Recently, I began reading a new book about leadership. I will spare you the details at this point. Suffice it to say something in the beginning of the book really caught my eye and it has to do with the word “passion.”

We often think about people being passionate and we associate the thought of excitement, enthusiasm and a number of other characteristics.

However, the history of this word shows it comes from a Latin word meaning “suffer.”

Most will remember the movie The Passion Of The Christ. The title of this movie was derived from the idea of the Latin word. Certainly, the movie was filled with the suffering of Jesus.

The book I referenced is A Leader’s Legacy. The authors quickly point out the need for leaders to understand they must serve and suffer.

The significance of suffering is about the willingness of leaders to put the needs of others above themselves. It is a Biblical truth and the quality of great leadership will only be seen when leaders abandon a self-seeking worldly approach.

Be passionate, but understand what passion really means.