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While on some business trips over the past few weeks I had the pleasure of meeting a bunch of people who are clearly very passionate about their jobs. You know the types — the folks that ooze positive energy and just flat-out love what they do.
At the Milwaukee Tool New Product Symposium, I had lunch with a product manager who during the last year traveled to 45 states to observe how electrical contractors and other professional tradespeople work on jobsites so he could figure out ways that Milwaukee Tool could design new products that would make their lives on the jobsite better. He sure sounded like he loved every minute of it. And while visiting with Marty Burbridge and other members of Crescent Electric Supply’s executive team for this month’s cover story, (“Orchestrating Change,” page 18), their passion for the business was obvious.
Why is it that this type of passion for work isn’t more common, and why can it be so difficult to create a corporate culture that feeds it? All too often companies are instead inhabited by workplace creatures who sap the lifeblood out of a firm. It can be tough to find employees who enjoy their careers with what the French call a “joie de vivre,” and which Wikipedia translates as “a cheerful enjoyment of life.” Whatever you want to call it, when you see it in the workplace it’s a joy to behold. Let’s take a look at some common types of less-than-passionate employees.
Negative Nelly. You know her. The company could give every employee a round-trip to the Caribbean and she’s the one who would find fault with the type of sand on the resort’s beach.
Mr. Not-My-Job. This is the guy who only operates within the parameters of his job description, or within what he considers to be an adequate day’s work. Need someone to volunteer for a weekend inventory count? He’s not your guy.
Peter Punch the Clock. Don’t get in his way at 4:59 p.m. You’ll get run over as he races out the door.
Comfortably Numb Clarita. Clarita is not a bad worker or a good worker. But she’s a workplace mummy who’s indifferent about her job and does the minimum to get by.
Eddie the Expert. This guy believes he has all the answers about running the company. He thinks management is bunch of idiots, and loves to offer his negative opinions about your company to anyone who will listen.
Fortunately, not all employees project the negative aura of the folks described here. Here’s a profile of the types of workers who can help make a company great.
The young guns. These high-energy guys and gals are happy to be working for your company and are eager to please and to learn. They’re highly motivated and have big plans, so they need to be constantly challenged in their jobs.
The mentors. These employees appreciate the career opportunities your company has provided them and are glad to offer a helping hand to younger employees just starting out. Someone probably did the same for them when they were just starting out and they want to return the favor.
The cruise director. These employees are glad to organize activities such as holiday parties, bowling or softball teams or baby showers. Your company will survive without these activities, but the positive buzz they generate makes it a more enjoyable place to work.
The keeper of the flame. This person is part mentor and part historian, but is mostly someone who believes in your company’s culture and how you do business.
If you have any of these folks working at your company, try to figure out a way to bottle their passion for work and to get some of your less-motivated employees to try a few drops.