5 Ways for Employers to Spark Workplace Passion

We’ve all seen this quote on Instagram, Facebook and everything in between… “Do what you love and never work a day in your life.”

But when it comes to work, it’s never really that straightforward though, is it?

We explore 5 simple ways to ignite that much talked about passion for work that could (hopefully) make waking up in the mornings that much easier for your talents.

1. Passion starts with you!

“If a leader doesn’t convey passion and intensity then there will be no passion and intensity within the organisation.” – Colin Powell

Like parents to their children, teachers to their students… you are a shining and living example of how your employees will perform.

If a leader isn’t engaging, passionate, and energetic, don’t expect employees to be! Start by being a leader and not a boss.

Laszlo Bock, Google’s former SVP of People Operations, once said, “Our best managers have teams that perform better, are retained better, are happier — they do everything better.”

2. Incentivise via team challenges

Speaking of Teams…

Manchester United of the late 90s… Barcelona of the 2010s… The 1994 Malaysia Cup Singapore Dream Team…

All of them great teams who worked together as a unit to achieve glorious victory; so why not adapt and use such a concept in the office?

A simple way to begin would be to introduce monthly challenges within teams to encourage healthy competition (but don’t forget the rewards).

According to a US Gallup Poll, employees in a well-connected team who they were friends with felt more trust, emotional loyalty to the company and better overall teamwork.

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3. Pet projects

Everyone loves to feel special; and nothing is more special than one’s very own pet projects.

Having an employee who’s expanding and embarking on topics that they are passionate about will not only see their interest in their job increase, but also a marked upturn in overall happiness and most importantly, help them avoid burning out.

In WHO’s latest diseases and injuries list, burnout is characterised by feelings of negativism and exhaustion related to one’s job.

4. Staff empowerment

“Hard work is like a prison sentence only if it does not have meaning.”

– Malcolm Gladwell

No matter what level/position an employee may be at, they’ll naturally take more pride in their work when given the responsibility of decision making. It changes from just another job to “something I am responsible for.”

The applied psychology journal along with many other studies have consistently proven that when employees feel empowered at work, it is usually accompanied by stronger job performance, better job satisfaction and commitment to the organisation.

5. Appreciation activities

Humans are creatures of emotion; we enjoy being loved, being cared for, being appreciated… and appreciation can manifest in many forms!

Choosing an ‘employee of the month’, buying snacks and treats for employees, hosting company events and even company bonding activities like Go-Karting at The Grandstand, an outing at Sentosa or even a Spa Day Out.

“One of the best company bonding activities I’ve ever had was going with my team to the haunted houses at the USS Halloween event!” Kimberly Anne Tan, 25, producer at So Drama! Entertainment, shared.

Appreciation could also mean allowing employees to take additional time off, simple words of praise when they do well and expressing their contributions on the company’s social media; all excellent and relatively simple ways to make your talents feel appreciated at work.

Note: this article was extracted from mycareerfuture.gov.sg.