Inspire and Motivate

Can you inspire and motivate people? Do you express your vision in such a way that your people are able to understand, internalize, and implement it? When you talk to people one-on-one are you able to connect with them?

It is definitely possible to inspire and motivate people. It all depends on how you portray what you are trying to get across. I would say most of the time I express my vision in such a way that people are able to understand, internalize, and implement it. But I only do if I am focusing on how I am portraying the message to them. When I am focusing, I know that it takes a lot of energy and the extra effort to motivate my team. They understand my vision through the example that I set and they are able to implement how I think that we need to go about achieving that vision. It seems that I don't lead by example as often as I should, because motivating people is one thing that I struggle with, and I can never learn enough about. When I talk to someone one-on-one, I connect with them much easier than if I was in a larger group. It is easier to connect with someone when you are only talking to them because you can focus on that one person. It is easier to listen to what they have to say and understand it. In a chapter of John Maxwell's book, Leadership Gold, he talks about how "the best leaders are listeners". He says that "understanding people precedes leading them". You cannot lead someone if you do not know where they come from and how their mind works. "Leadership finds its source in understanding. To be worthy of the responsibility of leadership, a person must have insight into the human heart. Sensitivity toward the hopes and dreams of people on your team is essential for connecting with them and motivating them". Maxwell couldn't have said it any better...
"[True] leaders touch a heart before they ask for a hand".