Leading with Hope: The Key to Influence and Success
Hope is the foundation of effective leadership. According to Gallup’s Global Leadership Report: What Followers Want, 56% of attributes linked to influential leaders center on the theme of hope, making it the most critical leadership quality worldwide. This insight underscores a core message of Women Who Lead: Navigating a Path of Influence and Success: that true leadership influence begins with an internal transformation and extends outward to inspire and guide others.
Hope as the Cornerstone of Influence
Hope is not simply about optimism; it is about creating a clear vision for the future and instilling confidence in others. Gallup’s research highlights that hope significantly impacts workplace leadership, with 64% of organizational leaders valued most for their ability to provide it. Without hope, individuals can disengage, lose confidence, and struggle to remain resilient in challenging environments.
Women Who Lead aligns with this research, emphasizing that leadership starts with self-awareness and a growth mindset. A leader who nurtures hope within themselves—through reflection, self-management, and continuous development—is better equipped to instill it in their teams and communities.
Internal Change: Cultivating Hope from Within
Before leaders can inspire others, they must develop hope internally. This requires self-awareness, resilience, and a mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities. Women Who Lead guides emerging leaders through this journey, encouraging them to build confidence in their ability to create change. Hope begins when leaders understand their values, strengths, and purpose—essential elements for fostering long-term influence.
External Change: Bringing Hope to Others
Hope becomes truly powerful when leaders apply it to drive external change. According to Gallup, organizational leaders must set a vision that helps followers navigate uncertainty. Leaders who communicate with clarity, authenticity, and conviction create an environment where employees and stakeholders feel motivated and empowered.
In Women Who Lead, external change is explored through mentorship, advocacy, and decision-making. Leaders who prioritize transparency, trust, and shared vision provide the stability and guidance that teams need to thrive. Hope is not about ignoring obstacles but demonstrating how to overcome them.
Hope as the Currency of Influence
True leadership influence is not about titles or authority but the ability to inspire and uplift others. Gallup’s research confirms that followers look to leaders for hope more than other traits. Leaders who demonstrate a commitment to progress and innovation earn credibility and trust, which are essential for long-term influence.
Women Who Lead explores how women in leadership can harness hope to shape their careers, empower their teams, and challenge systemic barriers. Through practical strategies and real-life examples, the book helps leaders leverage hope as a tool for meaningful impact.
Leading with Hope for Greater Success
Gallup’s findings reaffirm the core principles of Women Who Lead: that leadership influence is rooted in self-awareness, a vision for the future, and the ability to inspire hope in others. By leading with hope, women can navigate challenges, build trust, and create opportunities for themselves and those they lead.
For those looking to strengthen their leadership impact, embracing hope is not optional—it is essential. Women Who Lead guides leaders who are ready to cultivate this transformative quality and use it to drive change, influence, and success.
Gallup, Inc. (2025). Global leadership report: What followers want. Gallup. Retrieved from https://www.gallup.com
ABOUT DENEEN
As the founder of Attard Leadership Academy (ALA), DeNeen provides a range of transformative services—including micro-lessons, virtual and in-person courses, workshops, and group coaching—designed to support leadership growth in a dynamic, on-demand format. Her 1:1 experience coaching and mentoring leaders within Fortune 500 companies have equipped her with the insight to address high-level professionals’ nuanced challenges. She has also worked extensively in Career Services, guiding Veterans and executive-level graduate students toward career advancement and leadership roles with clarity and purpose.
For more resources, including books, courses, and leadership programs, visit https://attardleadershipacademy.com/.
