Inspiring Passion and Engineering Success Through Leadership
Great leaders inspire passion, engineer success, and rally teams to achieve shared goals. Learn actionable strategies to lead with purpose and impact.
This article was originally published in 2013, and has been republished in 2025.
Being a leader requires many, many, skills. From managerial skills, to people skills, leaders need to be able to juggle a multitude of tasks. But one job trumps all the others.
Leaders need to inspire passion.
Leadership is a multifaceted role that demands a wide range of skills—from managing logistics to building relationships, and everything in between. But at its core, one responsibility rises above all others: the ability to inspire passion. Passion is the fuel that drives individuals and teams to achieve extraordinary results, and as leaders, it’s our job to ignite that fire.
A Milestone Worth Celebrating
Recently, at my Civil Air Patrol Squadron, Squadron 102, we hit an incredible milestone—33 listed members, with 20 actively engaged. This is no small feat! Managing a squadron involves more than just overseeing operations; it’s about balancing logistics, maintaining resources like our one-ton van, coordinating the procurement of additional personnel and equipment (including a plane!), and most importantly, leading a group of 20+ people with diverse needs and motivations.
Reflecting on this achievement, I’ve come to an important realization: I can’t do it all myself. No leader can. The real question is this:
How do you inspire others to willingly dedicate their time and energy to a cause that may involve bureaucracy or limited tangible rewards?
Engineering Success: A Strategic Approach
Over the past few weeks, I’ve been exploring the concept of “engineering success.” Contrary to popular belief, success isn’t some elusive phenomenon reserved for the lucky few—it’s something we can design. Success is calculated, planned, and executed with intention. While definitions of success vary (not everyone is aiming for a $100 million exit), one common thread emerges:
success is built on the foundation of a passionate, emotionally invested team working toward a shared goal.
At its heart, engineering success begins with inspiring passion. When people care deeply about what they’re doing, they’ll go above and beyond. Think about your hobbies—how many hours have you spent pursuing them simply because they bring you joy? For me, Civil Air Patrol (CAP) embodies my passion for teaching and mentoring others. It energizes me and gives me purpose.
When leaders channel their own passion into their teams, something extraordinary happens. Passion becomes contagious. The energy from one individual multiplies across the group, transforming what seemed impossible into achievable reality.
The Power of SMART Goals
Once you’ve inspired passion within your team, the next step is creating a roadmap for success. Passion without direction can fizzle out; that’s why setting clear goals is essential. One framework I’ve found particularly effective is the concept of S.M.A.R.T. goals, which stands for:
Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve.
Measurable: Establish criteria to track progress.
Attainable: Ensure the goal is realistic given available resources.
Relevant: Align the goal with broader team or organizational objectives.
Time-bound: Set a deadline to maintain focus and urgency.
At Squadron 102, I’ve implemented a new initiative where every member—seniors and cadets alike—creates a public list of SMART goals. These goals encompass both personal aspirations and squadron-related objectives. By tying individual growth to team success, we’re fostering accountability and motivation while strengthening our collective bond.
For example, one cadet might set a goal to complete leadership training within six months while also improving their public speaking skills. Another senior member might aim to recruit three new volunteers while working on their own fitness regimen. These interconnected goals not only drive personal achievement but also contribute to the squadron’s overall progress.
Real-World Impact
This approach has already begun transforming our squadron culture. Members are more engaged because they see how their personal successes align with our shared mission. They feel supported in pursuing their individual passions while contributing to something greater than themselves.
One senior member recently shared how this initiative helped them overcome procrastination by breaking down their goals into manageable steps. Another cadet mentioned how seeing their peers’ progress motivated them to push harder toward earning their next rank.
As we continue refining this process, I’m confident we’ll see even greater results—not just in terms of operational efficiency but also in fostering a deeper sense of community and purpose among our members.
Leadership Is About Inspiration
Ultimately, leadership boils down to this: the power to inspire others to follow. Vince Lombardi captured it perfectly when he said,
“Leadership is based on a spiritual quality; the power to inspire others to follow.”
For me, leadership isn’t just about achieving objectives—it’s about transferring my passion to others so they can explore new possibilities, create meaningful change, or simply do something good in the world. If I can light that spark in even one person, I’ve fulfilled my role as a leader.
So ask yourself: How are you inspiring passion within your team? How are you engineering success in your organization? And most importantly—how are you leading with purpose?