Passion and imagination tend to be thought of as entities that can assist your career, but not necessarily make or break it. Skill sets are what initially qualify you for a job opportunity, and if you happen to be passionate about your profession, lucky you!
Matt Eastwood, Chief Creative Director for J. Walter Thompson, Worldwide, says it’s time to rethink this misconception.
For the second year in a row, Eastwood delivered a keynote address from the Cannes Lions mainstage. After discussing the high risk and high return of curiosity last year with Brian Grazer, Eastwood turned his attention to another of his favorite topics: passion.
“Passion is the strongest indicator of your potential,” Eastwood said during his “Passion Trumps Talent” seminar.
“Yes, you need to have a brain in your head. And yes, you need to bathe once in a while. And dress respectably. But I much prefer passion over talent, passion over pedigree, passion over a well-tailored suit.”
Why is it that so many people defer to “sustainable” careers in lieu of perusing their passion? Unfortunately, not all people are able to integrate their passions into a model that fits the business world.
“Most of us wanted to be firemen or ballerinas or pop stars or superheroes when we were young. But instead, most of us ended up choosing more attainable professions,” said Eastwood.
But passion is what sustains us, and enhances the way we approach our jobs. “The point is, no matter what the subject, people who are passionate about something are usually more passionate about everything,” said Eastwood, sharing several J. Walter Thompson employees as examples.
Anita Ríos, Creative Director of J. Walter Thompson Buenos Aires, turned her passion for shoes into a business venture and recently developed her own brand. Ríos’s interest in fashion started at a young age playing with her doll’s clothes and shoes.
Ríos said that launching a brand while simultaneously maintaining a full-time day job is no small task.
“Working in this industry is very demanding and time consuming. Still, you need to find a way to give your passion a space in your schedule,” said Ríos.
Similarly, Simon Langley, Executive Creative Director of J. Walter Thompson Sydney, has a passion much different from his career in advertising: Formula One racing. “There’s just something about it. The sound, the atmosphere, the mind blowing technology,” said Langley.
Car racing and advertising have more in common than one might think, especially when it comes to speed.
“Formula One is a fast paced, high pressure sport where you’re only as good as your last season,” said Langley. “Pretty similar to advertising, although they get paid a little more!”
So, why is it valuable to have shoe lovers and Formula One aficionados on staff?
“It gives these great people something else in their lives, but more than that, it gives them energy and meaning and teaches them to try harder and devote themselves,” said Eastwood.
“Believe it or not, it changes the dynamic of the work itself, because these people are accustomed to pouring themselves into something.”
