What It Really Takes To Be Inspiring

The three core behaviors or traits of deeply inspiring people:

1)   They have forged their own authentic path — taken a hard, unpaved road that goes against the grain and demanded a tremendous show of guts, strength, commitment, and perseverance

In other words, these people have taken a brave, new direction and are living full-out what they talk about, study and research.  They are the true embodiment of courage and fortitude in the face of opposition, criticism, judgment, and what sometimes seem to be unbeatable odds.  They don’t just talk about what they’re fascinated by – they’re immersed in it and exude it, body and soul.

2)  They are supremely  “other-focused”  – they derive an enormous sense of satisfaction and reward – and spend most of their professional time and energy — helping other people, or organizations and enterprises, grow and flourish

These individuals aren’t just talking about what they’ve done – they’re focused on turning their “mess” into a “message” or helping others succeed and overcome the deep challenges out there in the way of greater success, fulfillment, peace, contribution, and progress.

3)  They are riveting storytellers –

These inspiring leaders and ground-breakers spend their time sharing and demonstrating something very different from the same old platitudes and principles we’ve heard over and over.  From their individual set of traumas, experiences, longings, failures, triumphs, and histories, they have a unique way of looking at the world, and they share their special vision through powerful stories that pluck at our heartstrings and stimulate our thinking and our emotions in ways that literally no one else can.

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After all, we believe what we see.  To be inspired by another is to be reminded that what stirs us so deeply about someone else is, in fact, possible within ourselves.

Source: Kathy Caprino... Forbe post