Leaders start out doing the work they love.
But as they rise through the ranks and attain more responsibility, they get further away from the activities they were most passionate about. Writers become editors, salespeople become sales managers, surgeons become division chiefs, teachers become administrators, investment analysts become portfolio managers, and so forth.
The more distance a leader has between what they love to do and what they do now, the more they will question the big picture about whether the sacrifices they have made were worth it. That’s why good leaders continue to engage in the activities and passions of what originally excited them in the first place.
While their current role and responsibilities may prevent them from engaging frequently in those passions, they refuse to disconnect completely. They make the time to experience the work they love, even if they have to look for other venues and opportunities to do so.
What attracted you to the work and your organization in the first place? What activities and performances once brought you so much joy and satisfaction? Do you still engage in those activities, or have they long been discarded for the seemingly more important tasks you do now?
Consider reconnecting to those pursuits that once stimulated and excited you. This is a great way to re-energize your current commitments and role. Passion is energy. Give yourself the luxury of reconnecting to what you once enjoyed. Even if you take only a small taste now and again, it will remind you about the foundations of your success.
A Daily Dispatch from the Front Lines of Leadership.
