by Kathy Sierra



People ask me, "How can I get our employees to be passionate about the company?" Wrong question. Passion for our employer, manager, current job? Irrelevant. Passion for our profession and the kind of work we do? Crucial. If I own company FOO, I don't need employees with a passion for FOO. I want those with a passion for the work they're doing. The company should behave just like a good user interface -- support people in doing what they're trying to do, and stay the hell out of their way.

Applying the employer-as-UI model, the best company is one in which the employees are so engaged in their work that the company fades into the background.

Given a choice, I would work ONLY on projects that followed the Hollywood Model, where people come together with their respective skills and talents, and DO something. Make a web app. Create a book. Build a game. Develop and deliver learning experiences. The happiest moments of my work life were on projects where we pulled all-nighters because we wanted to, not because the corporate culture said we weren't a true team-player/trooper if we didn't.

Employees shouldn't be sleeping in cubes to prove they're "passionate employees." I want to work with people who have a particular set of skills (and interests) who view themselves and one another as either professionals/craftspeople (programmers, designers, engineers, animators, editors, scientists, authors, educators, architects, entertainers, etc.) or as producers and assistant producers (the people who pull it all together, support the craftspeople, and make it happen).

[UPDATE] I do not consider "caring about the user" as separate from "our work." In other words, I consider one who is truly passionate about their work to have "the effect it has on the user" as a fundamental part of that work. A tech book author/teacher who has brilliant wordsmith-ing and technical breadth but no effect on the reader is not a professional. A software developer who crafts brilliant code that doesn't include that code's effect on the user is not a professional. Part of what makes us professional/craftspeople is that we value and never forget the POINT of our work, and the point is--for most of us--what it means for the user. It's quite sad that many of our professions have rewarded work without making the user the most important attribute of how we asses that work.

I realize these aren't mutually exclusive--one can be passionate about their employer and the work they do, but it's a matter of which one employers value. And all too often, it's the wrong one.

The simple 4-question test to see if someone has a passion for their work:

When was the last time you read a trade/professional journal or book related to your work? (can substitute "attended an industry conference or took a course")

Name at least two of the key people in your field.

If you had to, would you spend your own money to buy tools or other materials that would improve the quality of your work?

If you did not do this for work, would you still do it (or something related to it) as a hobby?





Kathy Sierra
Game Developer
Co-Author

..........................................................................................................

		Kathy Sierra has been interested in the brain and artificial intelligence since her days as a game developer (Virgin, Amblin', MGM). She is the co-creator of the bestselling Head First series (finalist for a Jolt Software Development award in 2003, and named to the Amazon Top Ten Editors Choice Computer Books for 2003 and 2004). Click on picture to read more about Kathy Sierra
Editorial International Contributor

..........................................................................................................

		David Riensche grew up in the small town of Sequim, Washington, USA. His education took him to Washington State University where he earned a Bachelor's Degree in fine art, and to Seattle where he earned a technical degree in Graphic Design from the Art Institute of Seattle. Click on picture to read more about David Riensche
Creative USA Contributor

..........................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................

Read SIMILAR ARTICLES on THE DRIVER SPEAKS

Hiring and Firing

Why I Passed up the Chance to Work at Apple

Space for Creativity

..........................................................................................................



© 2003- 2007 by TAXI Design Network. All rights reserved.