control all the events that occur in our lives, but inspiring people control their responses to those events - not the artificial "making lemonade" meme, but rather enduring the rain with good humor because they know there's a sunny day on the way.
3. The ability to socially interact with others - This always seemed a difficult task for the introverted me.  But over time, I've gotten used to working with people in various settings.  I've found that being positive, polite but honest,  seems to work pretty well.  I've got a long way to go, but inspiring people seem to have the knack of authentically connecting with others.
4. Empathy - Inspiring people have the ability to relate to others on a personal level - which goes with the last point.  The ability to listen to, and understand, others is essential in making an impact on the lives of other people.
5. The strength of character to stay authentic and follow their own paths - Often the stories we most find inspiring is those of people who followed their own paths, sometimes against great odds and criticism, to reach their goals.  The thing many people forget is that the "triumph over adversity" often involves a tremendous amount of adversity lasting for years and years. The perseverance and will it takes to keep true to oneself in the darkest of times is what really inspires.  It is so much easier in life to blend in with the sheep instead of standing out like the tiger, to bend to the will of groupthink; but would William Blake write a poem like this to sheep?

Tyger Tyger, burning bright,
In the forests of the night;
What immortal hand or eye,
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?

In what distant deeps or skies.
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand, dare seize the fire? 

And what shoulder, & what art,
Could twist the sinews of thy heart?
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand? & what dread feet? 

What the hammer? what the chain,
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? what dread grasp,
Dare its deadly terrors clasp!

When the stars threw down their spears
And water'd heaven with their tears:
Did he smile his work to see?
Did he who made the Lamb make thee? 

Tyger Tyger burning bright,
In the forests of the night:
What immortal hand or eye,
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?

Shakespeare's St. Crispin's Day speech from Henry V is often regarded as the template for inspiring talks - it has likely been adapted by almost every football coach in history at one point or another.  Here's Kenneth Branagh's Henry V trying to inspire his troops before facing the five-men-to-one odds at Agincourt.  Let's see how Shakespeare's Henry embodies the points above:

Finally - tying to be inspiring won't work.  Working to be your own unique person will itself inspire others:   

"Be yourself--not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be." --Henry David Thoreau