“One person with passion is better than forty people merely interested.”  E. M. Forster

Passion is one essential element for leadership. A leader with passion and little talent will always out perform a leader with talent and little passion.

However, our modern definition of passion leaves much to be desired in the true application of this thought. We often are limited to think about passion as enthusiasm or excitement.

The word originally comes from a Latin word that involves the idea of suffering. Mel Gibson’s attempt at creating the crucifixion of Jesus named the move The Passion of the Christ. His efforts were to show how much Jesus suffered.

Considering this idea, leaders must be those who have passion. They are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to lead. They suffer and their life is characterized by discipline.

Leaders need to have enthusiasm. They need to be driven to achieve their goals, but when leaders are passionate they are willing to suffer, making the sacrifices needed to do whatever it takes to achieve the goal.

Leadership will never be easy, but the results of passion will always change lives.