Inspiration and passion

Inspiration and passion are the fuel for success 

 Inspiration and Passion are the key to creating an organization that is growing and can maintain that growth. Of course, I think all of the principles outlined on this site are important, but Inspiration and Passion provide the fuel to drive the others. Inspiration and Passion are why some small business owners can be so successful when it seems like the odds are stacked against them. They simply have passion in spades, a passion that bigger companies can't easily match. When hiring, I would be upfront that you are looking for someone who wants to be inspired and truly passionate about their work and put inspiration and passion at the top of the requirements. Without this, it is hard to succeed.

 I once read an article in the Seattle Weekly that was titled, "How I "escaped" from Amazon.cult." It was written by a former Amazon.com customer service employee who had become disgruntled by the passionate atmosphere at Amazon.com. It is filled with quotes like this "Not long after Lisa's critique, I was approached by one of our department's earnest young "old-timers," who took it upon herself to reassure me that Amazon.com was a great organization and that this was the best job she'd ever had, a "truly life-changing" experience." In reading the article, my response was the opposite of what the author intended to elicit. My thoughts were how great for Amazon.com to have such an impassioned workplace, so impassioned that it warranted a headline that included Amazon.cult.