Tag: Passion

Passion

One of my favorite leadership subjects is passion. Too many people lack passion in our world today. One reason is because so few understand what passion really means.

However, research shows the word passion originates from a Latin word meaning “to 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.

Potential Leadership

Potential: Material dealing with potential is endless. Passion thrives when reaching potential, achieving the life we are capable of living.

Determining potential is the challenge before leaders. Here are a few ideas for determining potential:

1) Attitude – A poor attitude generally equates to low potential, and a good attitude to high potential.

2) Action – Examining the areas of success and failure, along with the reasons behind them, helps determine potential.

3) Ability – Even if ability exists there is always room to improve. Recognizing one’s abilities determines potential.

Servant Leaders

Leadership is not a located idea. Leadership is universal in application and is not limited to race, gender, age, or position.

Anyone can lead from anywhere.

We must continually learn from others about leadership. When we learn about the sacrifice, dedication, passion, and attitude of true servant leaders, we should be encouraged to do the same.

They give their lives to prepare others.
They dedicate their time to the work.
They love their people.
They work to serve, not to be served.

The example provided by them demonstrates the character needed for those who learn from them.

A Tenacious Leader

A tenacious leader possesses a certain ability to hold on to something tightly with an incredible determination.

Look around. It does not take much to see how tenacity affects all areas of life, from recreation to religion. When we examine our priorities we generally find our tenacity.

How can we become more tenacious?

1) Be passionate and remove the impossibility factor.
2) Know what is worth dying for.
3) Have a clear vision of God.
4) Challenge yourself and others to do something great!

These ideas can create a whole new approach to our leadership and move others to greater heights of fulfillment in the Lord’s kingdom.

Essential Leadership

What is essential and what is not? Spiritually speaking, there are a number of components that play a key role.

1) Character: The late General Schwarzkopf clearly indicated that character trumps strategy.

2) Passion: The origin of this word involves suffering. What are we willing to give up to lead?

3) Vision: Vision is about faith, and faith is critical to the development of leadership vision.

4) Goals: Without goals we have no clear way of knowing where we are going.

These are only four areas, but each of them are essential to effective leadership.

Discouragement and Leadership

We learn a great deal from Nehemiah as a leader. He was a man of prayer, passionate for God and his people, courageous in the face of opposition, and he encountered discouragement but was not distracted.

Threats from external enemies, ridicule, and plots of ambush, make it easy to see how one could get discouraged. Nehemiah, however, was not distracted. The task was great, his faith was strong, and nothing kept him from finishing the objective.

Leaders can get discouraged.

Satan wants to discourage leaders so they will quit.

We must be determined, strong in faith, prayerful, passionate, courageous, and un-distracted when finishing the objective.

Perseverance

A common phrase to encourage perseverance is “hold on.” Holding on a few more minutes can make the difference in securing hope, gaining a measure of strength, finding the answer, or reaching the goal.

When we consider giving up, the question becomes, “hold on to what?” Success seems elusive and passion has dwindled to little more than an ember. What can we hold on to?

Reflect on the past.
The past holds a key to how we move forward.
Remember we are not alone. Avoid the Elijah syndrome. God is there.
Realize faith in the vision. Without vision, there is no direction.

Lead with Passion

Too many people work in a career, job, or other activity that is filled with drudgery. They struggle to get out of bed and drag themselves through the day.

Life is too short to participate in any area of life we are not passionate about. When the direction of our life is purposed by our passion, we are excited to get up and go.

Wanda Skyes shared this helpful reminder, “If you feel like there’s something out there that you’re supposed to be doing, if you have a passion for it, then stop wishing and just do it.”

What are we passionate about and are we doing it?

Pursue Your Passion

What leaders pursue is determined by the core values of their character. If their character is biblically based, the pursuit is divinely grounded.

The nature of your pursuits is supported by the passionate and driving force in your life.

At times, the direction may not be what you expect, or the most comfortable, yet it must be pursued.

What gets you up and out the door in the mornings? Are you passionate about and willing to give your life to pursue it, or will you wait until the opportunity passes you by?

Leaders shape the future by their pursuits and so will you.

Fire-Lighting Leadership

Who are the fire-lighters in your life? We all have them and we need those who are able to say or do that one thing that excites the passion within us to act and achieve.

Leaders also need to light the fire in others. Whose fire are you lighting?

Your words and actions have the power to create motivation in the lives of others. The result changes the world.

When you extend a helping hand, speak an encouraging word, or give the most valuable gift, you make an eternal difference.

Be the leader God called you to be in this world.