To think about passion and goals in the same sentence seems odd, maybe even absurd. After all, aren’t goals things other people in an organization set for us to accomplish what they want or need? Is there anything about goals that truly stirs passion? Powerful, unifying goals stir passion and inspiration.

When I think of such powerful unifying goals, I think of George Washington and his frozen troops crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776. This was considered one of the Revolutionary War’s most logistically challenging and dangerous clandestine operations. Yet, Washington planned and prepared his tired troops with a powerful, unifying goal that paved the way to the birth of a nation.

I also am reminded of a more recent powerful, unifying goal in my own lifetime. It happened May 25, 1961 (my fourth birthday), as President John F. Kenedy stood and shared with the nation and world, ““I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the earth.”

People born after that time cannot understand the magnification of that goal. The United States had only three weeks prior put its first man in orbit – and that flight only lasted 15 minutes. This was a huge undertaking, but it was a powerful, unifying goal.

Space engineers and others working on the space program would later share that they did not want to go home at night, and they were eager to get up early to arrive at the job. They had one common goal – a powerful, unifying goal. And they accomplished this – what many deemed, unbelievable, impossible goal, within the decade.

A powerful, unifying goal appeals to more than the mind alone. These goals appeal to the heart, universally to everyone involved. Powerful, unifying goals are not some big dream that a leader comes up with. They normally are derived as a team effort, after weeks or months of soul searching for the organization. In the church this of course includes much prayer.

Powerful, unifying goals must appeal to every person in the organization as a worthwhile quest. Not everyone will see the goal from the same perspective as the goal’s originators. Therefore, the goal should be designed and written inclusive of various perspectives of pursuit. Worthwhile pursuits need not appeal to higher order pursuit as “it’s for humanity”.

However, they should appeal to individual’s high-level performance. Regardless of a man or woman’s level in the organization or gifting, the goal should give each one the inspiration to contribute at his/her highest level of gifts of service.

Try designing Powerful, unifying goals (not leaders desires) and watch passion rise and your organization reach for the moon.

George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.