In the book entitled Be Yourself – Discover the Life You Were Meant to Live, author John Mason writes that “Every great and commanding movement in the history of the world incorporated enthusiasm. Nothing great was or will be achieved without it.” The poet and writer Ralph Waldo Emerson agreed, saying “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm.” Mason added that, “In a survey, two hundred national leaders were asked what makes a person successful. Eighty percent (of the respondents) listed enthusiasm as the most important quality. Some pursue happiness – others create it. A person who is enthusiastic soon has enthusiastic followers.”

Indeed, enthusiasm is the rocket fuel propelling achievement. Thus, it is an especially important quality in the workplace and critically important to leadership. Although many employers value and are impressed by confidence in their employees, enthusiasm is probably more valuable. Unlike confidence which is inwardly focused, enthusiasm is outwardly focused. While confidence speaks to certainty – perhaps even false certainty – enthusiasm speaks to creativity and joy. While confidence can come across to others as arrogance, enthusiasm is usually seen as enjoyment. What’s more, unlike confidence, enthusiasm is highly infectious. Confidence fuels an individual but enthusiasm fuels a team. So why isn’t enthusiasm valued more highly? Why doesn’t every job description start with “Looking for an enthusiastic candidate to….” And how can a company reward and encourage enthusiasm in the workplace? Continue reading →

Pride is often thought of as a flaw or sin. “Being prideful” is considered synonymous with being conceited, haughty or egotistical. It is the opposite of humility. There are few personality traits more distasteful than a person who is prideful or boastful. “Pridefulness” is seen as a shortcoming or failing of character. However, there is another kind of pride. “Taking pride” in one’s work is actually a virtue or quality. It is one that employers should seek in new hires, and it is a trait that every employee should embrace and emulate.

What does it actually mean to take pride in one’s work? Abraham Lincoln once said that “whatever you are, be a good one.” At the core of his message was the concept of taking pride in one’s work. And that is no small thing. A job well done is a meaningful accomplishment. In theory, this is a valuable quality in any person. In reality, it may be hard to distinguish between someone who takes genuine pride in what they do and someone who does the bare minimum except when the boss is watching. What does “pride in one’s work” look like in practice? Continue reading →