I attended the 2016 Global Leadership Conference a few weeks ago and it was outstanding as always. (I would highly recommend this annual event for anyone interested in enhancing his or her leadership.)
A Common Theme
This year, a majority of the speakers focused on the importance of a leader’s passion for their work. If you are not passionate about what you are doing, you can’t expect your team to be either. When you lack passion in the workplace, the performance of you and the team will also feel the negative impact.
“Passion is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without passion.”
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Great Starts with Passion
If we believe that nothing great was ever achieved without passion, it is clearly important to have passion! It is up to you to build energy in your environment!
It all hinges on your passion.
But what should you be passionate about? Certainly you want to be passionate about your purpose as well as your vision. Sharing and living out your passion in these areas will help ignite the hearts of your team as well.
But servant leaders are equally as passionate about their team. When you are genuinely passionate about your team and the people you work with, you will drive performance beyond expectations. People will aspire to be on your team!
Jesus As Your Guide
Following Jesus’ guidance on passion for people is a great place to start. Thinking about your team on a daily basis is a great way to stay passionate about people. Lead with the following mentality towards your team:
- I am proud of you.
- I care about you.
- I trust you.
- I love you.
As an employee, a child, or a team member, who wouldn’t want to have their leader be proud of them? We all want to be genuinely cared for, trusted and loved. Get passionate about making the people in your life feel this way and the impact will be multiplied.
Passionate leaders build energy within their team. Energized teams drive high performance. High performance leads to success.
What makes you passionate in your work and in leading your team? Share it with us in the comments below.
Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24
Thank you for the message Mr. Deterding!
It’s September, where’s my autographed book? I can’t wait to see it for sure.
love ya pal
mark
Hey Mark, great to hear from you! It won’t be long now. Book will be released the last week of September! Blessings on the continued great work you do in lifting others through your awesome leadership!
Mark
I try showing or telling my people I care and value them on a daily basis. Even a kind word or small act of kindness toward them goes a long way. It’s something every lead must do if they want to influence people. Great post!
Dan, there is no better way to build energy as a leader than to let people know how much you care for them, value them, and acknowledge their great work every step of the way. You are an awesome model of that!! Thanks so much for all you do in advancing the principles of servant leadership!