Learning from JFK: Be An Inspirational Leader – PLUS free book giveaway!

By Dan Nielsen

October 3, 2013


JFK: Inspiring

 

>>I’m giving away three copies of my newly released book, Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums! For details, please see the end of this article.

UPDATE 10/10/13: the free book drawing has ended – thank you to all who participated!

 

My new book, Presidential Leadership, is a testament to my long-held belief in the power and importance of leadership excellence. I also believe that one essential element of leadership excellence is being an inspirational leader.

There is no motivating factor as powerful as true inspiration. As I wrote in chapter 5 of my book,

While reward-based or fear-based motivation yields limited results, inspiration is longer lasting, more deeply rooted, and internally driven rather than externally driven.”

Because of this, I believe strongly in the power, importance, and effectiveness of inspirational leadership:

Inspiring leaders are able to stir the hearts and minds of their followers, compelling them to action with greater loyalty and enthusiasm than achieved by any other sort of motivator.”

John F. Kennedy has long been regarded as a truly inspiring leader. Not only was he an eloquent and articulate public speaker, he also possessed an incredible ability to cast a vision and express concepts that resonated in the hearts and minds of people around the world.

No matter political preference or opinion, it can’t be denied that America’s 35th President was able to inspire millions of people in a way that few leaders in history have. Kennedy didn’t just stir up excitement with showy words and political promises. He challenged the American status quo and called upon all Americans to take personal responsibility for the future of their nation.

Upon accepting the Democratic nomination for the presidency in 1960, Kennedy said, “The New Frontier of which I speak is not a set of promises—it is a set of challenges. It sums up not what I intend to offer the American people, but what I intend to ask of them.” Those words were followed months later during the new president’s inaugural address with a similar sentiment when Kennedy famously said, “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country!”

Like Kennedy, truly inspirational leaders don’t merely make their followers feel good and stir up temporary excitement; they inspire them to take action.

How about you, do you inspire those whom you lead?

 

Presidential Leadership Book

 

>> FOR A CHANCE TO WIN one of three free copies of my new book, Presidential Leadership, please leave a comment below describing how inspirational leadership has affected you—either as a leader who inspires others, or as someone who has been inspired by such a leader. <<

Three lucky winners will be randomly selected from among the commenters and announced in next week’s Tips For Greater Success article. Feel free to leave more than one comment, but only one entry per person will be entered in the drawing. The chance to win ends Thursday, October 10, at 12:00pm CST. Good luck!

UPDATE 10/10/13: the free book drawing has ended – thank you to all who participated! Comments are now closed.

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About the author

Dan Nielsen is the author of the books Be An Inspirational Leader: Engage, Inspire, Empower, and Presidential Leadership: Learning from United States Presidential Libraries & Museums. He regularly writes and speaks on leadership excellence and achieving greater success, and is available to deliver keynotes, lead workshops, or facilitate discussions for your group. LEARN MORE

  1. Hi Dan,
    Thanks for your weekly posting and the recent Leadership topics from your new book. I have for some time now been using your findings and observations with my teenage son. Trying to build and mold his character and using some of your material as examples have been very helpful and opened good discussions. The past couple of weeks where you have featured topics and exerpts from your new book have been extremely insighful. Thanks.
    Rick Tayloe

  2. Rick, what a beautiful comment. I am so complemented the way you are using the content! I am going to use your comment, if that is ok with you.

    As you well know, you are planting seeds that will last a lifetime and be an important part of your legacy.

    Thank you so much for your incredible comments and feedback. I am truly touched!!

  3. Good morning Dan, I look forward to reading your newsletters and posts. They’re right on topic as well as being inspirational. Thank you for sharing with us. The best leader I ever had is the leader I have now. I’ve never received a harsh comment from him in the last three years of working together. He doesn’t ask anyone to do what he’s not willing to do, is always looking out for the best interests of his internal and external clients, is a wonderful husband, father and friend. I love watching him with his family. Sandy doesn’t assassinate the character of others which can happen in the work place and corrode the fiber of an organization. He’s honest in all his actions. I’ve had my share of bosses and I’m extremely grateful for this one. He embodies everything that I try to be.

  4. Thank you Anne, What wonderful comments regarding your current leader! Just wonderful. If you feel appropriate, I would like to contact him to see if he would do a brief phone interview. Then, I would write an article based on the brief interview and include some of your comments below. I would then send the article to your leader, and you, for any suggested edits and for approval BEFORE anyone sees it. After edits and approval, I would publish as a Tips for Greater Success article. May also publish it as a healthcare leadership article.

    Are you up for this? If interested, please email me at contact@dannielsen.com and we’ll get it set up!

    Thank you again for your comments. Have a GREAT week.

  5. As we are all leaders in some capacity of our lives, we all should strive to be inspirational in our approach. I have learned much by watching others as they lead and inspired their teams or those they are leading… we learn much by quietly watching and then taking what we have seen and sharing them with others through our own leadership skills… I find that most times it’s those who are kind, encouraging and allowing others to demonstrate that they are capable without micro managing are the best inspirational leaders….

  6. Dan, First please let me say congrats on the new book. Job well done! I am very much looking forward to reading your story! I am always looking for ways to positively inspire others. I have been lucky to have a few strong leaders before me mentor me and help and have been lucky to work with strong leaders like yourself who are willing to invest in the next generation of leaders. I look foward to being part of your blog. Blessings to you! Jennifer

  7. I can’t wait to read your book, Dan…as a former History major, the character of the presidents has always intrigued me and, even more so today after a few decades in the field. The first inspirational leader that comes to mind in my life is Keith Gee, who inspired me by having unwavering values that he delivered consistently, no matter the circumstance. He also encouraged my creativity and “out of the box” thinking which really energized me. Again, all the best with your book! Diane

  8. Great to hear from you Jennifer. I have always admired how you handle yourself, your positive outlook and energy, and your sincere desire to serve and help others. All of these wonderful characteristics come through loud and clear!

    I appreciate and respect you!

    Would you be willing to do an interview for an upcoming article I would write as a result of the interview? You would see and approve the article before it was published. Just let me know (contact@dannielsen.com).

    Great to hear from you!!

  9. Thank you for your comment Diane. Is Keith still around? I would love to interview him by phone and then write an article based on your comments and his responses to several questions. Please let me know (contact@dannielsen.com). Thank you again for your comments!

Comments are closed.

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