Finding Your Passion and Aligning it With Your Leadership Goals.

If someone had told me when I was younger that finding your passion is the key to leadership, I would have been skeptical. But not for any other reason than I thought about leadership differently back then. You can probably relate.

I used to think that once you become a leader, that’s all you had to be. Your passions, values, and beliefs are replaced with what I imagined was a leadership bubble. You had to think, believe, and be passionate about what the role told you to be.

I’m not sure if this is how other people viewed leadership, but when I became a leader, I realized it was wrong. Imagine my shock when I found out that your passions are more important than ever in turning you into a good leader. 

Leadership is like any other job. You need to have goals and motivations. Most importantly, you need to find your passion and align it with your goals.

It’s the only way to remain dedicated and enthusiastic about a role. So, if finding your passion was not something you thought you would do this year, you are about to go on an exciting journey. Leadership demands it, so get ready. 

Passion and Leadership: Being Passionate Helps You Serve

Imagine you’re on a journey, like a big adventure in a fantasy story. You’re the hero of your own tale, and you want to become a great leader.

Now, every hero has special skills and things they care about deeply—these are like their passions. And to complete their adventure successfully, they need to have clear goals—these are the big milestones or treasures they aim to find.

Finding your passion is discovering what makes you excited and happy. It’s the stuff that makes you lose track of time because you love doing it so much.

For some people, it’s helping others; for others, it’s creating art, solving puzzles, or maybe exploring new ideas. These passions are important because they give you energy and make you feel alive.

On the other hand, goals are the things you want to achieve. They are the destinations on your adventure map. Maybe your goals are to become a CEO, start your own company, or make a difference in your community. Goals give you direction and purpose.

Now, here’s where the magic happens: when you align your passions with your goals, you become a much stronger and more effective leader.

Why? Because doing what you love makes you happy and energized. This energy is contagious, and it can inspire and motivate others around you. Plus, when you’re passionate about something, you’re more likely to be persistent and creative in overcoming obstacles.

Let’s say your passion is helping people, and your goal is to become a CEO. When you align these, you’ll focus on ways to support and develop your team, making you a compassionate and inspiring leader. Your team will feel your genuine care and dedication, and they’ll be more likely to trust and follow you.

On the flip side, if your goals and passions don’t match, it’s trying to sail a ship without a rudder. You might make some progress, but you’ll probably feel frustrated and burned out because you’re not doing what you love.

So, think of this as your chance to do what you love while accomplishing something great. When goals and passion work together, you’ll enjoy your journey more and lead others with greater impact and joy. It’s all about finding that sweet spot where your heart’s desires fuel your path to success.

Tips for Finding Your Passion

Once, I was in an interview with someone I really admired. She asked me what my passion was beyond work, a career—what was at my core—she said. I drew a blank.

Every other interview I had been to never asked me a question outside my career. But in all fairness, I was much younger and not as exposed. I thought fast on my feet and said, ‘family.’ I’m not sure if the answer made sense then, but she seemed satisfied with it.

Since then, this question has come up more times, not just in interviews but also in casual conversations with friends and even people I just met. It’s because it says a lot about you as not just a career person but a human.

So, finding your passion will be a necessary part of your life. Don’t expect a huge moment of discovery. In fact, don’t focus on that—try the following instead: 

Reflect on Childhood Interests

Think back to your early years. What activities did you enjoy as a kid? These can offer insights into your true passions. Maybe you loved solving puzzles, building models, or exploring nature. These interests might still resonate with you today or have evolved.

Find Activities that Make You Lose Track of Time

Notice what tasks or hobbies absorb you so completely that hours fly by without you realizing it. It could be anything from strategic planning to writing, mentoring others, or even engaging in physical fitness. These activities often highlight your passions.

Explore New Experiences

Sometimes, finding your passion requires stepping out of your comfort zone. Try new hobbies, join professional groups, or attend seminars outside your usual scope. You might discover a new interest that excites you, whether it’s public speaking, innovative technologies, or philanthropy.

Notice Conversation Topics that Excite You

Pay attention to the subjects that you find yourself passionately discussing. Those topics that get your blood pumping and mouth running with the knowledge you were happy to look up. Whether it’s business strategies, technological advancements, or social issues, these topics can provide strong clues to your passions.

Reflect on Fulfillment Moments

Think about the times when you felt most fulfilled and proud in your career and personal life. What were you doing in those moments? Whether it was leading a successful project, mentoring a junior colleague, or engaging in community service, these experiences can help pinpoint your passions.

