The Power of Passion and Its Role in Leadership
By: Kiersten Griesback
This past weekend I participated in a production of The Vagina Monologues, a play written by Eve Ensler. For those of you that are not familiar with The Vagina Monologues (TVM), it is a collection of stories and monologues written by Ensler after she interviewed hundreds of women about their many experiences. These monologues are very diverse. They include stories about sex workers, the transition from male to female, rape, and even comical anecdotes about discovering the power of femininity. The production was run by For the Women, a feminist club on campus that I am a member of, as part of our mission to bring women’s issues out into the public in order to conquer them more effectively. While I know that our small-scale production is not going to change the world, it’s still an extremely empowering act to be a part of. This is the second year that I have participated in the show, and my experiences in preparing and performing these monologues have taught me a lot not only about leadership, but about staying passionate about the issues closest to your heart.
Many times, leaders can get so involved with delegating responsibilities and making sure all their duties are accomplished that they begin to lose focus of their purpose. They lose sight of what sparked the flame and pushed them into their role. No matter what type of role they’re in, every good leader is passionate about their values, their mission, and their vision. While leadership has many components, it is important that this passion continues to be the underlying reason for a leader to do what they do. Whether you’re trying to save the world or teach a classroom full of children, passion is key. It is what drives us and motivates us to accomplish our goals.
Obviously for me, feminism and women’s rights are issues that I am passionate about. I participate in TVM not only because I believe it is a powerful piece of activism and a source of empowerment for all people, but because it continually renews my passion in these areas. The inspiring stories that are shared and the relationships that we build together as a cast remind me of what I’m fighting for and why it’s so important to me. This fight is why I am taking a leadership role in For the Women next year as the coordinator of TVM. While it’s a big undertaking, I’m not scared of the challenge because this show is something that I believe in and support wholeheartedly. I am hoping to inspire members of the cast and the audience in the same way that I have been inspired by this production. I want people to feel empowered, and I hope to spark a passion for these issues in the hearts of those involved.
In the words of Simon Sinek, I have found my “why.” I have found the underlying reason for my decisions and actions. I have found what empowers me, and I use that power to accomplish my goals and strive to make a difference. While this “why” is something that I feel in my heart rather than my head, it is what will help me to lead others on the path to make a change. By winning over other people’s hearts, I can create a sense of unity and a sense of loyalty to our collective mission. This foundation is absolutely essential if we are to be successful in accomplishing our goals and conveying to others the importance of what we are doing and why they should believe and trust in us.
Source:
Sinek, Simon. Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action. Portfolio/Penguin, 2011.
