Passion is contagious.

Research by Sigal G. Barsade at Yale University demonstrated that emotions truly are contagious within groups. Her experiments showed that when positive moods are expressed, they spread.

For foundations and philanthropists, this matters. In my experience, funding decisions aren’t made solely based on evidence and data. They’re shaped by the confidence of the people behind the work, the trust they inspire, the emotions they awaken, and the clear sense that they truly understand both the problem they’re tackling and the difference they want to make.

The people and organisations that stand out are not simply those with robust strategies and compelling metrics (important as those are). They are the ones whose leaders communicate conviction. They bring transparency, energy, insight and belief into the room. They bring their organisation's work to life.

When passion is grounded in evidence and experience, it signals something powerful. Competence. Commitment. And the likelihood of meaningful, sustained impact. This isn’t about performance or persuasion. It’s about alignment.

In practice, this looks like:

• Leading with purpose, not just performance. Data and evidence build confidence, but purpose builds connection.

• Communicating with intention. Tone, presence and clarity matter. Passion doesn’t need to be loud or emotive. It needs to be authentic and assured. Creating a partnership, not a pitch. The strongest relationships are built when people feel invited into a shared mission, not asked to “support” one.

• Building momentum through belief. Passion creates energy, energy creates engagement, and engagement drives better outcomes for everyone involved.

Impact can be measured. But the energy behind the work is often what determines whether relationships deepen or stall. Passion is a signal of seriousness, confidence and intent.

I’d love to hear what drives your decisions to support a cause and where you see the greatest potential for change right now.

#PassionWithPurpose #Philanthropy #GrantMaking #SocialImpact #PurposeDrivenLeadership #TrustAndImpact #LeadershipAndInfluence #PartnershipNotPitch #EvidenceAndBelief

Source: Sigal G. Barsade, “The Ripple Effect: Emotional Contagion and Its Influence on Group Behaviour,” Administrative Science Quarterly, Vol. 47, No. 4 (December 2002), pp. 644‑675.