Leaders need passion, how does it work?
I become more fascinated by people and behaviour. Can you think of any outstanding leaders and what it is that sets these people apart? Some develop in large corporations, through political activity and many other routes. It's therefore difficult to pin point one characteristic that is common to all. There are I think three characteristics that have to be there for effective leadership; 1 Self critical to the point of setting standards for ones self so that others will want to measure up and help. If people know what you stand for they are going to be confident in your company and listen to what you have to say. 2 Natural, so that you are the genuine article. No airs and graces, down to earth, easy but decisive. Again people will know where they stand and know you have courage and confidence. 3 Passionate about what you do. If you think of some of the great leaders, they were/are passionate about their cause. Committed to achieve strategic results and will follow through until achieved. No matter what you are engaged in, corporate activity, entrepreneurial activities, consulting or your job at home/own business in some form you will need passion to achieve success. Passion, to make your contribution to the corporation. Passion, to exploit your entrepreneurial instincts. Passion, to give outstanding service. Passion, for your product. I remember early in my corporate career having to take over a department and organise it as a profit centre. It needed re-organising with proper management disciplines introduced. There was lot of resistance to change but one person understood what was needed. He gave total support and we turned the department round. I was passing through; he was established and took over the running of the now profitable department. He never believed he could do it but went to make an outstanding success; he developed into an effective manager. Proud as I am of what we achieved together and pleased for him for what he went on to become, he was not what I would describe as a natural leader. If he hadn't been shown the way he would have continued to accept the status quo. Perhaps he lacked some of the passion real leaders need.
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