Leading through belief: managing the power of hope

Abstract

Purpose

Leaders have long understood the importance a belief system has on the productivity of their team. The authors explain how can such an intangible motivational force be addressed and how leaders have the capability to influence a firm's success by inspiring positive beliefs.

Design/methodology/approach

Belief management involves recognizing those beliefs that both hinder and promote the advancement of a leader's vision. This includes the leader's beliefs as well as those of the team.

Findings

To begin managing beliefs, executives should take three initial steps: identify core belief, ask others what they believe, brand your beliefs.

Research limitations/implications

Dr Gregory Berns, a psychiatrist and neuroscientist at Emory University in Atlanta mapped the neurological effects of a belief exercise on his test subjects. Through the use of magnetic resonance imaging, Berns could see specific changes in cellular activity.

Practical implications

There's new evidence that a leader's beliefs are the foundations for each team's aspirations.

Originality/value

Leaders must not only tell people what they believe but let them know why they believe. If managed correctly, these beneficial beliefs will spread throughout a company to all its stakeholders.

Citation

Razeghi, A. (2006), "Leading through belief: managing the power of hope", Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 34 No. 5, pp. 49-51. https://doi.org/10.1108/10878570610684847