What is Inspirational Motivation?

There are four components to transformational leadership:

1. Idealized Influence
2. Inspirational Motivation
3. Intellectual Stimulation
4. Individualized Consideration

This post will focus on Inspirational Motivation. In their book, Transformational Leadership, Bernard M. Bass and Ronald E. Riggio state, “Transformational leaders behave in ways that motivate and inspire those around them by providing meaning and challenge to their followers’ work” (p. 6). Essentially, transformational leaders have the ability to inspire and motivate their team. 

In my book, A Leader Worth Imitating, I discuss inspiration (Principle 8). I explain that there are two reasons someone might follow a leader: Obligation or inspiration. Obligation is when you have to follow a leader. Inspiration is when you want to follow a leader.

As a transformational leader, you might not get to choose who is on your team. However, you do get to choose how you inspire them.

Think About It: Do the people you lead feel obligated or inspired to follow you? How can you inspire your team? 

_{Originally posted on July 11, 2023. Last updated on October 28, 2025.}

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If your interested in learning more about the four components of transformational leadership, check out the accompanying posts:

• What is Transformational Leadership?
• What is Idealized Influence?
• What is Intellectual Stimulation?
• What is Individualized Consideration?