Why do people do it?

Earlier this week I was getting some time with my girlfriends and they asked me where I was traveling to this week for work. I explained that I got to be fairly local and was attending the Hoosier Educational Computer Coordinators (HECC) conference in Indianapolis. I presented all day on Thursday to digital leaders on how to lead successful and sustainable change. I mentioned that I wasn’t getting paid for this gig. One friend responded with surprise. I explained to her that most presenters at educational conferences don’t get paid for their sessions. She said, “Why do people do it?” My reply was easy, “Because we care about what we are sharing with other professionals in the field.”

Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being paid for my work. 🙂 And there are conferences that invite me to speak that do pay me. But this is one that I have presented at for several years and will continue to do so if they continue to ask. The reason is simple, I’m passionate about education. More specifically, I’m passionate about strong leadership practices in education and this is a platform to share that passion. Additionally, I get the pleasure of learning alongside those leaders who attend the session, while equipping them with tools and strategies to make their jobs easier and more enjoyable. It’s a win-win in my book.

When we focus more on the paycheck than the purpose, we lose the why behind what we do. John Maxwell once said, “A great leader’s courage to fulfill his vision comes from passion, not position.”