Indifference and Passion

I wasn’t going to post anything else before Christmas, but Bob Sutton’s list of ten things that he believes about people and workplaces is too good not to pass along! 

Many of the items on the list will make you nod your head and say “of course”.  

That’s because I believe most of you are people that do your best to respect others, try to create or foster humane and creative workplaces, and maintain an open mind.

Good for you (and the people that work with you)!

But, one item on his list was surprising to me. 

It wasn’t until I thought about it that it made sense and seemed to earn its spot on the list (at the honorable place of #2!). 

“Indifference is as important as passion.” 

I’m not sure why Bob put this one on the list, but here’s my interpretation.  

Passion can make you too close to something.  

We all need to be able to step back and disconnect. In order to see flaws in the plan, respect the input of others, and maintain an open mind, a little indifference can go a long way. 

One other thing, too many disrespectful actions are explained away by passion. It’s as if passion can be the get-out-of-being-called-a-jerk-free card.  

Passion is NOT a license to steam roll everyone in your path!

Thanks, Bob – for a holiday “ah ha!”

UPDATE 12/26: Bob explains some of his thinking about indifference.

Comments

[Carolyn Manning]

I was just over at Bob's and had to come here to see why I've not subscribed. Could be because I've never been here before; that can be fixed.

It seems to me that indifference can be passion. George Bernard Shaw said, "The worst sin toward our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that's the essence of inhumanity". The quote is a little out of context here, but says something, nonetheless: to be indifferent is to be passionately against.

[ann michael]

Hello Carolyn - Welcome!

One thing I'm finding very interesting is how passionately people seem to be reacting to the word indifference!

That reaction is probably a good indication that Bob should use another word to get his point across - but personally, I love the discussion that's happening on his blog post (the link under the 12/26 update above).

That is a great quote, by the way.