Passion PointsFoundations of

Entrepreneurial Leadership

Presentation created by: Dr. Susan G. DuffyCo-founder of the GWSB WEL program,

Assistant Professor of Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership at Simmons College

Passion….

• Source of energy

• Driver of behavior

• Stimulator of emotions

• Basis for entrepreneurial venture?

Passion InventoryResource: Gail Cassidy, Discover your passion: An intuitive search to find your purpose in life.

Think about the following • What do I do really well?

– What do your friends & family say you are good at?

– What kinds of activities feel effortless?– When do you feel a natural “wind at your back”

• Name three jobs that you look at and say: “I would love to do that.”

• What leisure activities would you put into the “too bad I can’t get paid to do this” category.

Passion Exploration

Take a few moments to write down answers to the following questions:

• What “triggers” you? – List five issues or activities that stimulate a

deep positive or negative reaction. Consider-• People, places, things; • Political and social causes;• Hobbies; lifestyle and personal preferences; • Other.

– Select 3 of the most “charged” triggers from the list.

Personal Passion

• Why do these topics charge you up?– Consider your personal values, beliefs,

interests.– How do these topics support or violate

what is important to you?• What positive or negative reactions

do they stimulate in you? – Thoughts triggered– Emotions fired up– Behaviors stimulated

Putting Passion to Work

Choose one of the following

• Positive Passion Issue: – List three ways you could create more of

this good thing.– What products or services do you need?

• Negative Passion Issue: – List three ways you could counteract the

negative nature of this issue.– What products or services do you need?

Creating Value through Passion

Examine everything you wrote.

• Describe a new venture that addresses your positive or negative charge issue.

• Who else might be interested in this venture?

• Discuss your new venture ideas with others. Listen to their responses. Probe them for positive and negative reactions.

Creating Value through Passion

• What is the “business model” for this idea?

• What resources would you need to start?

• How would you distribute your ____?• Who is your competition?• What makes your _______

different/better?