Much has been written on how to motivate employees (and whether it is even possible).  And yet, the highest performing employees are those who are internally driven.  Great leaders know this.  They focus employees’ individual passions into a collective effort through communicating and supporting a clearly articulated vision.  And that vision invariably supports a shared value system.   

This is no great epiphany.  Consider the following:  given the same financial resources, the same products to sell and the same customer base, if you have one set of employees who are passionate about what they are selling and another that aren’t – who do you think will have better results over time?

Easy enough concepts to understand, but as is often the case – the devil is in the details of turning a concept into reality.    Great leaders inspire their teams into creating great companies by determining what it is that drives the company and why.  Some ideas to start you in the process:

• Determine what it is that you and your employees are passionate about.  What do you and they love about what you’re doing?   Not sure?  Ask.  Great leaders listen more than they speak.  And if you aren’t sure where to start, consider a third party to assist you in the process.
• Observe.  Actions speak volumes.  Is it really problem solving that Sharon from Customer Service loves, or is it making a customer’s day a little brighter?
• Distill what you find into a company culture statement and incorporate it into your Company Vision Statement. 
• Communicate, communicate, communicate.  Share the culture statement, where  the company is going, how the company is doing and what the company needs to get there.
• Embrace experience diversity and skills, but remember to focus your hiring and employee development efforts on supporting the Culture and Vision. 
• Take time to nurture the Culture or like any living thing it will wilt.
• Make sure your employees have the tools, training, time and authority they need to turn the Vision into reality. 

As in any relationship, passion ebbs and flows.  As a business owner, it manifests itself as owner burnout (a topic we’ve talked about on this blog in the past).  For employees it can translate into poor performance, quality and service issues, and a lack of innovation, among other things.  Keeping the passion going for everyone, through nurturing and maintaining your culture, will keep it fresh and alive.  And that’s good business.