This month, our fifth on this intentional leadership journey, is focused on Passion.
Passion: The driving force that propels us to take on challenges and pursue dreams.
Passion is the inner fuel that drives each of us to excel; it’s our chief source of energy and supplies us with motivation.
Think about it: How much effort do you put into things you feel only “so-so” about. How much effort do you put into things you are passionate about? In performance management arenas, we see this as the difference between an employee doing just what he/she needs to do to get by (meet expectations) and an employee functioning in the “discretionary performance” zone — giving more than 100% effort towards his/her job.
Unfortunately, passion can run out.
In some ways, that’s what happened to Juliana Margulies, former star of the hit series ER and current star of The Good Wife. She left ER, even though the producers offered her $27 million to stay! She had other dreams, other goals, other passions she wanted to follow…and she did. And now, she’s back with another hit show. She wanted to do things that she wouldn’t have gotten to do had she stayed on with ER, and was wise enough to know that if she didn’t take the chance when she had it, she might not have it, again.
Before we start into our weekly process exploring our passion, let’s take some time today to ponder some questions which will help you get settled into thinking about this month’s theme.
In your life, what gives you the greatest fulfillment?
When has your passion been dimmest? Why?
What people and/or activities stoke your passion?
Of the people you know, who strikes you as the most passionate? Why?
As John Maxwell would say: “What makes you sing?”
