It’s the heart of the holiday season, and everywhere I go beautiful carols fill the air with Christmas spirit and bring me joy. I’m struck by the diversity of the songs themselves and how differently they’re performed. Some are sweet and reverent, like “Silent Night.” Others are praiseful, like “Joy to the World.” Still others are lively contemporary tunes by pop artists. They’re all good in their own way.
But you may be surprised to learn my favorites are traditional Christmas songs covered by the immensely talented heavy metal artist Dan Vasc. Yup, heavy metal. When I told this to my nephews, they exclaimed, “no way!” But it’s not the kind of heavy metal you may be imagining; it’s Dan Vasc heavy metal. The man performs each song with electrifying passion and power. Like an athlete who gives his or her best and leaves it all on the playing field during a competition, Dan Vasc “leaves it all in the recording studio.” He puts his whole self—voice, body, and soul, into his songs. To see what I mean, check out this link to “Angels We Have Heard on High,” which he belts out in a different language for each of the four verses. I think you’ll be moved. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KO94qx63cOA
As I mature, I become more grateful, more appreciative, more passionate. Listening to and watching Dan Vasc perform moves me deep inside and inspires me to strive anew to become the best I can be. I never want to allow myself to be content with mediocrity. I want to dig deeper to find the passion and power to deliver my very best effort. To give more than is expected. To exceed, not just meet, the standard. To feel pride in a job well done. As we approach a new year and a new beginning, I encourage you to seek inspiration to renew your focus on finding the passion and power necessary to become the best person and leader you can be. Don’t ever settle for anything less.
Dan Vasc also models the way to help us find the passion and power to overcome challenges we face. I listened to a video Dan posted answering fan questions, one of which was how to cope with hard times. Dan suggested looking at coping through a different lens where we have the power to control our fate. He advises, “Don’t cope; make stuff cope with you. Be a creator of your surroundings, not a creature of your surroundings.” In answer to a question on what he does when he feels stuck Dan replied, “When you’re going through Hell, don’t stop – keep pushing through. Otherwise you’ll be stuck in Hell.”
Those are such wise words to live and thrive by! They’re words that call for taking responsibility for our own outcomes, not blaming something or someone else for the predicament we’re in. Looking back on the hard times I’ve experienced, I’m proud I kept pushing through and didn’t quit or place blame. But Dan Vasc reminds us that just pushing through isn’t enough. To find satisfaction and pride in who we are and what we’ve done, I believe we need to apply passion and power to be at our best. We owe that much to ourselves and to those we lead.
Look in the mirror: In 2025, how can you mobilize the forces of passion and power to motivate yourself and others to achieve top performance and thereby generate pride in your organization?
Please join me again next week for more on Leading with Character.
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