Do you remember the feeling you had as a child on the morning of your birthday? Or the night before Christmas? It was pure and innocent excitement about what was coming! Can you recall looking forward to the gifts, the attention, the special food, and the celebrations?

As we mature and become responsible for delivering that excitement, some of us become jaded and wearied by it all. Some of us focus on all the work to be done, instead of the joy of working together and sharing the moment. Some try to play small “let’s keep it simple, it will be easier”, while others try to do it all themselves “just leave me to it”.

The 1978 song You’ll Always Find me in the Kitchen at Parties wasn’t really about the fun of preparing a party, but there is a joy in sharing a vision and working together to achieve it.

Future Fit Leaders are ones who can bring excitement to work, who can inspire their team with a clear vision, and then make sure everyone knows what their contribution is to achieve that vision. That’s no small feat.

Here’s an easy test for you. How do you approach Mondays? Do you turn up at work excited about what the week will bring? Do you turn up at all? Do you talk excitedly with your team about what the week holds, or do you spend it complaining about last week?

Leaders, if you’re excited about where your company is going, it’s going to be easier to inspire your team. If you’re not excited, then perhaps you need to revisit your vision. Not everyday will feel like Christmas, but work can be fun.