Inspire Others by Sharing Authentic Passion
- Tom Iselin
- Mar 20, 2021
- 3 min read
Updated: Dec 11, 2025
This blog and video cover the concept of sharing their authentic passion with others through testimonials, speaking, and other "channels" to inspire people to get connected with your nonprofit and be authentically passionate themselves.
Inspire Others by Sharing Authentic Passion
Authentic passion is contagious. Once it takes root in the hearts and minds of your board members, staff, and volunteers, it naturally spreads. People feel compelled to share why they care, what moved them, and how your mission impacts lives. And when they share their passion, it inspires others to get involved and ignites a cycle of enthusiasm, belief, and action.
Authentic Passion Creates Momentum
When people internalize your mission, something powerful happens: They want to talk about it.They want to share stories. They want others to catch the same fire.
This is the “authentic passion flywheel.” As each person shares their experience, more people connect emotionally with your work—and that connection leads to involvement, support, and generosity.
Give Your People Opportunities to Share
If you want authentic passion to thrive, you must actively create opportunities for people to express it. Here are simple ways to do that:
Collect short testimonials from board members, staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries.
Record quick video clips on a phone—real, unscripted moments are highly effective.
Share stories publicly:
On your website
In newsletters
In annual reports
On social media
During events, retreats, trainings, or galas
Highlight personal stories at board and staff meetings.
Use passion-driven quotes in brochures and collateral.
The key is consistency. The more you tell stories about passion, impact, and transformation, the more your culture leans toward enthusiasm, commitment, and belief.
Authentic Passion Inspires Action
When supporters share their passion, it creates trust. It humanizes your mission. It motivates others to give, volunteer, join committees, join the board, or deepen their involvement.
Authentic passion is the fuel that drives your mission forward. The more you empower people to share it, the stronger and more committed your nonprofit becomes.
Closing Thoughts
If you want authentic passion to flourish, you must let people express it freely, frequently, and in visible ways. Give your community opportunities to tell the world why your mission matters.
Tune in next week when I wrap up this series on authentic passion with a full summary of what we’ve covered. Until then, remember: Do what’s right for your nonprofit—not what’s convenient or easy.
Takeaways
Authentic passion becomes contagious when people talk about it.
Create simple systems for capturing testimonials and short videos.
Share these stories across all communication channels.
Use authentic voices to inspire new supporters and deepen involvement.
The more passion people express, the more your mission grows.
Summary
Authentic passion spreads when people share their stories and experiences openly. By giving your board, staff, and volunteers platforms to express why your mission matters, you strengthen engagement, boost credibility, and attract more supporters. Passion shared = passion multiplied.
Tom Iselin
Rated One of America’s Best Board Retreat
and Strategic Planning Facilitators
About the Author
Tom Iselin is recognized as one of America’s leading authorities on high-performance nonprofits. He has built nine sector-leading nonprofits and two software companies, written six books, sits on multiple boards, and has been rated one of America’s Best Board Retreat and Strategic Planning Facilitators. His work on nonprofit strategy, board leadership, and culture has been featured on CNN, Nightline, and in Newsweek.
Tom is the president of First Things First, a firm specializing in board retreats, strategic planning services, fundraising strategy, and executive coaching for nonprofit CEOs.
Board Retreats & Strategic Planning
If you’re looking for a board retreat facilitator or strategic planning facilitator who has been in the trenches and understands real-world nonprofit challenges, Tom can help your board gain clarity, build alignment, and create an actionable plan that improves performance and impact. His sessions propel organizations to the next level of performance and impact . . . and they're fun!
Board Retreats and Strategic Planning Services:
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