Passion inculcates motivation, desire and loyalty. These are all hallmarks of every successful organization, traits that help every individual improve in their profession. The upside is there not just for the individual but the workplace as well. The organization has motivated, loyal and hungry employees who are eager to grow and perform to the best of their abilities, So how do we create corporate environments that inspire passion?
Shaping your corporate culture around passion can be a tricky task, you must find effective ways to motivate the masses, to get them to buy into your ideology and commit to the cause. It may sound like Brainwashing 101, but to a certain extent it is, make no mistake this is no Big Brother-like propaganda machine. But rather you are aiming to convince people that this is the right organization for them to grow and pursue their professions.
In order for one to be passionate, they must be committed in the long term, to yearn for progression and crave fulfilment. Passionate people are often slightly obsessive, they think of a multitude of possible ways that can help them improve. They are fascinated by their craft and are motivated by the thought of increasing their impact in their chosen domain.
Thus, organizations MUST create such an environment, one that is conducive for them to not only pursue their passions but one that provides them with the requisite structure. Perhaps, you may associate structure with rigidity, but not in this instance.
In this context, structure refers to building systems that allow experimentation that help the staff identify their domain to begin with. For them to be able to undergo the due process of job rotation or even working in various group dynamics, physical or virtual work spaces with the necessary management support.
Passion within interpersonal relations?
Workplace passion can also come about from creating meaningful connections between colleagues. Passionate workers are likely to form an alliance, to come together to create a symbiotic relationship. These people are likely to find each other, they stand out from the crowd, can see themselves in the other. "Real recognise Real" if you will.
It is also highly beneficial for organizations to have employees who enjoy healthy professional relations. Efficiency tends to soar when people have a mutual professional understanding, an affinity of how the other works and a reciprocate sense of respect.
Organizations must create an accepting culture where passion is honed and harnessed. One where employees feel empowered to find their best self and even to find a passion to begin with. There must be a top down message that active collaboration is key, that it solves problems more effectively and sets a useful precedent for the future.
Frame a powerful question
Introspection is crucial in developing passion, when people are forced to confront questions internally, they are likely to have epiphanies and come out of the other side much more coherently. Open-ended questions are best suited; " Is this the best solution possible?", "Are there any other alternatives" and "What more can you do to improve your idea?"
These are all questions that create a sense of purpose, one that encourages critical and creative thinking that are likely to bear the fruit of novel and innovative approaches.