Does Having Passion for Your Work Even Matter?

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Passion is absolutely crucial for long term career success. I wonder in the age of corporate disloyalty, does passion for the company, team or customers matter most?

Chirag of CO 1:47AM February 07, 2010

Muser, I agree that passion isn't always welcomed the way one might hope. And while self-employment brings with it its own challenges, it's definitely a lot easier to show up in a way that uniquely fits who you are (primarily because you are creating the role yourself).
That said, while I don't have any direct experience in the educational world, I know that finding organizations (and bosses!) that appreciate that passion is possible. I have seen too many people find it (clients and otherwise) to believe a broad-brush assessment that people can't show up with passion as employees.
Steve, you're spot on about the wasting away bit. It's a recipe for staleness and stagnation. Figuring out the passion and letting the career follow out of that is definitely important. At the same time, I think it's important not to think that passion is the magic potion. It's just the fuel. You still have to build the vehicle, put your hands on the steering wheel, and hit the gas to make anything happen.

Curt Rosengren of WA 4:37PM February 05, 2010

If you don't have a passion for what you do, then you are slowly wasting away. Figure out your passion, the career will follow.

Steve Pollard of CA 3:49PM February 04, 2010

when you're working for YOURSELF (either for money or other personal satisfaction). Passion is less cool when you're working for an institution and your bosses do not share or appreciate your passion. (Most of them don't. Find me a school principal, for instance, who is more concerned with encouraging a star teacher than with "Gee, this person's performance is making my management look bad because most of the rest of the staff is not accomplishing nearly as much.")

Muser of NM 3:06PM February 04, 2010