Fire in the eyes

Actually this post is written on 15th September but was just completed today as the finishing touches was delayed. So here it is, my thoughts on 15th September!

One good day after another, today is another day of discovery as I went for a networking session and met the founder of NYDC and 77th Street. During the session, the director of NYDC, Sam, mentioned one key point that becomes the blog topic for today
- The Fire in the Eyes

Many great leaders have emerged in the history of man kind. Figures like George Washington, Mohd Gandhi and Franklin Roosevelt are great leaders that we will not forget. Looking at our own country, we have Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our senior minister and the great leader that rally Singaporean fighting spirit to make Singapore a thriving nation. All these leaders have charisma that convinces people of their philosophy and could influence thousands and even millions of people to believe in their cause. What is it in them that give them such charisma and influence? Is it the wonderful speech that they made? Or are they extraordinarily suave and handsome? Or is it their demeanor that allows them to capture the trust of the people? All these could be a factor but to me, it is the passion and conviction that they held that was exemplified through the eyes with strong determination and vision.

The eye is the window to the soul. The eyes that demonstrate such unwavering conviction as they gave their speech, the fiery passion that shows no doubt about the future they could bring and the piercing look that will kill all challenges. All in all, the fiery eyes that don’t lack passion but are charged with determination and a strong will to fight the challenges posed by life.

What has all these got to do with business? Sam mentioned that venture capitalist (VC) will only invest in a business project if they see the following things
1- High returns
2- Good business plan
3- All else being equal, which person has the fire in the eye

In order to obtain the trust of these VCs, the person pitching for his business idea must have the strong conviction in what they are going to do. All these can be shown through the look in their eyes that reveal the amount of passion that each individual hold. The passion in turn translate into a will to make sure that the business plan, that have been decided and planned for, will be completed.

Apart from VCs, the fire in the eye is crucial in business as anyone without the fire in the eye will not be able to prosper in business. A big and successful business model does not exist with just the power of a single person. It is a team work fostered by many capable individuals that will strengthen the foundation of a business model and gradually pushes the business to higher ground. However the business is not possible if there isn’t a person that has the charisma that could win the trust of these capable people and gather them to work under a common cause. The fire in the eye, that carries conviction, could win the trust of the people. It will gradually build the business as the person with such passion will start winning more business partners, associates and clients that will further his cause to build a business empire.

All in all, fire in the eye is a passion from the heart. A deep passion will be able to led you to the deepest valley and climb the highest mountain with sheer determination, fortitude and not forgetting the fire in the eye.

A burning passion melts all failures!