Article Review: When Following Your Passion Turns Toxic by HBR's Ascend

How can following your passion turn toxic? The work culture has a lot to do with it. Ascend's latest article by Berry and Jachimowicz, offers a powerful discussion of this intricate issue, looking at how creatives and artists can struggle when the job is no longer a labour of love. We'll review and explore some of the themes discussed in the article, providing an in-depth analysis of the issues that creatives and artists may face in this modern workplace.

1. The Growing Pressure of the Creative Job Market

In the age of digital transformation and the ever-changing job market, creative professionals are facing more pressure than ever before. As technology becomes more sophisticated and capable, the job market is becoming increasingly competitive. Employers expect creative professionals to stay on top of the latest developments in their field and be able to create innovative content, quickly, that stands out from the rest. The expectation is high-quality work, consistently and in large quantities, with a pay grade that doesn't match the output or support a well-balanced life that fosters creative work.

In the article Berry and Jachimowicz tackle a case study of a creative who faced impossible expectations and output requirements with a beginner's wages. It was her dream job, but she was barely able to afford to live and had no time to see friends, family or live her life. She was constantly working and creating to meet deadlines and output requirements. She began to question her career choice. However, she discovered that it was not the creative work that she disliked but the employer's toxic work culture and expectations that were killing her. Once she left her dream job, after a great deal of internal struggle, she found still loved drawing and creating. The job was too intense and had her doubting her passion, even though it was her dream.

2. The Vulnerability of Creatives and Artists

Creativity has always been a double-edged sword for artists and creatives. It takes immense courage to be unapologetically vulnerable and authentic by sharing personal stories and ideas. But it’s also nerve-wracking to put yourself out there and face criticism and backlash. It’s a process that no amount of practice can make perfect. Creativity is a messy process of trial, error, and confidence-building. But it also produces something uniquely beautiful that is worth the risk of vulnerability.

For the above reason, it can be difficult to pursue your creative passion as a career. In the article, Berry and Jachimowicz make some recommendations that help artists and creatives pursue their passions while protecting their process, their authenticity and their enthusiasm for the work. The three ways they recommend doing this are to do it as a side gig. Keep your 9-5 job and do it in your spare time. This way you can do work you connect with and do not have to do it to make a living. The second is to vet employers as much as you can in the interview process until you find a creative agency that aligns with your values as an artist. The last is to move on. If the job market is just too intense and kills your passion for the work, it might be that the job market in that field is not progressive enough to support all artists and creatives at this time and you need to leave it behind.

3. How to Create a Supportive and Productive Work Culture

Creating a supportive and productive work culture starts with developing an organizational culture that values collaboration and open communication. Developing a culture of appreciation and respect can help to create an environment that is comfortable and conducive to producing better results. Ensuring that employees feel acknowledged and appreciated will motivate them to do their best work. Additionally, creating small teams within the organization that allow them to work together on projects and initiatives can foster a greater sense of collaboration among employees. Encouraging employees to take feedback constructively and provide open and honest feedback themselves will create an organization that is continuously learning and evolving. Finally, it is important to recognize and reward employees for their contributions and successes.

The reality is, as the article points out, a lot of creative workplaces do not foster this kind of environment. They value high productivity and results over respect and appreciation. They require high output rates without fostering creativity and preventing burnout in their staff. The article discusses burnout and the importance of moving on from a place of employment when you feel that you are reaching that point of exhaustion. It also offers advice on what to do when looking for your next job. Be sure to vet your potential employers as much as possible. Ask questions about managers' styles, and work-from-home policies, and schedule a walk-through before accepting an employment offer, to get the vibe of the workplace for yourself. The article also suggests looking for red flags in job postings and during interviews, as well as figuring out what the deal breakers are for you. So, if they pop up you know that job is not for you. Finding a supportive work environment is possible but it may take some time and effort on your part to ensure your artistic abilities and creativity are valued and protected.

4. Why Passion Alone May Not Be Enough

No matter how passionate a person is about a particular topic or industry, there are times when it is not enough to ensure success in that field. Even, if creators possess the skills and knowledge to craft engaging content that is tailored to the unique needs and expectations of the audience the field or industry in question may be too toxic to support a healthy way of working. Perhaps the industry itself is not an ideal workplace for women and is an old boy club. The gaming industry is notorious for this. While it is changing, many women in the field still struggle to get on an even playing field with their male peers and are forced to work with toxic employers and managers who do not value their contributions.

The article tackles the issue that when the dynamics of the industry are too toxic to work in. For some creatives, no matter how much passion you have around the work, it might be something that is not ideal to pursue. In this case, the article suggests moving on. Passion can't make up for mistreatment, harassment, bullying, racism or misogyny on a systemic level within in an industry.

The article from Ascend offers an important look at the ways that creatives and artists can struggle in a work culture that isn't supportive and respectful of their labour of love. It's a timely reminder that passion may not be enough on its own and that creatives need to be aware of the potential for toxic work environments to arise. With this in mind, it becomes all the more important to create workplaces that are conducive to productivity and creative exploration.

If you're an artist or creative, be sure to read Ascend's latest article to learn more about how to create a supportive and productive work culture. Share your thoughts on the article in the comments section, and help start a conversation on how to ensure that passion projects remain fulfilling and not toxic.