How many of you love what you do? Well if research is correct, only 15% or less do. American Business Management expert Gary Hamel states in his book The Future of Management “85% of workers worldwide are disengaged from their work.” Additionally, Dan Pink in his book Drive states “the cost of U.S. worker disengagement costs companies $2-3 Billion annually.”
Now you might be saying why is this so? How do we fix this?
Well, a solution lies in a person discovering their passions. These are gifts given to people and yes, each of us have them. They can be identified by completing four exercises and answering four questions. The questions are:
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- Would you do it for FREE?
- Would you do it when you are sick or tired?
- Do you want to share it?
- Will it help not hurt or hinder others?
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If a person can answer yes to all four questions, then they have a passion. You can have passions for careers, relationships, health, education, and environment. Still, most people don’t identify their passions. The challenge lies in people suppressing these gifts due to redirection or choice. A question may arise that asks: why do people not choose to pursue their passions? An answer can lie in the thought that there isn’t an outlet for them.
Work can be an outlet and if people are allowed to apply their passions to their work, they are more in control of their work. If people have more autonomy over their work, they are motivated to master the skills necessary to be proficient.
Just think, all of the counseling over absenteeism, poor work performance, bad attitudes, etc. can be mitigated by allowing people to apply their passions at work.
It costs nothing to pursue this initiative and the potential ROI is enormous.
John Haran has an extensive educational background which includes university degrees, a teaching license, and certificates in leadership. He continuously reads material on personal development and leadership. Additionally, John has served 20 years within all services of the U.S. Military and he has had nine different careers. Married with two children, John is currently working as a Safety Trainer in a Facilities Management Department at a large Southern California university. He's a Toastmasters International Competent Communicator (2010).
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