“Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Passion is the single most important asset we have as individuals, SMB’s and corporate leaders. It differentiates us consistently over time, and needs to be nurtured, evolved, & invigorated by the people entrusted to keep it true and alive. Two years ago I was given the distinguished honor of giving the keynote address in a conference full of Middle and High School Principals. What a pleasure it was to be in the presence of such passionate and dedicated leaders. There I debuted a framework for leadership and systems improvement I had been working on, and am still using to this day. Here’s a peek at the presentation and the talking points for what turned out to be a fantastic and passion-driven conversation.
Clear Direction
The future may be made up of many uncertain factors, but the passionate will not only survive…they will thrive. Make sure to paint a vivid picture of our future immersed in choice, leveraged with opportunity, and fueled by passion.
Make sure to paint a vivid picture of our future immersed in choice, leveraged with opportunity, and fueled by passion.
Clarity Focus
Ambiguity is the enemy of change. The resistance we feel in moving people forward dissipates when we articulate the steps and behaviors need for the entire community to move towards achieving its vision, mission, and goals.
Capacity
Everyone has the capacity to learn therefore everyone has the capacity to change. It is important not to ensure the work ahead is “easy” but to make the hard work they will be doing easier by promising the conditions that build confidence and competence are present in every experience and interaction.
Credibility
We live in an information abundant but trust-scarce world. People want to know they can trust the individuals who define and design their future. To garner that trust, leaders must “go first” so that we are able to grant those who follow us the things they desire most – empathy, familiarity, insight, and compassion. Do not tell them what the future holds – go there first!
Courage
In times of big, complex change; it seems logical that we need big complicated solutions. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Less is more. The courageous leader is not the one who says yes to every new program, initiative, and invention. The courageous leader says no letting go of all that does not matter.
To garner that trust, leaders must “go first” so that we are able to grant those who follow us the things they desire most – empathy, familiarity, insight, and compassion.
In sum, any leader who decides to adopt this level of intensity and conviction will be valued and admired. Passions are not a nicety they are a necessity. It’s important that we recognize them, nurture them, and let them know that they matter. To all the passion driven leaders I have the honor and privilege of working with and learning from, I have two final words for you: YOU MATTER!
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This Post was Originally Published on 23March2014 by our friends on SwitchandShift.com!
