6 Tips To Bring Passion Back To The Boardroom

Why is it that when you ask an entrepreneur what drives them they almost always say passion, but when you ask a manager or executive from a larger company they almost NEVER say passion? Somehow it’s more acceptable to be passionate when you’re small, than when you’re big. It’s almost as if entrepreneurs are children and allowed to show their emotions more than their ‘grown up’ big business counterparts. As companies grow passion leaches out of it’s leaders as they make room for ‘more important things’ like systems, processes and policies. Let’s study passion in depth, first why it’s important and then ways to cultivate it:

Why It’s Important.

1. Passion ignites potential.

Passion is what gives any great business idea, project or speech it’s life force. First it starts in the heart and then later it migrates to the head where it takes root. But we often forget it was born in the heart.

It’s the power of that emotional connection passion gives you, that enables you to give your dreams wings and lets them take flight. ~ Narges Nirumvala

2. Passion keeps you going long after reason has failed.

Passion is irrational and longs for it’s goal. It pulls at you to keep going through every obstacle and problem regardless of the pain.

Passion feeds your determination. Passion is the voice that says “Don’t give up” and gives you the strength to stand up and try again when you fall and you will fall. ~ Narges Nirumvala

3. Passion likes to be challenged and makes you stronger.

People who aren’t passionate about what they’re doing don’t like to be challenged, they shut down, give you the ‘how dare you challenge me’ look and say something like “That doesn’t apply to our company” or “You just don’t understand our organization”. Try this and see what I mean the next time you’re at work.

Passionate leaders don’t shut down, they like to be challenged and grow STRONGER in battle. ~ Narges Nirumvala

How To Grow It.

1. It’s NOT enough to ‘start with why’.

The other day I was watching a movie when it came to a scene when the female lead started crying. I mean she really cried. The camera didn’t pull away, no one said anything thing to her and there was no music welling up in the background. Just crying. It was an overwhelming feeling. I really felt her pain in that moment. The raw emotion of her unhappiness. Passion has that same depth. When was the last time a project made you so excited it sent your heart pounding and ideas racing through your head?

It’s not enough to ‘start with your why’ or think about your why, you have to FEEL YOUR WHY to really put the passion back in your leadership. ~ Narges Nirumvala

2. Learn how to communicate with passion.

Passion for a business idea or dream that just sits silently in your heart and is never expressed is a tragedy of epic proportions. You owe it to yourself to share your enthusiasm and energy with those around you. As a leader it’s also your responsibility to inspire them with your why and by doing so enable them to find their own (see point #3).

When you vocalize your dreams out loud or write it down you begin the process of their creation. The Universe then aligns and gives you the opportunity to your realize your vision. ~ Narges Nirumvala

3. Help others on your team find their own personal why.

Recently I was coaching a group of executives gearing up to speak at the same industry conference. I connected with each person individually and first started by asking them “Why”. “Why are you speaking at this event?”.  About half of them had a definite reason, the other half simply said “Because I was asked to”. Without an emotional connection to what you’re doing or what you’re saying you are just not as compelling as your potential will allow.

Leaders need to empower individuals and teams within their organization to find their own personal why. The deeper the reason and the stronger the emotional connection, the more engaged and effective they will be. ~ Narges Nirumvala

We need to bring passion back to our boardrooms and offices. To create policies and procedures that encourage it to grow. Let’s take business personally, be passionate about what we do and throw logic to the wind. The world is full of enough straight faces, stone hearts already and people who don’t give a damn already.