The French word for people who seek to create systemic change is animateur. An animateur (from the root animer) is someone who ‘brings to life’ a new way of thinking, seeing or interacting that creates focus and energy. While few non-French speakers may be familiar with this word, in fact it expresses the essence of leadership. Leadership is strongly associated with inspiration, but few appreciate how important that association is. Inspire – from the Latin root inspirare – means ‘to breathe life into’. In this sense, leadership is inspiration, the creation of new life and energy in organisations.

Animateurs are professionals who create revolutions that legitimise thinking and actions needed to live beyond the status quo.  They do so by making that behaviour part of their daily routine. Conversations and actions become more productive. As animateurs deal with practical problems, accomplish tangible goals, and reflect on the results, people move from concept to action. Doing so builds confidence and a stronger sense of purpose that’s not bogged down by self importance. Often it is only when people look back, when the larger scope of the journey is evident, that they see just how deep and far-reaching their achievements have been and how much they have developed personally and on the journey.

Peter Senge from ‘ The Necessary Revolution’