Interview on the “Passion Tax”
I’m preparing for an interview about the “passion tax” and interested in hearing your thoughts and examples.
“Passion tax” is this idea that when people are passionate about what they do, they are more willing to do unpaid labor.
When people are are passionate about what they do, in my experience, not only do they work extra (evenings, weekends, late into the night) just to make sure they’re getting everything done that needs to be done, they also take ownership, figure out efficiencies, and quickly develop the skills to be really good.
We see this often in care industries—when you see and believe in the value of what you’re doing, you are motivated to do it well, and to spend a lot of time on it. Thus the unpaid labor, the often underpaid caring professions, the passion tax.
One thing I see in the corporate tech space: Moms coming into the workplace after caregiving their own children are used to doing everything for free—and this is one of the things that makes experienced these Primary Caregivers such great hires. They are used to their work mattering.
When they join a team, they are ready and expecting to get to work and contribute value that means something..
They want to get good at the job fast, and have little patience for silly games or ineffective processes. They dive in with the gusto of a new life’s mission.
And while it may be hard to compete with the meaning and fulfillment of caregiving work . . .
People who are used to their work mattering quickly find a way to develop purpose and passion for whatever work they find themselves doing.
—> Which makes them BETTER at their jobs.
—> Which means jobs are getting done BETTER out there in the world.
This is part of why I coach, actually. I love helping people find their way to work they love.
Because the more people we have doing work they love, the better the world will be.
And if it makes the world better, why should there be a “tax” on it?
Why would we pay people less to do what they love?
Why do you think you can’t get paid well if to do work you love?
What are your thoughts on the so-called “Passion Tax”?