Interesting insight at the end of a year. Theo Priestley made me aware of the attached citation, which was provided by Prof. Scott Galloway in a panel discussion of the New York University Stern School of Business with Stephanie Ruhle on May 31, 2019. You can watch the complete 1 hour 20 minute video under the headline „The algebra of happiness“ here: https://youtu.be/-gfEjOgxBfI?t=1311. The interesting sequence, which I quoted in the following chart comes at minute 21:50.
What do you think about Prof. Galloway’s point of view: Don’t follow you passion, but find something instead you’re good at and become excellent there? It doesn’t really fit into the common nice career advice mantras stating: „You have to find something you’re good at, you’re passionate about and what people are willing to pay for.“
Was I passionate about IT? Honestly: Not at the beginning. When the former CEO of the German sales&service organization of Siemens Private Communications wanted to make me head of one of the largest SAP projects at Siemens almost 25 years ago, I resisted and said, „You and the CFO know why I’m doing this, and the 8,997 other people in the organization will think this is a punitive transfer.“ He looked at me, grinned and said, „You just have to know who you want to rely on.“
I am one of the leading experts for analyzing and improving organizations with more than 30 years of experience in international high-tech companies (Siemens, HP, ThyssenKrupp). My portfolio comprises business-oriented, high-quality consulting and interim management services on executive level in the following areas:
Interim Management for CDO/CIO/CTO functions, IT Due Diligences&Maturity Checks, Strategic IT Management (IT Strategy, IT Architecture, IT Portfolio Management), Reorganization&Restructuring of IT Organizations&Processes, Optimization of IT Purchasing, IT Security Management including Cyber Security, Management of IT Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) as reliable basis for IT Compliance, Professional Coaching, Training and Team Building, independent Expert Opinions, professional Assessments, and Keynote Speeches.
I like complex challenges (e.g. build up new company units, restructuring, turnaround) with significant impact on the overall success of the company.
One of my hobbies is ancestry research. I can track my ancestry tree 29 generations back to the year 1368. In course of my research I found out, besides others, that one of my female ancestors, her name was Walpurga Bruebach, was beheaded and burned as a witch at the stake on Friday, October 26, 1657.
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Ein Kommentar zu „Don’t follow your passion“
Just stumpled into this post and I think the quote is 100% accurate on this topic.
There is even a whole book on this topic from Cal Newport, it’s “So good they can’t ignore you”. Almost a one sentence summary. Good read.
Also a, in my opinion, great quote on this from James Clear: Motivation evolves from action. You first have to act, and see you acting, to be motivated.
In some way I think we use passion and motivation interchangeable.
KuBra Consult 
Just stumpled into this post and I think the quote is 100% accurate on this topic.
There is even a whole book on this topic from Cal Newport, it’s “So good they can’t ignore you”. Almost a one sentence summary. Good read.
Also a, in my opinion, great quote on this from James Clear: Motivation evolves from action. You first have to act, and see you acting, to be motivated.
In some way I think we use passion and motivation interchangeable.
Best
Erik