“Encourage one another and build each other up.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)
Happy Friday, Brew Nation!
At Growing Champions, our vision is simple yet bold: To Inspire, Encourage, and Equip leaders to be the leaders they were called to be.
Lately, I’ve been asked a powerful question by a few people in my community:
What’s the difference between inspiring someone and encouraging them? Aren’t they basically the same thing?
It’s a great question—and the difference, while subtle, reveals something profound about how we grow leaders and help people move forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Encouragement: Fuel for the Moment
Encouragement is about giving someone the courage they need in a specific moment. It’s situational. It’s personal. It says, “I see you. You’re tired. You’re frustrated. But I believe in you. You’ve got this.”
Think about a coach on the sidelines during a tough game. The player messes up, and their shoulders slump. The coach puts a hand on their shoulder and says, “Next play. You’ve trained for this. Keep going.” That’s encouragement.
Encouragement helps people push through doubt, fatigue, failure, or fear. It doesn’t ignore the obstacle—it stands beside them in it. It’s like putting fuel in someone’s lamp so they can keep burning a little longer.
Encouragers walk with people. They step into someone’s current reality and say, “I’m here with you.” It’s in the check-in message, the “you’ve got this” text, or the quiet moment where you help someone take just one more step. Encouragement is presence. It’s fuel in the tank. It’s grit, offered generously.
Inspiration: Fire for the Future
Inspiration, on the other hand, lifts someone’s gaze. It shows them something greater. It’s about possibility, not just perseverance. Inspiration stirs a longing, a desire to become something more.
Picture that same coach not just helping players get through the game, but reminding them why it matters. Maybe they share a story of a team that overcame the odds, or they model character, grit, and integrity in the way they lead every day. Maybe they show a highlight reel of a championship comeback.
Inspiration makes someone say, “I want to be like that. I want to chase that vision.”
Inspirers lead toward a destination. They expand horizons and spark purpose. Inspiration connects someone’s daily effort to a deeper mission.
It’s not about cheerleading—it’s about vision-casting. It says: “There’s more in you. Let me show you what’s possible.”
And here’s the key: people don’t follow inspiration just because it sounds good—they follow it because it’s real. They’ve seen it modeled. They’ve felt its impact. And they believe it’s possible for them, too.
Why Both Are Essential
If you only encourage, you help someone take the next step—but they may never know why they’re walking. If you only inspire, you show a mountain peak—but they might never find the confidence to start climbing.
Leadership that lasts? It does both.
Encouragement says: You can do this today.
Inspiration says: There’s something great waiting tomorrow.
And when both work together, leaders are ignited with vision—and grounded in courage.
Think about the people you’ve been most impacted by. Chances are, they didn’t just motivate you with big dreams—they walked beside you when it got hard. They didn’t just show you what was possible—they stayed close when you doubted yourself.
That’s why great leaders build both muscle and momentum. They call people upward and walk with them forward.
At Growing Champions, We Deliver Both.
Our mission isn’t just to talk about purpose—we’re here to walk with leaders as they discover and live it. That means we:
- Inspire with stories, Scripture, and vision
- Encourage with coaching, tools, and truth
- Equipped with resources, strategies, and support to take action
We believe in leaders who stay grounded in truth, fueled by purpose, and willing to climb their own rock walls—and then turn around to help others climb theirs.
We help leaders:
- Get unstuck
- Reignite their passion
- Build confidence and consistency
- Create cultures of clarity and compassion
Because the world doesn’t just need more leaders—it needs better ones. Those who speak life and lead by example. Ones who lift others up and keep showing up.
Being effective as a leader means knowing when to lift someone’s eyes to what’s possible—and when to walk beside them through what’s hard. That’s why I believe leaders must learn to be both inspirers and encouragers. Inspiration gives people a compelling vision to chase. Encouragement gives them the strength to take the next step when it gets tough. At Growing Champions, we equip leaders with both a powerful sense of purpose and the practical courage to pursue it. Because leadership isn’t just about casting vision—it’s about showing up. And when you do both, you multiply your impact.
👉 Want to bring both fire and fuel to your leadership?
📩 Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the word ‘BOTH’ in the subject line, and I’ll send you the Inspire + Encourage Reflection Guide to help you lead with clarity, conviction, and care.
- Quote of the Week
“Inspiration lights the fire. Encouragement keeps it burning.”
What You Need to Do
Your Call to Action: Be Both. This week, ask yourself:
- Who in my world needs inspiration—a reminder of the bigger picture?
- Who needs encouragement—a hand on their back and a word of courage?
Then, choose to show up. Paint the vision. Then walk beside them.
Start your team meeting with a story that stirs their hearts. Then check in with someone individually who’s feeling tired. Cast vision and then lend strength. Be the leader who does both.
And here’s your leadership stretch: Which one comes more naturally to you—Inspiring or Encouraging?
And which one will you intentionally develop this week?
👉 Let me know in the comments or shoot me an email. And if you want to grow in both, I’ve got a resource for you.
📩 Email me at coachjohngallagher@gmail.com with the word ‘BOTH’ in the subject line, and I’ll send you the Inspire + Encourage Reflection Guide to help you lean into both sides of your leadership calling.
It’s an honor to serve as your trusted “Friday Coffee Guy.” Each week, I bring what I’m learning, what I’m seeing, and what I believe can move us all toward uncommon leadership. If this edition challenged or encouraged you, consider sharing it with someone you lead, love, or learn from, and don’t forget to subscribe.
Let’s grow Brew Nation together!
Until next time — Stay Inspired. Stay Encouraged. And Keep Growing, Champions! 💪
P.S. Want to share your story of courage and grace on The Uncommon Leader Podcast? Email me and let’s connect!
