Passion helps your organization maintain enthusiasm over time. If your employees are not passionate about what they are doing, they can quickly lose interest and become lackadaisical or leave. Instilling passion takes leadership.
Saying, “Hey everyone, let’s get passionate about what we do!” doesn't motivate anyone. Motivation comes from the inside. Make sure your team only does those things that you can get passionate about.
Start with yourself. Make sure you are passionate about your job, your product and your company. If you are not excited about it, your team will notice it and follow your behavior. This concept isn't about forcing passion; it's about discovering what makes you passionate.
If a team member is not passionate about their job, make a change that benefits everyone. Either find a role where they can ignite their energy within your organization, or help them find a more suitable role elsewhere.
Focus on mission over revenue. Make sure the mission is something you can rally around. I have seen too many companies set revenue goals and think it motivates others. Employees do not get excited about hitting a number so their bosses can hit their number. They need something concrete and meaningful, such as the mission set by John Kennedy to send a man to the moon by the end of the decade. A goal of having a larger market share than your biggest competitor can be understood by a team, if you give them the data. If you achieve it, the money will follow.
Passion fuels long-term success and resilience.If you and your team don’t love what you do, staying motivated through challenges becomes difficult.
Stay aware of the source of everyone’s passion, and your culture will enjoy working hard together.
Jonathan Jones (Jonathan.jones@vistagechair.com or 314-608-0783) is a CEO peer group chair/coach for Vistage International.