Passion is an attribute that’s fastened to the tool belt of an extraordinary person. The drive, the interest, and stimulation are essential when building toward something great. When that interest and investment is to be directed toward work, success becomes inevitable. After all, truly extraordinary people are passionate about their work. It’s that zeal and enthusiasm that inspires and motivates colleagues to perform better, to move beyond what’s expected.
While some cynics roll their eyes at the commitment of extraordinary individuals, others will be marked by their nature and dedication. By constantly demonstrating passion through positive behavior, they attract others, pulling them into the belief of winning character and charm.
A friend of mine once shared a story about a camp counselor she had during his youth, an older man who met each person with an identical refrain each morning: “Good morning! It’s a great day to be alive!” Year after year, the man met grumpy demeanor with a smile, and his obvious passion was something to emulate, something to make any business a success.
Any company that exceeds when it comes to customer service obviously possess passion. Not only this, but these companies recognize that passion is imprinted onto customers after customer expectations are met. Also, a wise business will seek out customers who are unsatisfied. They’ll work to exceed expectations, turning the disgruntled into loyal fans. Fundamentally passionate businesses understand that minds can be changed through demonstrations of passion because customers tend to gravitate toward those who practice the art of passion.
“An Introduction to Passion” is the second post in a series published around the “Dare To Be Extraordinary” address, shared at the independently organized TED event, TEDx Adelphi University. The preceding piece is “An introduction to extraordinary.”
Christine M. Riordan, PhD, is the 10th president of Adelphi University in New York. Her writing focuses on diversity and inclusion, leadership effectiveness, and career success. Follow her on Twitter at @Chris_M_Riordan.