​​​​Christopher Sopko

Think about a time in your life when you were truly excited to do something, whether it was a golf game, a visit to the zoo as a kid, or a romantic trip to the Caribbean.  Think about how you went about the events leading up to the event.  You were probably happy and filled with enthusiasm about what would happen next.    This is the type of feeling that successful people in any organization need to express and demonstrate each day. 

Without enthusiasm you will have no passion and without passion you will have no success.  How many unfortunate people simply show up to work each day because they are there for nothing more than a paycheck?  Of course, there is nothing wrong with working to put food on the table, but why not try to find a job that excites you?  A job or career that will enable you to be enthusiastic and happy in what you are doing.

I have worked with a few very talented and extremely driven people that were absolutely terrible to be around.  On paper they most certainly had experienced some success, but they did not enjoy what they were doing.  It seemed that they were putting in the effort strictly so they could gain the experience and use it to find another job.  At best, people like this will only be short term contributors. 

We all need people in our business life that bring enthusiasm to the table each day.  The people with a “can-do” attitude that want to show the world what can be accomplished.  Enthusiasm is infectious and it can change the entire dynamic of a group in very positive ways.  I believe that you want people who are excited to come to work each day and not those who find it a chore.  The people that lack enthusiasm will often be average contributors at best.  Why hire these people?  If a person lacks enthusiasm and interest in an interview imagine how they will be once they actually have the job.

Many people have an inherent enthusiasm about them, but you must continue to nurture this or it will fade.  Do things with your employees that are fun.  Make their work experience as enjoyable as possible and let them know that you want them to be happy and experience success.

Some people mistakenly equate fun and enthusiasm with a lack of productivity.  If we have learned anything from companies like Google the truth of the situation is just the opposite.