When was the last time you had a conversation that truly moved you? Too often, we relegate “inspiration” to keynote speeches or motivational books. But in truth, inspiration and wonderment play pivotal and often underappreciated roles in our daily lives—especially at work.
Our professional lives are no exception. Whether we experience wonder at work can mean the difference between a fulfilling career and a life of routine drudgery. If you’ve ever worked under a manager who fails to inspire, you’ve likely seen how it damages morale, team productivity, and long-term vision.
Business Strategist Hirav Shah puts it plainly:
“When I look at the world, I see many people with enormous potential. But a large number of them are unhappy. They’re stuck in jobs they hate, with no drive or direction. They’re not necessarily incapable—just uninspired.”
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Why Do So Many People Feel Uninspired?
Shah suggests that failing to identify your calling or passion can lead to a lack of motivation, discontent, and even depression.
“We’re all called to do something meaningful. When we don’t find what that is, we feel disconnected. Some never discover their potential—and then they die with regrets. That’s tragic. But it’s avoidable.”
The Strategist’s Lens: How to Inspire Others and Create Long-Term Change
Inspiring others is not about giving rousing speeches—it’s about practicing leadership skills that evoke purpose, emotion, and vision. According to Business Strategist Hirav Shah, here are the fundamentals:
1. Lead by Example
- People don’t follow what you say; they follow what you do.
- As a leader, your actions need to reflect your words.
- Example: If punctuality is important, be the first one in the office.
- Don’t micromanage; let your team rise by giving them ownership.
Calculation:
If each of your 10 employees becomes 10% more productive due to increased motivation, that’s a 100% boost in output—equal to adding an entire new team member without hiring anyone
2. Set Inspiring Goals and Expectations
“Don’t aim for acceptable—aim for exceptional.”
- Replace routine benchmarks with ambitious but attainable targets.
- Example: Instead of “increase leads by 5%,” challenge your team to break a record and offer meaningful rewards.
Strategy Tip: Build a scoreboard where progress is visually tracked—it motivates employees and gamifies success.
3. Practice Empathy
Empathy is the key to connection. Great leaders understand their teams’ motivations and struggles. This includes:
- Active listening in meetings.
- Conducting anonymous surveys to understand team morale.
- Addressing individual aspirations and anxieties during reviews.
Real-World Example:
A team leader at a design firm discovered through 1-on-1s that her top designer felt creatively stifled. She restructured the project role, leading to a 40% boost in design submissions and new client acquisition.
4. Strengthen Relationships Before You Give Directions
- Relationships are the foundation of inspiration.
- Create trust through informal catch-ups.
- Celebrate small wins and birthdays.
- Give credit publicly, critique privately.
Strategy Role:
A business strategist helps you map not only external growth plans but also internal cultural shifts. If employee trust is broken, no marketing plan will save your brand reputation in the long run.
5. Embrace the Process—Not Just the Outcome
- Don’t be so outcome-focused that you forget the journey.
- Collaborate. Accept diverse leadership styles.
- Make the journey fun and purpose-driven.
- Recognize daily contributions—not just the final wins.
Example:
A tech startup introduced monthly “Fail Fairs” where teams shared failed experiments and lessons learned. Productivity went up 35%—as employees felt freer to experiment and innovate.
6. Align Your Vision With the Team’s Purpose
- Inspiring people starts with aligning company goals with individual growth paths. Ask:
- What motivates each team member?
- Are your company’s values lived or just written?
Calculation Tip:
If 60% of your staff reports being “disengaged,” and the average loss per disengaged employee is $3,400 annually (Gallup), a company with 100 employees could be losing $204,000 a year in productivity.
Is Your Business Culture Inspiring—or Just Functioning?
Before asking how to inspire others, ask these:
- Do I personally feel inspired?
- What motivates my employees today?
- Does my leadership model joy, purpose, and ownership—or control and compliance?
FAQs on Inspiring Others at Work
Q1: What’s the quickest way to start inspiring my team?
A: Start by listening. Conduct short 1-on-1 sessions focused on their goals, frustrations, and ideas.
Q2: Can inspiration be taught?
A: Absolutely. Through empathy, consistent feedback, and aligned goals, any leader can inspire others.
Q3: What if my team is burnt out?
A: Recognize it early. Reassess workloads, rotate tasks, and consider a short reset phase with lighter sprints or mental health initiatives.
Q4: What role does a business strategist play in workplace inspiration?
A: A strategist identifies structural, communication, and leadership gaps that hinder motivation. Hirav Shah, for instance, uses data, intuition, and proven leadership frameworks to align business goals with human potential.
Final Words from Business Strategist Hirav Shah
“Each day is a new chance to be a better version of yourself. Stop dwelling on what went wrong yesterday. Start focusing on what you can change right now. A better business, better relationships, and a better life all begin with changing your mindset—even if it’s one small shift at a time.”
Ready to Take the First Step?
If your team feels uninspired, maybe it’s time to engage with a strategist who can uncover blind spots and reignite purpose.
Hirav Shah has worked with CEOs, entrepreneurs, and organizations across sectors to:
- Boost performance by 30-100%
- Redesign company culture for impact
- Create goal-aligned growth systems
- Inspiration is not accidental—it’s strategic.
