In all my years working with clients, regardless their type of business, one thing has proven true time and time again: the most successful companies are the ones with a leader whose passion drives the enterprise.
Passion is both fire and fuel to a business. It is what sets it apart from the competition. It is what provides a positive and forceful sense of direction. To be passionate is to know your own purpose and use your business as a means of realizing it. If you’re passionate, you can articulate that passion to others and inspire them to be conspirators in your purpose.
One can always tell when a company is driven by passion; it has that “something” no other competitor has. Think of Apple, driven by the late Steve Jobs and his passion to innovate and democratize technology. While there are plenty of other computer companies out there, it was Jobs’ passion that truly separates Apple from the rest.
Passion is equal parts Mission, Vision and Determination. It’s the desire to want to make a difference in the world – or at least your corner of the world.
So what’s your passion? Is it the thing that drives your business and separates it from all others in your field? Can it be easily and clearly articulated to your staff? And do they subscribe to it? Is it the kind of passion that turns your customers into raving fans? Is it contagious?
As we close out the year to begin another, take time to think about what drives and inspires you. Find the passion that’s inside and give thought to how you can more forcefully bring it into your world. And commit to 2012 as the year your passion really began to make a difference.
Very well said, Dan. I like to live my life with this philosophy. It truly is contagious and it makes all that one does much more fun!