We hear a lot about following our passion, living to what we're passionate about, etc. Psychologists tell us that it's passion that drives us to do what we do and that it's passion that helps us define a sense of purpose.
The world of leadership, executive coaching, strategy, and organizational culture (as linked to bottom-line performance) feeds my soul, and it literally ignites my passion to do more of what I do every single day. Helping leaders do what they do…better is my mantra. Using the pathways of Annual Planning, Quarterly Planning, Metrics Dashboards (such as Rhythm Systems' Rhythm
Never underestimate the strategic value of passion. Passion is the soul's fuel. It is what generates forward movement and it's what gives an organization a sense of energy. In fact, passion plays a key role in the overall perceived 'personality' of your organization. If passion wanes, it's like a car that's running out of gas. Forward movement begins to sputter with jerks and jolts and a feeling of desperation begins to set in. Suddenly, passion is overwhelmed by a sense of survival.
Can passion be misplaced? Of course it can. But that's exactly why great leaders always want to challenge their own assumptions. It's why great leadership teams strategically create a sense of transparency with clarified goals and a common sense of purpose. As Jim Collins has said, focus and alignment are two critical elements of leadership. Focus is important, but alignment may be a leader's greatest work. Consider passion, then, as a strategic tool. With it, you'll see forward movement around meaningful goals and a unified sense of purpose. Without it, you'll have mediocrity at best.