Does inspiration matter?

I noticed a lack of inspiration in a meeting agenda we were putting together, and I tried to influence this. Not an easy task. I was confronted with questions that I had not set out to answer, however the challenges I received really made me think. 

Why does inspiration matte? , I was asked. I think it was a provacative question rather than a real one but still.

Really? What? Why does it matter? Duh! It matters because it does.

My thoughts really went to “Does this question really need answering?”: Yet the answer of YES INSPIRATION MATTERS BECAUSE……….. pause, silence, the answer did not roll off my tongue. The answer was hidden inside me, but I struggled putting words to it, in the first few seconds of being asked. I knew it to be true, but more from a gut feel than a data driven reason.

So I decided to take a few moments to ponder this one, take a day or two to mull it over.

I could not be more convinced that inspiration in the workplace matters, yet why?

So I began by thinking of what inspiration is and what it is all about.

I decided that it was the difference between what we know of the world around us and what we suddenly see as new possibilities. The bit in between is where inspiration happens, where inspiration plays a role. The inspiration is what accesses in you the thinking that a different future is possible, a different and better future than the one you saw before.

Inspiration awakens new possibilities by allowing us to go above and beyond (transcend) our ordinary experiences and limitations. Inspiration allows us to see our own capabilities differently, and those capabilities of others.

Inspiration technically also means to breathe in. This is also very linked to the concept. That one deep breathe of reflection and pause.

Based on this, inspiration has to be a worthy emotion with multiple reasons to inject this into a meeting. Who wouldn’t want all this in the room?

Yet inspiration is not something you find when you look for it. I believe you find it when you are open to new ideas and new ways of thinking, it happens when you are open to learn, but not when you are sitting there waiting to be inspired.

Inspiration comes in many forms, a book, a conversation, a behaviour, an experience, a view point, a landscape. So anything can inspire and so can anyone. I would assert that more often it comes from those you least expect it. Children are an amazing source of inspiration for example. (However if you are anything like me, you have to take a break from the nagging to see it :-) )

Also let’s not forget that feeling inspired is a wonderful feeling, it is a positive emotion and one that is contagious. Who doesn’t want to work for an inspirational leader?

Finally and very importantly I believe we would all enjoy the compliment of, “Did you hear what he/she said, how inspiring is that!”
Surely we would all enjoy being recognized as being that person.

So here are the 3 things I will report back out, based on my own thoughts and not on any Harvard reviews or the like:

Inspiration matters because:

1. Inspiration allows you to go beyond the ordinary
2. Inspiration generates positivity
3. Inspiration creates followership

And all of these are linked to better business results.

What did I miss? Does inspiration matter? Have you been inspired today? Is this an untapped into capability?

Do tell…….