Seven Disciplines of A Leader

10Discipline 6: Love and LeverageThere Is No Substitute for Passion about Work

If you enjoy your work, you will excel at it. And you, your company, employees, and stakeholders will benefit. Joy spreads.

Do What You Love, Love What You Do

If you love what you're doing, you'll never have to work a day in your life. I'm continually amazed at the number of leaders who don't like or enjoy what they're doing. When I speak at meetings, conventions, and conferences, I ask audiences: How many of you love your work? How many of you get excited about what you do?

Usually, a few hands go up. Everyone else sits very quietly and uncomfortably, looking with envy at those who have raised their hands.

I love what I'm doing. I can't think of anything else I'd rather do. I've coached, spoken to, consulted with, and trained people, teams, and organizations to increase their effectiveness. I'm up at 5:00 A.M. each day and in my office by 6:00 or 6:30, excited about starting my day. I'll often work until late in the evening, because I'm thoroughly enjoying what I do.

My wonderful and tolerant wife, Maria, understands my love and passion for work, but she often thinks I'm going to burn out. I've told her that my job doesn't qualify as work for me. I love the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of people every day, learn from them, communicate with them at various levels, and coach them to take their skills to a higher level. Going into an organization as a consultant and making it function better ...