3 Emotions Every Leader Can Use to Inspire Their Team

When leading through challenges, it’s easy to focus on strategy and execution. But the power of emotions shouldn’t be underestimated. The best leaders don’t just focus on the facts—they vocalize their belief in the team’s ability to succeed.

In this article, we’ll explore three key emotions—hope, pride, and excitement—that leaders can use to inspire and motivate their teams during difficult times. You’ll find insights into how each emotion can shift your team’s mindset and momentum, as well as practical word tracks to help you express these emotions effectively. When balanced with a solid plan, these emotions create a powerful emotional climate that fuels your team’s success.

“Hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible, and achieves the impossible.”

Helen Keller

1. Hope
Hope is about looking ahead and believing that things can and will improve. When your team is facing a challenge, your ability to express hope gives them the confidence they need to stay engaged. It’s not about denying the difficulty of the situation but reminding the team that obstacles are temporary and success is still within reach.

A leader who expresses hope keeps the team from feeling overwhelmed by the present challenges and helps them focus on the progress that’s yet to come. When you vocalize that belief in a positive outcome, you show the team that you’re all in this together and that the future holds better possibilities.

Word tracks for showing hope:
• "I know things are difficult right now, but we’ve made progress, and I’m confident that we’ll get through this together."
• "This may feel overwhelming, but remember that we’re overcoming hurdles every day, and we’re closer to the finish line than we think."
• "The challenges we’re facing are temporary. I believe we will come out on top, just like we’ve done before."

"Real pride often comes from overcoming challenges and believing that we can succeed". 

2. Pride
Pride is about reinforcing the value of what your team has already accomplished. Even when the going gets tough, it’s important to connect current struggles with past successes.

By reminding the team of how far they’ve come and what they’ve already achieved, you help them see that they have the strength and experience to overcome any challenge. Pride gives the team a sense of confidence, reinforcing the idea that they’ve faced tough situations before and come through stronger.

Word tracks for showing pride:
• "I’m incredibly proud of how we’ve navigated through these challenges so far. Just look at how far we’ve come."
• "This project is tough, but every challenge we face is an opportunity to grow stronger and smarter. Look at what we’ve learned so far."
• "We’ve faced similar obstacles before, and each time, we’ve come through stronger. I know we’ll do the same now."

"Excitement at work is not just about the tasks we do, but the passion we bring to them.”

3. Excitement
Excitement is the emotion that shifts your team’s focus from the weight of the challenge to the energy of the possibilities ahead.

Excitement helps the team see beyond the immediate difficulty, focusing their energy on what they can achieve next. It’s contagious—when the leader shows enthusiasm and positivity, the team naturally starts to feel more optimistic and driven to take on the challenge ahead. Your excitement makes them believe that, despite the obstacles, great things are waiting just around the corner.

Word tracks for showing excitement:
• "I’m so excited about what lies ahead for us. Even with the challenges, I know we’re going to create something amazing together."
• "This may be tough right now, but every challenge brings us one step closer to new opportunities and success. What do you see we can achieve from this?"
• "I can’t wait to see what we accomplish next. The future is full of opportunities, and this team is more than ready for them."