Inspirational Leadership… Is It Really About Values

The influence of inspirational leaders goes beyond their ability to direct others toward a shared goal—it extends to igniting sparks of inspiration and motivation within their hearts. This profound impact does not arise in a vacuum; rather, it stems from a combination of factors and sources that shape their personality and their capacity to influence others

Among the most prominent sources of influence for inspirational leaders is their possession of a clear and compelling vision for the future. They can communicate this vision to their teams with clarity and enthusiasm, allowing everyone to feel part of something greater than themselves. Their vision is grounded in a set of values and principles in which they deeply believe—these form the foundation of the team’s culture and foster trust and loyalty

Inspirational leaders are characterized by sound personality traits. They are known for integrity, honesty, transparency, and objectivity, making them natural role models who attract other leaders without fear of losing their position. In addition, they exhibit self-confidence and the ability to make tough decisions that inspire others and build confidence in leadership. Despite their status, these leaders remain humble and open to others’ opinions, creating a respectful and trust-filled work environment

They possess strong communication skills, using clear and impactful language to convince others of their ideas and vision. They take time to listen to the thoughts and emotions of their team, making them feel heard and valued. Through body language, they convey their enthusiasm and self-assurance, radiating positive energy to those around them

Inspirational leaders are adept at building relationships based on trust and mutual respect. They encourage collaboration and teamwork, demonstrate empathy, and act fairly. As a result, they foster a unified team spirit and a positive work climate

They are committed to continuous learning and self-development and are driven by a constant curiosity to learn more and enhance their skills. They embrace change and respond with flexibility, encouraging their teams to participate in decision-making and continuous improvement. Most importantly, they have nothing to hide—because they stand on solid ground

Inspirational Leadership and Standing on Solid Ground

Inspirational leaders stand on a solid foundation built on ethical values when making decisions and taking action. As a result, they can transform individuals into cohesive teams and dreams into reality. Their influence extends beyond the institution to the broader community. By understanding the sources of their influence, we can all learn and enhance our own leadership abilities

Inspirational leaders are marked by integrity, honesty, fairness, and respect for others. They cultivate trust, build strong relationships, and create positive work environments. From this perspective, it’s worth discussing the benefits of ethical leadership

Inspirational leaders foster trust within their teams, leading to greater motivation, productivity, loyalty, and retention of high-performing team members. They also attract other leaders in their respective fields. Organizations with ethical leaders tend to enjoy better reputations and attract top talent. These leaders establish strong relationships with stakeholders and clients, fostering supportive and inclusive environments where employees feel valued and a sense of belonging

Thus, ethical leadership is vital for long-term success. Organizations that prioritize ethics are more likely to thrive creatively and grow sustainably over time

Values of Inspirational Leadership

Inspirational leaders rely on a core set of values and principles that guide their decision-making and behavior. These values are essential to building trust, inspiring others, and creating a positive, ethical workplace

True influence lies in leading with integrity and moral principles—a form of leadership committed to the growth of others and the development of future leaders. These individuals are not mere bosses—they are catalysts for creativity and growth, infusing those around them with inspiration and forward-looking vision

They act with honesty in all interactions and avoid compromising their values for personal gain. They treat everyone with respect regardless of status or background. They embrace diversity, accept different viewpoints, and foster an inclusive and cooperative environment. With fairness and emotional intelligence, they avoid favoritism and remain open to change and ongoing self-improvement. They reject manipulation and crisis fabrication, and despise deceit, maintaining sincerity in both intent and action. They demonstrate compassion and empathy, care about others' emotions, and offer support without exploitation

Psychologically resilient, they take responsibility for their actions and decisions, acknowledge mistakes and others’ rights, avoid secretive workplace politics, and provide clear explanations for their actions. They are courageous in defending their beliefs without extremism or bias. Above all, they are humble—acknowledging the limits of their knowledge and power, always ready to learn from others and from their own errors

In essence, inspirational leaders view their role as service to others and are committed to making a positive impact on their organization and community

By adopting these values and principles, leaders can foster a positive and inspiring work environment that promotes trust, respect, and collaboration. They also empower others to live and work with integrity and to create meaningful impact

Among the most renowned examples of value-based inspirational leadership is the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), who led—and continues to lead—nations of the world through noble values. Likewise, Martin Luther King Jr. stands as a powerful symbol of ethical leadership in the fight for racial justice and equality. Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid revolutionary and South Africa’s first Black president, and Indira Gandhi, India’s first and only female prime minister who led the country through challenging times, are also key examples

