At one of our recent Smart Business events, I met the CEO of a company that, in five years, had grown from start-up to around $20 million in annual revenue.
It was clear from our conversation that he was a savvy business leader who had found his niche and built a successful, fast-growing business around it. It was also clear he was very passionate — not just about his business, but about everything he discussed.
We spoke for maybe five minutes, and in that brief time, I became infected. A portion of the energy he gave off when discussing his company — how lucky he felt he was and how excited he was to be at our event — transferred to me. As a result, I walked away revved up and ready to tackle the world.
There is no correct way to be a business leader. Every consultant, management guru or otherworldly wise guy you ask will give you different advice. The truth is that some leaders have quiet strength, while others are outwardly more energetic.
And, just as true, every business leader who cares about his or her company has passion. If they didn’t, they would most likely flounder and fail.
Imagine what it’s like to be an employee at this CEO’s firm, or at any company where the CEO displays larger-than-life charisma and energy. Does he charge through the offices every day sharing his energy with everyone else? Is he capable of instantly turning around someone’s day through a quick turn of the word? And, on a larger scale, is there a direct correlation between a leader’s energy, business know-how and the company’s success?
Over the years, I’ve come to believe that energy alone won’t make or break a leader’s ability to command respect and successfully lead. Passion will never be a replacement for good old-fashioned business know-how and common sense.
But even so, it at least appears anecdotally true that the leaders who possess that uncanny charisma have the ability to quickly rally the troops to advance a cause or raise morale in a pinch. And in a burgeoning organization, infectious passion can become that X factor needed to carry a company and its employees more easily through the tough times.