My dad, in his sixties, retired, still recuperating from a paralytic attack that happened a few years ago and a chronic case of cardiac anomalies, got stranded at home due to a recent bout of viral infection; and the one thing he missed the most were his golf sessions. It reminded me of just how important it is to have pursuits, either creative or intellectual, something that gives meaning to your life – something outside of work, something you are passionate about. Most people associate themselves to the work that they do, their day jobs, or their designation. While it is extremely important to have a sense of belonging and a sense of pride in your job, to grow as a human and to add value to your day job, it is also important that one finds a channel for incorporating a creative or an intellectual pursuit.
Before writing this piece, I took the time to speak with a several people I know to find out what they do outside of work, how they find the time to do it, and most importantly, if at all they are able to do so. It turns out that a lot of them felt that while trying to manage their time between work and home – there is little to no time left for anything else; and even if they want to start something, they say it is difficult to start something brand new when they already have a full blown career and other personal responsibilities. On the contrary, there were some others who found a near perfect balance despite having a demanding day job, a dedicated family life, and equally engaging and passionate creative or intellectual pursuits. Turns out that the latter were the people who approached their creative or intellectual pursuits as a passion and not just a hobby.
What is Passion?
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Most of us define ourselves by the work we do — our job titles, our responsibilities, and the teams we lead. But what happens when work alone isn’t fulfilling enough? What fuels motivation, creativity, and resilience?
In our experience working with leaders, managers, and teams across industries, one thing is clear: passion drives excellence. A person who actively pursues their interests, creativity, or intellectual growth outside work is more likely to be engaged, innovative, and adaptable in their professional role.
But how do you balance passion with work, and why is it essential for corporate success?
Related Read: 4 Strategies To Help Build Motivation
Passion vs. Hobby: What’s the Difference?
For a great deal of time, I confused passion with hobby and used the two terms interchangeably, until someone pointed out that a hobby is engaged in for relaxation and often does not have high stakes involved, while something you are passionate about, may or may not be relaxing and gives an immense sense of accomplishment.
A hobby is something we do to relax or unwind. It’s enjoyable but not necessarily purpose-driven.
Passion, on the other hand, drives action and commitment. It pushes individuals to explore, grow, and innovate—even when there’s no immediate reward.
I found myself looking up the dictionary to find the meaning of passion. Mostly, I found passion being tied to love and romance. One place listed the below
Passion (pæʃən)
uncountable noun
Passion is a very strong feeling about something or a strong belief in something.
countable noun
If you have a passion for something, you have a very strong interest in it and like it very much.
Passion, to me, is merely something that you enjoy doing so much that you put a great deal of time/ energy/ effort in accomplishing, which otherwise would not demand that much time, energy, or effort. I am sure everyone has seen (or you could be one) someone who loves spending time in the kitchen, cooking the most delicious meals or adding a touch of innovation to the old recipes, or someone who loves to sing or dance or paint.
In the workplace, passion often manifests as:
- A team member who proactively seeks growth and development
- A manager who invests time in mentoring others
- A leader who continuously challenges the status quo to bring about change
- When people follow their passions, they unlock a deeper sense of purpose, leading to greater resilience, creativity, and leadership effectiveness.
Why Be Passionate?
One could question as to why is it necessary to have a creative or intellectual or a fitness pursuit. The answer is simple – such pursuits drive you to keep going. They gives meaning to life. Whether it is to become a culinary expert, the best sportsperson, ace photographer, to have a sculpted body or even become an expert in martial arts, following a creative or intellectual pursuit with passion is what makes you go the extra mile towards achieving it!
Prioritise It Right!
We all have something that we are passionate about. That something is what makes you happy, irrespective of how arduous it might be to accomplish. It could be anything from keeping the cupboards tidy to building cutting edge laptops. Those of you who think they haven’t figured out theirs yet, think of it this way – it should already feel like a part of you, something that drives you to do more of it with near perfection, something that you do so well that you are reminded by other people that it is not normal for most others to accomplish it with such zeal; something that you continue to pursue even if that means facing criticism, embarrassment, or even financial loss.
Unleash the Talent Within
“While I love playing badminton and often have time baked in during my regular workday, I oftentimes need to steal time from work to play badminton, especially on a day when I am deeply stressed. It helps me relax and allows me to bring my focus back to work. The reason I steal time from work is because my colleagues will not understand how badminton helps me. Instead, they might think I have too much spare time at hand or worse – that I neglect my work.”
This, and several such stories that I heard left me wondering what it will take to ask colleagues and managers at work to see the side hustles and passions in a more positive light and to furthermore, accept that it is these very side hustles, creative/ intellectual/ fitness pursuits act as much needed motivators.
Start Now!