Seek Feedback from Trusted Colleagues and Friends

Sometimes, those around you can see your passions more clearly than you can. Ask trusted colleagues, mentors, and friends what activities they see you most engaged and enthusiastic about. Their insights can be incredibly valuable.

Consider Professional Development Activities

Participate in career development opportunities such as workshops, courses, or executive retreats. These settings often help you explore new interests and can spark a passion you hadn’t considered before.

Align with Your Core Values

Reflect on your core values and how they align with your daily activities. Finding your passion often involves aligning your work with what you truly believe in, whether innovation, integrity, or making a positive impact.

Remember: Finding your passion is a journey. It’s okay if you don’t figure it out immediately. Keep exploring, reflecting, and trying new things. Over time, you’ll uncover what truly excites and fulfills you.

6 Ways to Align Your Career Goals with Your Passion as a Leader

Find Your Core Strengths

Begin by understanding what you’re naturally good at. It’s easy to be passionate about something that comes naturally.

Finding your passion often involves recognizing and utilizing your core strengths. So, reflect on the skills and talents that have brought you the most success and satisfaction in your career.

Align your career goals with these strengths to make sure you’re not only effective but also passionate about your work. For example, if you’re a great communicator, go for roles that require public speaking or mentoring.

Set Goals that Reflect Your Passion

Once you’ve nailed down your passion, set specific career goals that reflect it. Finding your passion can lead to setting more meaningful and inspiring objectives.

If you’re passionate about innovation, try to lead projects that focus on new technologies or product development. If your passions lie in helping others, then transform yourself into a leader focused on helping employees be better and reach their goals. 

Aligning your goals with your passion ensures that your work is not only strategic but also deeply satisfying.

Seek Out Opportunities for Growth

Sometimes, your passions and career goals do not exactly line up with the job you are working. Tragic but not a reason to quit yet. You need to explore every possibility before you skip town. So, look for opportunities within your current role or organization that allow you to explore and develop your passions.

Now, you are going to have to think outside the box here and even leave your comfort zone. What does it look like? Volunteering for new projects, taking on different responsibilities, or even moving to a different department.

Finding your passion and seeking out these growth opportunities will keep your career dynamic and exciting. You will look forward to Mondays again and finally feel like you are giving yourself a chance to do something you love. 

Incorporate Passion Projects into Your Work

If that does not work, then there’s something else you can try. If your current role doesn’t fully align with your passions, find ways to merge passion projects into your work. This could be your chance to finally start a new initiative.

You should also consider leading a volunteer group, or advocating for changes that reflect your values and interests. In short, find any new way to do what you love while working. Finding your passion and incorporating it into your daily tasks can lead to greater job satisfaction and effectiveness.

Build a Network that Supports Your Passion

There is a very common saying around here that if you want to be rich, you need to hang out with rich people. It’s a great concept I will soon explore when I figure out how to make rich people like me.

But the point is that if you want to maintain a certain status or standard, you need to be around people who support you. Exercise and dieting are a lot easier when your spouse or friend does them with you. The same goes for pursuing your passion.

So, surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share or support your passions. A supportive network makes finding your passion easier. Additionally, it helps you remain on track with your goals.

Attend industry events, join professional groups, and seek out mentors who are passionate about the same things. The network can provide guidance, inspiration, and opportunities that align with your career goals.

Regularly Reassess and Adjust

Do you remember that answer I gave about family being my passion? Well, the next time I had to answer that question, it had changed. And it even changed again. I bet in a few years, my passion will have changed.

This is not to say that these things mean less to me. It’s just that growth affected my answer. Things are supposed to change as you age, grow, switch jobs or careers, change your family status, etc. 

So, if you realize that your passions and goals have changed over time, do not panic. Your passions and career goals should evolve over time, so it’s important to reassess and adjust regularly.

Finding your passion is a continuous journey. Set aside time to reflect on what excites and fulfills you at a time. Then, adjust your career path accordingly. Remaining flexible means that your work always remains aligned with your passions and keeps you motivated as a leader.

In Short, Take Some Time to Find Your Passion

If you are still not convinced, consider finding your passion for the sake of growth. At some point in your life, you’ll ask yourself what really matters to you or what you were born for. It helps to have even an idea of an answer.

Exploring your passion has the potential to help you grow, discover new things about yourself, and renew your appreciation for the daily grind. So, take some time every other day to find your passion. You’ll never regret doing it.