“Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.”
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I had the distinguished honor of giving the keynote address this week at the mid winter conference for the Utah Association of Middle and High School Principals. What a pleasure it was to be in the presence of such passionate and dedicated leaders.
It was the perfect place to debut a new framework for leadership and systems improvement I have been working on called:
The Five C’s of Passion Driven Leadership
I believe passion to be the single most important asset we have as educators, education leaders, and educational organizations. Passion differentiates us consistently over time, and it needs to be nurtured, evolved, and invigorated by the people entrusted to keep it true and alive.
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. Let’s make sure we paint a vivid picture of that 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. Show them 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.
These 5C’s taken together are what set apart a good school from a great school. Any leader who decides to adopt this level of intensity and conviction will be valued and admired.
I closed the speech with the following call to A.C.T. which stands for:
A – Action
C – Change
T – Time.
As you consider each of these passion driven principles,on any of these principles and practices which ones:
A – take immediate action on
C – consider letting go of, changing direction or course
T – devote the most time, talent, and resources to passion
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!
The Five C’s framework provides a powerful guide for school leaders striving to elevate their institutions from good to great, but applying these principles requires deliberate effort. As leaders embrace the A.C.T. model—taking action, initiating change, and investing time—it becomes crucial to have the right tools to translate these ideals into practical strategies.
This is where structured learning materials can make a real difference. 15Worksheets educational resources offer a way to engage with these leadership principles in a more hands-on manner, providing worksheets that help leaders analyze their current approaches, set actionable goals, and track their progress.
Whether it’s a reflection exercise on passion-driven decision-making or an action plan for school improvement, these resources support the process of turning visionary leadership into measurable success.
Passion is the foundation, but it is through intentional practice and structured learning that true transformation happens—because leadership is not just about inspiration; it’s about making a lasting impact.
Resources:
To support the passion driven leaders willing to commit to this work, the following resources were shared:
Books Referenced in the Talk:
- Daniel Pink- Drive
- Carol Dweck- Mindset
- The Passion Driven Classroom
- Heath Brothers – Switch
- Seth Godin- LinchPin
- Simon Sinneck- Start with Why
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