In business (and life), patience may be a virtue, but passion becomes a prerequisite. Being a small business owner is demanding work, especially for founders and growth-oriented leaders. You must believe in what you are doing to overcome the many obstacles that inevitably appear on your path along the way. Most people wouldn’t even attempt to build a business from scratch, let alone do what’s required to sustain it and take the company to the next level.
I’ve watched many entrepreneurs buckle under the weight of their responsibilities. I’ve witnessed countless instances of hand-wringing, second-guessing, and diminishing self-confidence. The leaders who keep going don’t do it because they want or need to, but because they feel they MUST do what’s required to make it work. As a colleague of mine is fond of saying, “If the ‘why’ is big enough, the ‘how’ doesn’t matter.” Failure isn’t an option because their passion for what they are doing supersedes all else. It’s a myth or misconception that all successful businesspeople are primarily motivated by money. Of course, some are, but a much larger percentage sees money as the outcome of doing worthy work well.
Passion can have many different catalysts. There is no universal trigger for passion. A select group of leaders may want to save the world or right a perceived wrong. Others wish to solve an intricate or complex problem. Many business owners want to fill an obvious unmet need or build a better “mousetrap.” Some entrepreneurs want to serve others exceptionally well. Many want to develop a work culture that they can be proud of. Some individuals want to be their own boss and not have to work for someone else. I’ve observed a passion for healthcare, education, security and safety, pest control, construction, food, alcohol, machines and equipment, technology, e-commerce, manufacturing, and various skilled trades, to name a few.
The one thing all passionate leaders have in common is an inner drive to excel because the result is always worth it. When clients lose this connection, I try to help them find it again, but often the best option is to find something else to do. You need to fully commit and not leave any room for doubt. In business, there is no such thing as being partially committed to your success. The “why” you are doing what you are doing should never be in question. Not all leaders have the capacity to lead indefinitely, and not all businesses should endure into future generations. Building and managing a business without passion is like putting a house on an unstable foundation. Ultimately, stress cracks will emerge, and the structure will become at risk to external forces it cannot withstand.
When I meet a leader for the first time, I typically ask them what they are passionate about in their business. How they answer the question is usually a useful guide as to where the conversation ends up going and how their business is doing.
Related Articles:
- Why Passionate Leadership Matters (theordinaryleader.com)
- Passion: The Fuel For Leadership (insightsuccess.com)
- Passion and Leadership (growingleaders.com)