Are you too into your cannabis job?
"To see what is in front of one's nose needs a constant struggle" – George Orwell
When it comes to jobs, passion is the fashion. This is especially true of tens for thousands of cannabis workers & entrepreneurs who gravitated to the industry (and stay) like bees to honey.
No one will argue that being passionate about something doesn’t give meaning to life, improve your productivity, and make one happier. However, being too into a job is never a good thing when your passion slides into zealotry, clouds your judgement, poisons your communications or makes you vulnerable to management exploitation.
Many workers see benefit outside of the extra performance and happiness. Researchers from Columbia and Harvard found that employees who were regarded as more passionate than their co-workers received more positive feedback as well as more promotions and training opportunities. Other research found that employees who cry at work are more highly regarded if they attributed these displays of emotions to caring too much.
Of course, overt displays of passion can be a double-edged sword if they cross the line into unprofessional, erratic or overly emotional behaviors.
Organizations will also mishandle employee passion. I regularly see cannabis firms hire and reward employees for the love of the plant or for being super-keen at the expense of competence and professionalism. Furthermore, the above research found that companies are more likely to promote passionate but under performing employees versus more even-keeled workers.
Unsurprisingly, some managers will exploit their subordinate’s naïve keenness. A study out of Duke University, the University of Oregon and Oklahoma State University found a common weed industry practice: the inclination to ask passionate (as opposed to more neutral) employees to work at lower (or even zero) pay, for longer hours and to undertake unrelated often menial tasks.
I am not a career coach but here is how I keep my passion in check:
1) Accept reality – A cannabis nirvana full of unicorns and rainbows doesn’t exist. Heed Orwell’s words and don’t forget that the industry and plant will never be the same thing.
2) Be a fluid thinker –The French have a saying ‘your appetite grows the more you eat’ So get some hobbies and work experiences outside of cannabis. Find some wise mentors. You’ll be a better cannabis professional for it.
3) Recognize that change is inevitable – Our sector is evolving quickly but does not lack risk and aggravation.
Being passionate could be a golden opportunity to self-actualize and move mountains or a poisoned chalice of resentment and disillusionment. The choice is up to you.
#passion #coaching #manangement #employeeengagement #Orwell