What’s more important to increasing the efficiency of your operation: A passion for pursuit of excellence or high levels of worker engagement?
The concept that engaged workers contribute more to the bottom line has had a long, successful run in the spotlight. Yet research has shown that activities that engage employees are not necessarily what fuels gains in productivity. In fact, encouraging workers to bring passion to their vocation is the true game changer, because it stirs the pot in a whole new fashion. Here are three great ways to develop employee passion in your workplace:
- Encourage employees to work cross-functionally.
- Ask employees which projects or area of the company they are most interested in, even if it’s totally different than what they are doing now. Provide opportunities for employees to move into positions better suited to them.
- Provide opportunities for employees to connect with others both in the firm and in their industry.
Many employers believe that fostering employee passion in an existing workforce is difficult. But research shows that it’s not as difficult as you may think. Research also shows that older workers are just as likely to be passionate as younger workers. Size of a company doesn’t matter, either. And passion can be found at any level of a company’s structure, including the front line!