Bar chats about leadership - Theme #5 Part 1

Welcome! ?Today is Theme #5 - Power of Passion Part 1- Inspiring Greatness in Others

In my introductory post, I shared that I've had discussions with over 40 successful business leaders about the qualities that distinguish outstanding leaders and ways they develop and strengthen these skills. Most of these conversations happened at a bar. ?There’s something about the ambiance in a bar that fosters a relaxed, candid, and informal exchange. Coincidentally, several of these chats happened while I was bartending. Before taking on my current role as an executive recruiter, I took a break from the corporate world to work as a bartender.

Of the 40 leaders I met, 15 stood out for having qualities critical for today's dynamic business environment - sincerity, adaptability, humility, keen observation, self-awareness, and a motivation that extends beyond material gain and power. These weekly posts are organized into 5 themes and include excerpts from my chats with these 15 exceptional leaders.

I chose passion as the concluding theme because passion is the force that gives purpose to leadership. Without passion, the other themes simply become a collection of skills and qualities. Passion is a combination of genuine love for their work and a dedication to a purpose that extends immediate challenges. “Leaders who lead with high commitment to employees’ growth, who pursue the best interests of customers, and who engage employees as full partners create organization cultures that unlock organization potential and create long-term value.” (Clifton & Harter, 2019). ?This quote comes from a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED read on passionate leadership - a paper entitled - “Leading with Passion – What It Means, Why It Matters”, by Cam Caldwell and Comfort O. Okpala (July 2022) https://scholar.valpo.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1408&context=jvbl

The inspiration for today's theme originated from discussions I had with two outstanding leaders who are passionate about work, industry, and the people they serve! I've split this theme into two posts. Part 1, 'Inspiring Greatness in Others,' draws insights from my conversation with MF. ?Part 2, to be posted next week, includes excerpts from my discussion with DT— a senior partner at a global advisory firm, author, philanthropist, and advisor to start-ups.

A bit about MF

• Heads tech & ops transformation strategy for a global investment management company ?
• 15 years in leadership roles
• Held various ops strategy roles primarily in the Financial Services industry
• Favorite mocktail/ cocktail – Gin & Tonic with splash of St. Germain - https://www.stgermainliqueur.com/cocktails/st-germain-gin-and-tonic/
• St-Germain Elderflower liqueur was launched in 2007 (bought by The Bacardi Company in 2013). It has a light, sweetly floral taste with notes of citrus, pear, and passionfruit. It adds a unique smooth finish to any drink. Please see link for fun facts about St- Germain https://vinepair.com/articles/ntk-st-germain/

Spending time with MF was invigorating; she exudes great energy that's nothing short of a force of nature. Although passion wasn't mentioned during our conversation, it perfectly encapsulates her spirit. MF is deeply committed to her work and industry, and approaches her leadership role with utmost seriousness. She shared a story of a former boss who served as her inspiration early in her career, and interestingly, her description of him mirrored her own qualities. The big takeaway from my conversation with MF is that when leaders are highly passionate, they can inspire greatness in others, and for this reason it is why passion is a standout quality in leadership.

Here’s what MF told me about her former boss:

·???????? “He elevates those around him… possesses a profound industry understanding, a blend of humility, kindness, assertiveness, intelligence, and authenticity… recognizes his responsibility in serving people… acutely aware of his influences, trust, authority, and ability that has been granted to him … individuals on his team admire him, peers and leaders respect and trust him … brings all these elements to make effective change… approaches his role with the highest responsibility… in a competitive and at times cutthroat industry…

·???????? He stands as a shaper and advocate, emphasizing that people are at the center of everything… he would not call himself a people person, but I would say he’s 100% about people because rather than speaking on behalf of people he acts on behalf of them ….”

She went on to say…

·???????? “These qualities were not immediately apparent … I realized it when I met with him to discuss an opportunity impacting my career.? He treated my opportunity it as if it was the most important decision for him and the firm.” ?

MF made it very clear that she does not idolize this person.?

·???????? “He’s by no means perfect, he has flaws and challenges … ?it’s very difficult for example to get on his calendar or keep the meeting, …he avoids confrontation when it would serve him to be more direct… but he’s opened my eyes to the power of playing the long game. “

Passion holds incredible power. It's a superpower that makes us overlook imperfections. If we know a leader is all in for their work, industry, and the people they're helping, we tend to overlook any issues they might have. When someone's truly passionate, their flaws just don't matter as much.

Below is a link to an interview that discusses the importance of passion in leadership and the practice of self- leadership. ??

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARtUAHF3Xm4

Next week's post, Power of Passion - Part 2, explores how passionate leaders make decisions with a lasting impact on those they serve or the organizations they lead. I will share the insights and stories from my chat with DT .

Eager to hear your thoughts on passion, particularly, if / how it has influenced your leadership abilities. Have you inspired others and/or have you been inspired by a passionate leader? Please share your experiences.