When Leaders Lose Their Influence

Throughout history, many leaders have lost their influence due to personal traits and behaviors. For instance, U.S. President Richard Nixon saw his power irreversibly eroded by the Watergate scandal, which revealed his role in covering up a break-in at the Democratic National Committee headquarters. Idi Amin, the Ugandan dictator, lost his grip on power due to erratic behavior, human rights abuses, and poor economic management. Similarly, billionaire Jeffrey Epstein's influence was entirely destroyed after his arrest and conviction for human trafficking

These examples show that even the most powerful leaders can fall due to personal flaws and misconduct. Leaders must be aware of both their strengths and weaknesses and strive to act with integrity and respect. Otherwise, they fall into the realm of cunning leadership or become manipulative leaders

Cunning Leadership: The Loss of Genuine Influence

Leaders are not defined by titles but by their actions. For instance, a leader may act autocratically in some situations and collaboratively in others—this is the essence of situational leadership theory

Here’s a critical question: Have you ever practiced cunning leadership, even once? What were the outcomes? Did it achieve real, lasting influence over your followers

Dear reader, if you've ever used manipulative tactics, forgive yourself and make a sincere intention to stop before it becomes a habit—and before you fall into the category of cunning leaders

Cunning leaders are individuals who use psychological tactics to manipulate and control others. However, their influence is false and unsustainable in the long run. They often rely on deceptive strategies and coercion to gain fake power or outward obedience. These leaders may be found in politics, religion, organizations, or even within families

Common tactics used by cunning leaders include gaslighting—making the victim doubt their reality, memory, or sanity by denying or distorting experiences. They may isolate their victims from friends, experts, or support networks to increase dependency. Cunning leaders often invoke fear to manipulate others, inducing anxiety and obedience. They may also instill guilt to gain control or shower their targets with exaggerated affection, charm, or fake competency to win loyalty. This includes flattery, grand promises, and emotional manipulation

Unfortunately, these leaders are often charismatic and highly persuasive

To protect yourself from manipulation, educate yourself on psychological tactics, stay connected with trusted friends and professionals, and trust your intuition. Set clear boundaries, even with potentially cunning individuals. One of the wisest sayings is: "Never follow the living blindly"—they may mislead you, and you may stray in turn. This is particularly relevant to the phenomenon of idolizing leaders and institutions, which we’ll now explore

Sacred Leadership

The veneration and deification of leaders has been part of human society for thousands of years. While this can serve positive purposes—such as preserving order and unity—it can also be destructive

The effect of leader-worship often depends on the cultural and societal context. In today’s age of intellectual and cultural openness, such veneration is increasingly out of place

Blind devotion and absolute trust in leaders can suppress critical thinking and diversity of opinion, leading to rigidity, authoritarianism, and reliance on one person as the sole source of wisdom. Leaders who are blindly glorified are more likely to abuse their power for personal gain. History shows that idolization of leadership is often linked to societal and institutional collapse

Take the Roman Empire, for example—strongly centered around obedience to the emperor—and the feudal system of the Middle Ages, which enforced strict hierarchies of loyalty and submission

We must move away from the glorification of leaders and institutions, separate the message from the messenger, and activate our critical thinking skills to evaluate information and make informed decisions. This helps us avoid manipulation and align decisions with our personal values and collective goals

A final question: Is respecting authority important

Yes—respect for legitimate authority and adherence to just rules is vital. But this must go hand in hand with critical thinking and the courage to question authority when needed. We aim for a society where individuals can express their opinions responsibly and without hesitation, and where they actively participate in decision-making. This enhances motivation and commitment and lays the foundation for a more just and progressive society

References

Ibrahim Shawky & Ayatollah Abduh (2024). Leadership Skills. Cairo: Cairo University Press

Ibrahim Shawky (2021). The Psychology of Management and Leadership. Cairo: Cairo University Press

Tareef Shawky (1993). Leadership Behavior and Leader Effectiveness. Cairo: Ghareeb Press

Brown, M. E., & Trevino, L. K. (2003). Ethical leadership: How to define, develop, and deploy it. Business Horizons, 46(6), 57-66

Gardner, W. L., Avolio, B. J., Luthans, F., May, D. R., & Walumbwa, F. O. (2005). Can leaders be developed? The role of authentic leadership development. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 345-365

Kouzes, J. M., & Posner, B. Z. (2017). The Leadership Challenge (6th ed.). Jossey-Bass

Shapiro, J. L., & Stefkovich, J. A. (2016). Ethical Leadership and Decision Making in Education. Routledge

By Prof. Dr. Ibrahim Shawky
Professor of Psychology
UHA University – Cairo University