Anything outside of work requires personal initiative and commitment, more so because it is usually not rewarding monetarily. The rewards are more in term of fulfilment. It creates a well-balanced life, lets you do great work, helps you focus well and allows for relaxation. It requires one to invest in oneself by stepping outside of the comfort zone. The key is to narrow down to one or two things that test your capabilities while giving you immense sense of accomplishment.
A lot of times, we are inspired by people who are accomplished and we find ourselves saying things like, “I wish I could do something like this” or “I might want to try this out sometime”. These are all stages of commitment and awareness of where one is V/S where one wants to be.
The Role of Passion in Professional Growth
1. Passion Fuels Resilience & Motivation
A key lesson we have learned from working with corporate leaders is that passionate employees exhibit greater resilience. They are more likely to bounce back from failures, embrace change, and drive continuous improvement.
Related Read: How To Cope With Change?
Many of the leaders we work with emphasize that passionate employees bring energy and commitment that goes beyond meeting KPIs. They actively look for solutions, take ownership, and uplift team morale.
2. Passion Drives Creativity & Innovation
Innovation doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Some of the best ideas come from unexpected intersections of knowledge and experience. Employees who cultivate personal passions — be it music, art, fitness, or entrepreneurship — often bring unique problem-solving approaches to the workplace.
In a fast-paced corporate world, organizations that embrace a culture of learning and creativity outperform those that rely solely on routine execution.
3. Passion Promotes Employee Engagement & Retention
Companies often struggle with employee disengagement and burnout. But in our experience, the organizations that support employee growth beyond job roles have significantly higher engagement and retention.
When people are encouraged to pursue learning, develop skills, and integrate passion into work, they feel valued and empowered — a key driver of long-term employee commitment.
Overcoming Mental Blocks: “I Don’t Have Time”
One of the biggest reasons professionals don’t follow their passions is the perception of time constraints.
Here’s the truth: Passionate people don’t “find” time — they prioritize it.
Successful leaders integrate personal growth into their daily routines:
- A senior executive dedicates 30 minutes to creative brainstorming before meetings
- A project manager uses weekend running sessions to clear their mind for problem-solving
- A team leader joins a storytelling workshop to improve their communication skills
The key is small, consistent efforts — even 10 minutes a day can help build a habit and create momentum.
Related Read: 10 Mental Blocks To Watch Out For!
The Corporate Perspective: Why Organizations Should Care
1. Passion Enhances Leadership & Team Performance
Managers who cultivate their personal growth tend to be better leaders. Passion fuels self-awareness, decision-making, and adaptability — critical skills for corporate leadership success.
Example: Leaders who take up public speaking or storytelling as a passion develop stronger communication skills, which translate directly into better team engagement and influence.
2. Passion Supports Learning & Development (L&D) Initiatives
L&D programs that incorporate personal development, creativity, and passion-driven learning see greater participation and impact.
In our experience, when employees are given the autonomy to integrate personal growth into work, they:
- Show higher engagement levels in corporate training
- Retain more knowledge from leadership programs
- Apply learning more effectively to real-world challenges
Related Read: Why Workplace Training Is Important?
3. Passion Contributes to a Growth-Oriented Work Culture
A growth culture is one where employees feel empowered to learn, take risks, and innovate. Organizations that support individual passions foster a culture of continuous learning and development.
This leads to:
- Increased collaboration and teamwork
- A more inclusive and diverse workplace
- Higher employee satisfaction and retention
Practical Steps: How to Integrate Passion Into Work
1.Encourage Side Projects & Learning
Give employees space to pursue their interests, whether through certifications, mentorship, or creative projects.
2. Incorporate Passion into Leadership Development
Programs that blend technical skills with creativity, storytelling, and innovation create well-rounded leaders.
3. Recognize Passion-Driven Initiatives
Acknowledge employees who go beyond their job roles to create impact. This fosters a culture of initiative and ownership.
4. Create an Environment of Trust
Support an inclusive workplace where employees feel safe to explore their interests without fear of judgment.
Related Read: Building Trust in Teams
Final Thoughts: Passion as a Leadership Mindset
At its core, passion is not just about personal fulfillment — it’s about unlocking leadership potential, creativity, and long-term growth.
In our experience working with corporate teams, we’ve found that leaders who actively pursue passion-driven learning are more engaged, influential, and adaptable to change.
So the real question is: What are you passionate about, and how will you bring it into your leadership journey?
Key Takeaways for HR & L&D Professionals
- Passionate employees are more engaged, creative, and resilient
- Organizations benefit from supporting passion-driven learning & leadership
- Small, consistent efforts lead to significant growth over time
Let’s build workplaces that inspire and empower — where passion isn’t an afterthought, but a key driver of success.
