8 Principles of Passionate Leadership (Part 2)

Last Friday, I presented a message on “8 Principles of Passionate Leadership” to a Texas-wide Health Care Conference. Today I share the next three principles with you in Part 2.

4. Passionate Leaders place others before themselves. People often asked me about my most memorable interview as a sportscaster. The one that always comes to mind was with Pittsburgh Steelers all-pro Mike Webster. Webster and his Steelers had won four Super Bowls during the Black and Gold’s glory years, but I spoke with Webster when he was playing out his last NFL year in Kansas City. I asked then Chief’s coach, Marty Schottenheimer, to share a story about the standout NFL center. The one he chose concerned this player’s humility. On the first day of practice, Coach Schottenheimer asked some of the rookies to gather up the equipment from across the field, but before the new players could run over, the veteran, Mike Webster, had already picked up all the equipment and was on his way back. It was a beautiful demonstration of servant leadership and placing others before himself. Webster died a tragic death in 2002 from CTE, a brain disorder caused by getting hit too many times on the line. The movie “Concussion,” was based on his life. However, what I will remember about Webster was his humility and servant leadership.

5. Passionate Leaders Have a Manageable Schedule. Have you ever worked with someone who is so busy outside of work that they are worn out all of the time? I recently heard a powerful message by movie producer, Phil Cooke, who said “Influencers say ‘no’ 90 percent of the time.” It’s a word that I need to place in my vocabulary. If we dilute ourselves too much, we will not be effective in anything we take on and will be worn out as a leader. Jesus understood this concept. He said in John 5:19, “Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does.” Jesus only did what his Father, God, told him to do. We should pray and do the same. If we move forward without God’s blessing, we are only going to wear ourselves out. No one wants to follow someone with low energy, especially the young millennials.

6. Passionate Leaders are Good Communicators and Accept Feedback. I used to have a boss who was a man of few words. At times that was intimidating because I never knew what he was thinking. I believe employees and ministry teams appreciate a leader who clearly states objectives and is an open communicator. Conversely, passionate leaders should also be available for feedback. The most effective leaders know they don’t have all the answers. I recently watched the television show, “The Profit,” and host and multi-millionaire, Marcus Lemonis admitted he is not good at everything but hires quality people who can do the jobs he can’t. Passionate leaders should tap into the curiosity and imagination of those around them. Take it from an above average intelligence gentleman, Albert Einstein who said, “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

Part three of “8 Principles of Passionate Leadership is Saturday.”