Did Passion at Work Result in a Champions League Victory for Arsenal Last Week?

It was noisy in my house last Wednesday evening! If you’ve read my blogs before, you will know that I’m not an avid football fan but my husband and son are, with over half a century of watching and attending matches between them. The noise last week was the raw, unfiltered passion of them witnessing their team's hard-fought victory.

But how many of us have the same energy and unwavering commitment, that feeling of being utterly and completely invested? Can the passion for a job ever truly compete with that of a football fanatic? And can businesses learn lessons from comparing these two very different worlds?

On the surface, a sporting match and work seem miles apart. Yet, scratch beneath the surface, and you'll find some surprisingly similar sparks that can ignite true passion in both.

I have found quite a few similarities. A sense of belonging is key, both as a football fan and in the workplace. In football, supporting a team is almost tribe-like, sharing a history, stories, memories. At work, a strong sense of team and shared purpose can foster a similar sense of belonging. When individuals feel connected to their colleagues and believe in the company's mission, passion is more likely to be a strong driving force.

Whilst the immediate aim in football is to score goals, the higher purpose is to win the league, a trophy or even the treble (every football fan’s dream) – this creates a deeper passion for a club. Similarly, passionate employees often see their work as contributing to something larger than themselves, whether it's creating innovative solutions, making a difference in people's lives, or being involved in the company's overall success.

If the rollercoaster of a football match results in victory, the thrill of the challenge is worth it. If not, there’s always next time – true football fans will continue to support and believe. In the workplace, overcoming challenges, solving complex problems, and achieving significant milestones can generate a similar sense of accomplishment, fuelling passion for the work and further development.

If you support a football team, you will know that it requires unwavering dedication. I have seen it first hand at home for many years! Calendar management, research into injuries and which team is being played, the emotional highs and lows. Passionate employees also invest their time and energy into their work, often going the extra mile because they genuinely care about the outcome and want to make a difference.

There are many shared experiences supporting a football team, my husband has been going to matches with his dad and brother since he was 4 years old. Old and new stadiums, stopping off at the same newsagents on their walk to the ground, and now many more new memories formed with the addition of the next generation. The collective joy (and sometimes despair) of watching a match creates powerful bonds between fans. In the workplace, shared projects, collaborative efforts, and even overcoming setbacks together can forge strong relationships and amplify individual passion to go a step further.

The intensity and nature of passion differs from person to person and individual circumstances. Workplace passion might be less emotional and more focused on intellectual stimulation, creative fulfilment, or the satisfaction of making a tangible impact. However, businesses can learn from the similarities between football fans and employees. Creating collaboration, celebrating team successes, and offering a supportive environment can ignite a similar sense of collective passion. Clearly defining goals, ensuring there are obvious objectives allows employees to understand how they fit into the larger picture, just as fans understand the objective of winning. No matter how big or small a victory is, acknowledging and celebrating achievements reinforces the feeling of progress and fuels motivation, just as fans will celebrate 3 points in the league, it doesn’t mean they have won the title but they have inched one step closer. It’s great for employees to feel connected to a greater purpose, not just working in their individual role but being part of something meaningful. Football is a team sport; one great player alone can’t make a winning team!

Whilst the screaming, shouting and jumping around my living room last Wednesday definitely doesn’t resemble any office I have ever known, the underlying desire for belonging, purpose, challenge, and victory shares similarities. If businesses could bottle the elements that fuel the passionate dedication of a football fan, they would be able to create that spark within their teams leading to genuine enthusiasm and fulfilment in the work of their employees.

What are your thoughts? If you are a football fan or have a commitment to a hobby in your spare time, could you find the same passion in your work?