Keeping people passionate about what they do is the single biggest challenge in business.
Passionate people breathe life into a company. They take it to new levels. But how do you make people passionate?
We're in business
Inspiring staff is a difficult task. Contrary to the many hundreds of articles on the subject, business does not naturally lend itself to inspiration.
Most products and services being offered by companies are not going to save lives or feed the starving. They are not involved in progressing mankind.
A lot of people work from offices, and most offices look the same. The great inspirational speeches - from Shakespeare's Henry V soliloquy at Agincourt to Winston Churchill's battle cry - are rarely heard in the photocopying business. We talk about having a vision but surely the only people who qualify are the likes of Einstein, Van Gogh and Joan of Arc. Let's put this in perspective: we're in business.
Yet life's achievements do not have to change the world in order to be great. Getting the simplest things right can be all the inspiration you need.
The key is happiness.
You can be passionate about selling photocopiers because you can be happy selling photocopiers. The reason is simple: it's not what you do that counts - it's how you do it.
What else explains why some rock and movie stars (who seem to have it all) seem so unhappy? This is also why there are some very happy people selling or repairing photocopiers.
The resentment within
Employing happy people is the key to employing passionate people, and it's of paramount importance that they stay happy. This should always be at the forefront of the business; it should probably come first.
Some people, for reasons beyond your control, will never be happy. If the key to success in business (and in life) is to surround yourself with positive people, then you must be prepared to root out negative types. People are like buttons on an elevator: some will take you up and others will take you down.
When you're building your business - big or small - you'd be amazed at the negativity you'll encounter. I'm not talking about your competitors - they'll probably have respect for you.
No, the biggest resentment may come from within.
Unless all your staff are aligned to the cause and feel that the success of the business is tied to their own personal success, you run the risk of carrying negative attitudes that could end up hindering the company. Unless your staff are positive about the business, it will fail, dragged down by the very people who should be driving it forward.
We live in a cynical world where it's much easier to trash an ambition than back one.
As a business owner, CEO, football coach, movie producer, team captain, restaurant manager or head teacher you ask people to follow you. Sure, as a business owner, you're paying them to follow you, but you're also asking them to intellectually and emotionally back the aims of the organisation.
It's a big ask, but the best companies, football teams, film sets and schools have groups of people that make an intellectual and emotional commitment. That's when something special happens. It's rare, but it's what all leaders, in all fields, should be aiming for.
Some people are unable to properly commit to anything, let alone your sandwich shop or engineering company. Avoid these people at all costs.
It's not that they are bad or immoral; they're just not right for you and what you want to do. Their place is elsewhere. They are destined to commit themselves to another company, idea or even profession. Don't take it personally.
A person who does not want to commit to the aims of the organisation is like an energy vampire - they will suck the life out of the other team members. Sure, there will always be disagreements in business - and personally, I love it when people feel so strongly about something that they're prepared to argue passionately about it, because it means they care - but negative attitudes are very different.
They can drag an entire team down. For negative people the glass is always half empty, life is always better elsewhere and nothing will make them happy - so don't even try!
Yes, but...
This has nothing to do with talent or whether people are likeable or even how hard they work. Some of the most talented and likeable people can also be the most negative and destructive.
Often, they're unaware that they're even doing it. You can spot these people very easily, as they're the ones often overheard saying "yes, but..." to almost everything suggested.
For example:
Bob: I've got a great idea for a new product.
Nob: Yes, but... it ain't gonna get heard in this place.
Bob: Well, I could always try and speak to my manager. What do you think?
Nob: Yes, but... he'll probably take your idea and claim it as his own.
Bob: Okay, well forget about the new product, why don't we offer a free trial on the existing product?
Nob: Yes, but... your paying customers are going to get really mad - it's more trouble than it's worth.
On and on it goes: yes, but... yes, but... yes, but...
After a while, it becomes impossible to do anything with a "yes, but..." person. It always leads towards a dead end.
This negative attitude can spread through a team like a bad cold. It only takes one "yes, but..." person to put an end to creativity, imagination, risk, adventure, hope and passion. "Yes, but..." people spread doubt, diffidence, conservatism and misery.
The wise sage
By the way, these people are not to be confused with the wise sage who likes to wear a black hat. Every company needs a wise sage.
They like to run with ideas and test them against worst-case scenarios to make the ideas stronger and more resilient. They add value to the original idea by spotting its weaknesses and coming up with solutions. Crucially, they are committed to the idea and wish it to succeed.
So what should you do with a "yes, but..." person? The answer is simple: you must move them out as quickly as possible.
Make no apologies about doing it. They will take you down.
Sometimes you may have to do this with people you like, and that's very difficult. But remember, if they're not right for you then they're better suited elsewhere.
See your role as redirecting these people to a better life. It's the best thing you will ever do for your business, whether it's a theatre company, manufacturer or restaurant - in fact, it's one of the great life skills you will learn.
