This is a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something. This is often displayed through strong opinions, vocal beliefs, and excessive time/financial investment in a particular activity. When you see yourself putting more energy into something than most around you do, that is passion.
Passion is important for leaders for at least two reasons. First, your passion as a leader is one piece of the self-awareness puzzle that will enable you to focus your energies on the causes that resonate with the core of who you are. In addition to your personality, natural talents and gifts, you need to understand and tap into your passions.
Second, as a leader, you will need to help others understand their passions so you can place members of your team in areas of responsibility where they have intrinsic motivational forces flowing from within.
I like how Steve Moore captures this in the Growing Leaders Blog: Passions are like interests on steroids
When someone has a true passion, it speaks. Here are five indicators of this according to this article:
- Commit honestly – Passionate leaders genuinely believe in what they espouse. People are touched and engaged by the genuineness of their passion.
- Make a clear case without being dogmatic – They convey the power of their belief without dismissing or belittling others’ points of view.
- Invite real dialogue about their passion – Their passion is balanced with openness: they want to hear and integrate others’ points of view.
- Act in support of their passion – They walk their talk: their day-to-day behaviors support their beliefs.
- Stay committed despite adversity and setbacks – Their commitment isn’t flimsy; when difficulties arise, they hold to their principles and find a way forward:
Passion is contagious. When goals have been defined, passion will motivate and inspire others to bring their best into the game to achieve these goals, whether for themselves or for the thing you are passionate about. Goals setting is very important here, which is what is tied to a vision that you.
Understanding your passions is an intrinsic component of success. If this is something you struggle to relate to on a daily basis, note that passions could be interest-based or issue-based. Whether it is one or the other, you can use the four-pointers of LEARN, PARTICIPATE, RECRUIT, PAY to Pursue, to zoom down to areas of passion for you.
Here is the simple Passion Finder Matrix from Growing Leaders Blog. They also have a passion profile creator if interested here: https://www.mypassionprofile.com
Have you identified the things you are passionate about?
What have you done about this? Next Steps?
What is holding you back from engaging?