Despite the still-weak economy, Americans of all ages and incomes are continuing to grow increasingly unhappy at work.  According to a study conducted for The Conference Board, only 45% of people in 5,000 U.S. households surveyed said they were satisfied with their jobs.  In 1987, when the survey was first conducted, 61.1% of those surveyed were satisfied with their jobs.

So, what has changed so drastically in the last 23 years?  According to The Conference Board, the drop in job satisfaction can be attributed to a number of factors including interest in work and job security.  One of the main drivers of this trend is a lack of confidence in leaders and organizations.

How can you ensure that your employees are happy with their jobs and satisfied working for your company?  Below are 5 characteristics shared by the most inspirational, effective leaders:

1. Anchored. Anchored leaders are well-positioned in an organization’s culture and flow.  They understand contemporary trends and how they affect business.
2. Optimistic. The most inspirational leaders share a world view of possibility and choose to focus on future success rather than dwell on challenges and difficulties.
3. Purpose-driven. Leaders who inspire understand that a workforce will embrace a well-communicated purpose.  Inspirational leaders coax results through sharing a vision that engages employees.
4. Unselfish. Leaders who focus on creating a positive environment for employees first are often considered inspirational.  Unselfish leaders are also more likely to make decisions to benefit the business in the long-term.
5. Respectful. Inspirational leaders recognize that, with the economic dust starting to settle, businesses may require extreme changes.  They appreciate the value of treating employees with respect and keeping the lines of communication open.

Are you an inspirational leader?  Do you think that you have what it takes to turn around job satisfaction numbers?  What advice do you have for other leaders to help them increase job satisfaction in their own companies?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

Source:  The Conference Board (http://www.conference-board.org/)

The ideal leader inspires her employees to achieve exceptional results every single day.  But in order to become the ideal boss, you first need to determine which type of leader you are currently.  Below are four different types of leaders.  Which one are you?

Do you run your company like you run your home? If so, you’re a nurturing leader.  Being a nurturing leader means that you center your personal behavior on what is going to help most in your employees’ development.  You discuss things like career goals with them and include them in the company’s decision-making process.

The key to success for this kind of leader is maintaining a line between nurturing and mothering employees.  Don’t become a doormat to your employees.

Do you demand perfection for your employees or occasionally place unrealistic demands on them? If so, you’re a perfectionist leader.  Perfectionist leaders tend to have little or no patience for mistakes or questions and will sometimes berate or embarrass employees by telling them they aren’t good enough.

The key to success for this kind of leader is trying to be open to employee questions or concerns.  When someone comes to you, realize that they are only asking in order to maintain your standards of excellence as well as the customers.

Do your employees come to you with all of their problems, both professional and personal? If so, then you’re a nice leader.  Nice leaders are those who listen to employees and customers and work themselves to the bone trying to solve the problems of others.

The key to success for this kind of leader is avoiding involvement in personal problems.  If an employee needs to talk, lend them an ear.  But avoid blurring or crossing the lines between work lives and personal lives.

Do you believe in leading by example and mentoring employees? If so, then you’re a commander leader.  As a commander leader, you have the ability to communicate clearly with your employees.  You help them understand where you want to go and why they should want to go with you.

The key to success for this kind of leader is remembering that teamwork is paramount.  Check your ego at the door and remember that you won’t get to where you want to go without the support of your employees.

Whatever type of leader you are, remember that it is your job to inspire your employees.  A successful business is determined by the success of the employees.  The success of employees rests on the shoulders of the leader.  So, who will you inspire today?

This post originally appeared on WomenOnBusiness.com, a blogging community run by female entrepreneurs.  You can learn more about WomenOnBusiness by visiting www.womenonbusiness.com.