Tag: Passion

GRIT

I came across a thought expressed by Shayne McClendon that has great implication for leadership, “I will breathe. I will think of solutions, I will not let my worry control me. I will not let my stress level break me. I will simply breathe. And it will be okay. Because I don’t quit.”

I specifically found it interesting because it directly relates to one of the strongest books I’ve read in recent years written by Angela Duckworth, Grit. This one is worth your time.

The power of passion and perseverance in leadership cannot be overstated. No matter what happens, GRIT is the core of success.

Great Leaders

There is no doubt that great leaders need to understand their strengths and weaknesses. They know the areas where they lack ability and how to find the individuals with the strengths to complement those areas.

Great leaders then focus on their strengths. Numerous sources claim that leaders should focus 80% of their time in areas of their strengths and only 20% in areas of weakness.

Focusing on the areas of passion and strength makes a good leader great, and makes a great leader outstanding.

The challenge for us is taking time to examine and evaluate and then make sure we work to reach our greatest potential.

Think BIG

What could happen if leaders knew how to think big? The passion that drives greatness, especially from a spiritual perspective, must be nothing short of global.

Do we think that God will not do something because we are convinced we can’t do it?

The “grasshopper syndrome” of the spies in Numbers 13-14 orchestrates our own defeat. The problem was not how the Israelites appeared in the eyes of the giants that lived in Canaan. The problem was in how they saw themselves––grasshoppers in their own sight.

Leaders must not fall prey to this mindset. There must be a passion that is driven by and for greatness.

Primal

Do leaders think from a primal perspective? Before we drift into the early stages of evolutionary development, primal carries the impetus of something that is essential or foundational.

Nothing could more essential and foundational to eternity than spiritual leadership.

How does the idea of primal apply to the surroundings of leadership?

The idea relates to the beginnings, first things, primary, essential, and foundational elements of all that is connected to life intellectually, physically, emotionally, and physically.

These elements are the building blocks of all leaders and include integrity, honesty, strong work ethic, passion, confidence in God, discipline, and balance.

A Fire-Lighter

Who are the fire-lighters in your life? We all have them and we need those who can excite passion within us.

Albert Schweitzer once said, “At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person. Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

As a leader, we need to light the fires of others.

Who knows, but in that moment when we stop to extend a helping hand, speak an encouraging word, or give the most valuable gift––our time, we make an eternal difference.

Success

Success relies on the help we receive from or the help we provide others.

Marianne Williamson claims that “success means we go to sleep at night knowing that our talents and abilities were used in a way that served others.”

From a leadership perspective, we find this in biblical application. Biblical success is directly related to our passion, i.e. understanding that passion involves sacrifice, and sacrifice is affiliated with what we give up. When we sacrifice for others, our leadership influence soars.

When our talents and abilities are used to serve others, leadership is at its best. How will you rest tonight?

Passion

Darren Hardy’s book, The Entrepreneur Roller Coaster, talks about “Four Passion Switches.” These switches are below with a snippet of what they reference.

Be passionate about what you do: This one is the most common. People talk about passion for what they do.

Be passionate about why you do it: When we understand the why behind our vision and mission, passion increases.

Be passionate about how you do it: Going above and beyond represents quality, not just settling for good enough.

Be passionate about who you do it for: Knowing who benefits (family, community, country, etc.) drives passion upwards.

Find ways to increase your passion as a leader.

Enthusiastic Leadership

How we approach life comes down to a choice. No one knows how long they have left on this earth.

Doesn’t it make sense that we choose to live each moment to the fullest God intended.

Roald Dahl said, “I began to realize how important it was to be an enthusiast in life. If you are interested in something, no matter what it is, go at it full speed. Embrace it with both arms, hug it, love it and above all become passionate about it. Lukewarm is no good.”

Leaders must demonstrate the choice to live enthusiastically. It is contagious and it changes all who follow.

The Passion Pyramid

Yesterday, I wrote about passionate leaders where I discussed Steve Moore’s emphasis on interest-based and issue-based passion. Steve’s book, Who is My Neighbor, digs more deeply into the idea of what he calls the passion pyramid.

He refers to four levels of passion.

The first level involves the inner desire to learn.
The second level is where we engage in activities we are passion about.
The third level is when we influence others to participate.
The fourth level requires sacrifice of time, energy, and resources.

Passion cannot be hidden. When we become passionate about Christ, we will change the world.

Passionate Leaders

According to Dr. Tim Elmore, what you want (desires), why you have want it (motives), and how badly you want it (passion) all speak to fundamentals of leadership.

Little is accomplished without passion. Our challenge involves how to determine that passion.

President of Growing Leaders, Steve Moore, emphasizes the necessity of recognizing the difference between “interest-based passions and issue-based passions.”

Interest-based passions are areas we have an interest in combined with a natural ability, often times sports or recreational activities.

Issue-based passions are connected to causes which provide fulfillment, and “give us a sense of purpose,” such as rectifying social injustices.

What are you passionate about?