Recently, at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, political figures, business leaders, and executives from around the world still had high hopes that the new American leadership could change the world in 2009. Wow! Nothing like carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. But we must ask ourselves why, and how, in just two years, a young senator from Illinois can go from working in local and state politics to engaging world leaders in believing in the hopes, dreams and vitality they can exist again. not only in the United States, but in the world. It’s about enthusiasm and passion.

Whether or not he supports the new administration, one thing is clear: President Obama invokes enthusiasm and passion in everything he does, from tackling the troubled economy and recession and foreign affairs to selecting the right school for his daughters and even find the best dog to be part of the White House family. Despite some difficult decisions, the president’s approval rating remains extremely high. Many on the right have even said that while they don’t necessarily support President Obama’s policies, they hope he will succeed. The bottom line is that any great leader, whether the leader of a local community, a small business, a Fortune 500 company, or the leader of the United States, must be passionate about hope for the future. The glass should always be half full.

When was the last time you woke up at 4 in the morning because you couldn’t wait to get to work? Comparing this level of enthusiasm to our younger school days, you may remember how easy it was to get up early on a Saturday when you knew you were going to the zoo, a family vacation, or playing with friends all day. . But when Monday morning came, you groaned, hit the snooze button, and pulled the covers over your head to hide from the world for a few more minutes. If you’re a leader, every day should feel like a Saturday, and your customers, vendors, and employees should “feel” this about you.

Let’s take a look at how you can harness your enthusiasm and passion to become a great leader:

– Identify your passion. Hopefully it’s what you do every day, both personally and professionally. And while it could be argued that you can’t be passionate about everything all the time, great leaders are. The difference is that great leaders choose what they get involved in and are passionate about their involvement. However, they don’t get involved in everything that happens on their desk. They consciously select the ideas, projects and causes that are important to them and that will positively advance their dreams and goals.
– Lead with passion and others will follow. What is it that makes you want to work even when you are exhausted and feeling drained? Whatever it is, let it show off to your customers, vendors, and employees. Anything you love to do should be at your core: what else will get you out of bed on a Monday morning after working 60 hours the week before? If your followers understand what’s important to you and can see the dedication and efforts you put in, they’ll want to follow wherever you lead.
– Find teammates with the same passion as you. Whether it’s a potential customer, vendor, or employee, having like-minded people on your team will only increase the level of enthusiasm. If everyone shares the same core values, they will feed off each other to move the project or business idea forward. So build your team wisely. Talk to prospects about what you’re passionate about and ask them what gets them out of bed every morning.
– Spend time with your people. There is nothing worse than a CEO who sits in meetings all day behind closed doors and is invisible to his team, regardless of how those people fit into the bigger picture. As a leader, he must be accessible to everyone. Hear what your customers have to say or what your employees think about the next product launch or service installation. If they know that you really care what they think and that they are part of the bigger picture, you can create powerful change.
– Articulate your passions and core beliefs frequently. The more you speak from the heart about what is at your core and how it relates to the task at hand, the more optimism and enthusiasm you will inject into your team. In a way, you become a self-seller of your visions and ideas, but the root of that must be truth and reality. When combined, you have the formula to become a great leader.

During a recession, it’s easy to see gray skies. Looking for the bright side can be difficult. But his followers will look to him to set the tone and be an example of hope for what lies ahead. Purpose and passion are critical to sustaining and even building businesses during tough economic times. By being committed, passionate, and enthusiastic about what you do, you will fuel the fire for those who choose to follow you in times of success.