Extreme Leadership
Extreme Leadership
Leading Teams with Passion
Say the phrase “passionate leadership” out loud—what is the first thing that comes to mind? Were you nodding your head in agreement, knowing it makes sense, or were you wondering whether or not to continue reading? I urge you to keep reading—you may learn how to channel your “passion” in a productive way and use this powerful emotion within your leadership skills, drawing out the best traits of your employees.
Interestingly, the origin of the word “passion” comes from passio or suffering (Webster, 1979). As such, passion is loaded with emotion, with desire, with action, and with thought. Passion is at the root of creative genius, personal transformation and notable events. While leadership has many dimensions and meanings, we will use "…the art of mobilizing others to want to struggle for shared aspirations…" from The Leadership Challenge, Kouzes and Posner.
Now as we think about our organizations, what is one of our most precious resources? I believe it is our people—they bring skills, training, desire, knowledge, dreams, concerns, misconceptions, past work experiences, socialization differences, hope, energy and more...
Imagine the ability to create synergy from the cumulative effect of each employee interacting with his/her work and with each other to deliver the highest quality and level of client service.
Given the escalating demand for talent, the current economic conditions, reduced labor pool, focus on work/life balance, and the various difficulties in achieving our business goals, being passionate leaders in attracting, developing, and retaining our employees is critical.
As outlined in Transforming Work, there has never been a more important time for leaders to create places where individuals come to work each day charged up and excited about the work they are asked to do—places where people are passionate about their work.
Passionate leaders are critical to a healthy and vibrant organizational culture. Passionate work is the difference between lethargy, manipulation, we-versus-them, and “just tell me what to do” employees versus highly productive problem-solving, tightly focused, creative employees. Employees who are focused on generating ideas, exercising more discipline, exhibiting more perseverance, working smarter not harder and inspiring others to higher levels of performance.
Organizations need people for their talent, their energy and their effort; people need organizations for the rewards they provide. These rewards are intrinsic (e.g., important work, creative outlets), extrinsic (such as salary, benefits), or social (affiliation, social integration).
“We may affirm absolutely that nothing great in the world
has been accomplished without passions.”
Hegel, Philosophy of History, 1832
So now think again of the words “passion” – intensity, focus, unwavering commitment – and “leadership” – shared objectives/goals. Passionate leadership is total engagement—being safe to think (and step outside) the box. Passionate leadership creates a nurturing environment that provides meaningful and challenging (but realistic) work, opportunities for learning, incentives and rewards.
Leading with passion can also help you understand the pressures of immediate tasks, the bottom line and balance employees’ personal needs with work deadlines, and at the end of the day, can encourage fun. The result is employees who are ready to face the day’s challenges and opportunities—employees who love what they do! Passionate leadership is extreme leadership!
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Link to Stella M. on LinkedInFind out more about Stella M. at http://www.grantthornton.com
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