The Bright, Dark, and Unlit Sides of Work Passion

Abstract

This chapter reviews and integrates published articles that examine passion for one’s work as a direct or indirect predictor of work-related performance (task performance, business performance, and job creativity) and work attitudes (job satisfaction and organizational commitment). A review of the studied underlying mechanisms at play in these relationships is also provided. A summary of what we know and what we do not yet know about the relationship between passion and work attitudes and performance is offered, followed by recommendations for managers who wish to harness performance and attitudinal benefits stemming from work passion.