In my working life there have been a number of people who have inspired me, however coming from a leadership perspective I want to refer to one Manager at my previous role outside of education that was not only inspirational in the context of our work but also in the way she behaved outside of the working environment as well.
This person was in an acting manager role covering for someone on leave for two years. She was particularly young to be given the opportunity but the way in which she conducted herself in the leadership role, it was clear this was her career trajectory and that she would excel in her roles as a leader. She exuded competence in her role, she knew the information and the policies and procedures like the back of her hand. She was empathetic, a good listener, was able to problem solve and employ critical thinking to the work we were doing. She was able to acknowledge if she was lacking in information or understanding and strove to learn at every opportunity to better herself for us as her staff.
I can only hope that if I find myself in a leadership role that is hierarchical in the future, that I will lead with as much empathy and understanding as she did.