Most of us have a person that is their standard for an effective, influential leader and role model. That person may have been a coach, a teacher, a politician, minister, mentor, owner or boss. Regardless of who it was, there is someone who had played a significant role in our lives and who we would readily assign as an example of great leadership qualities.
One of the more popular discussion on blog posts, media channels, and articles is defining those qualities that exist in great leaders–business or political community. As we are all individuals, with our own tastes, personal styles, needs, values, and drivers, coming up with a single descriptor of a leader is likely very difficult. For there are likely a multitude of traits that are the reasons we look back on our role model leaders and hold them to that high standard.
One trait that I can comfortably assign to most leaders is that particular aura, energy or enthusiasm that they bring to a situation that draws people to them. The word that I like to use to describe that trait is their passion.
Great leaders demonstrate a certain passion that rallies, motivates, and inspires people. When others are caught up in this energy, they take action, bond and connect with others, enroll and participate, or simply get busy. Regardless, leaders have a passion that drives people to accomplish unbelievable things.
Leadership can take many roles, operate in different arenas, and possess unique personality styles. However, I am pretty confident that when you think back to those people who have inspired, motivated, driven, and pushed you, one trait they demonstrated to you was their passion for what they were doing.
