Why Companies Should Treat Team Member Dreams as Assets and Not Hindrances (and How Project Passport Does It)
Co-written by Hannah Whitesides, Retreat Leader & Fear Management Specialist for our Company Virtual Retreats and Sabriya Dobbins, Head Retreat Leader
It seems like the pandemic has placed companies to the test in many key areas— integrity, commitment, product quality, and customer service delivery. However, one of the most important tests that companies have experienced is the quality test of employee and staff treatment. As people are getting more time alone to think about their lives and to assess their levels of happiness, companies are on the chopping block. Many workforce members are taking their talents where they are appreciated rather than staying in positions that do not serve them.
Sabriya (right) and Hannah (left) , Project Passport Team members
One of the most critical aspects of life for humans is a sense of purpose and joy in the work they do. While in the past, jobs were seen as just jobs, the present has created a new paradigm. Team members are wanting to find ways to incorporate their dreams and passions into the work they do. The two are no longer mutually exclusive, therefore it is not always about the almighty dollar. People are choosing passion over pay now more than ever. Whether one values creativity, support, or making a difference, this is now becoming a part of the lens in the career selection process.
People are choosing to do work they love and enjoy as a priority for many reasons such as:
Mental health
Flexibility (room to travel and be a part of the world)
A drive for creative focus
To make a bigger difference in the world
Religious beliefs
Family
Studies and interviews have shown that the emerging millennial workforce in particular rather have flexibility in their work over pay. They are passionate about being culturally connected with the world and making time for other areas of their wellbeing. This allows them to contribute more effectively to their career and work. In order to address the desires of the workforce to create more harmonious environments in the workplace, companies should consider doing the following:
Allowing special sabbaticals in exchange for a certain amount of work contribution
Consider task-oriented schedules over time-oriented schedules
Check-in with team members daily on happiness and satisfaction
Ask team members what aspects of their work they enjoy most and perform well in and distribute roles to highlight those strengths
Spend time learning about the personal goals and lives of team members
Create safe spaces to report any negative company sentiments or experiences
Allow for mentorship and coaching opportunities for employee growth
There are many ways to create a thriving work experience for staff that helps the bottom line and the employees at the same time. Everything starts with understanding the actual needs and desires of team members all the way from the first point of contact. With a workforce-driven focus, this translates into better client services and better production outcomes.
What Project Passport is Doing
Project Passport, a mental empowerment retreat and event start up company, has taken the passion of team members to heart as the core focus of hiring new people stems around their joy and passions in the projects to be assigned to them. During every single interview, interviewee’s personal goals are always discussed, and throughout the team member journey, company staff are constantly receiving check-ups on their work happiness and inspiration. If team members report gaps in their work satisfaction and their projects, their roles are re-assessed and readjusted as much as possible to allow room for their talents to thrive. Project Passport is not designed to be the dream of one person, but it is designed to incorporate the dreams of many to create a better tomorrow in mental health for all. No one person should be responsible for all of the ideas of any company. It is a collective effort that should be explored as a community.
When Hannah started working for Project Passport she was a senior in college preparing for graduation. During the interview process, she was asked many questions about her goals, talents, and dreams. When she started with Project Passport, she began doing the thing she loved most, planning itineraries and traveling. Over the last year and a half, she grew in the ranks of her role and closer with Sabriya, the company founder and CEO.
“Now, I see her as my friend but also respect her as my superior,” Hannah states.
Hannah (left) and Razeen (right), Project Passport Team members
When Hannah first started working for Sabriya at Project Passport, she only saw her as her boss, and like many people, she had been conditioned to believe that bosses are scary and critical. For a few years prior, Hannah had wanted to start her own travel blog but never knew where to start or how to do it. Several text drafts and a lot of courage later she asked Sabriya if she could start a travel blog for Project Passport. Her response wiped away any preconceived notions that Hannah had of how bosses are “supposed to be” because she not only received a “YES” but she received incredible encouragement as well. A few weeks later, her successful travel blog, Endless Expeditions, was up and running on the Project Passport website.
When exploring the journey of Project Passport, through all of the highs and all the lows, the company has created a team of unique and inspiring people. Just like Hannah’s travel blog, Sabriya has created a space for each team member to explore their different passions and incorporate them into what we do as a company. Each person's unique passion has allowed Project Passport to branch out into areas that it never even considered before. The company now incorporates travel writing, yoga/meditation, cultural dance movement, life coaching, and tai chi into its retreats.
When you allow your team to express who they are through the work your company does, it creates a team that is more creative and motivated and a product/service that is one-of-a-kind. Often time leadership may believe what they know is best but they would be surprised to know what the on-the-ground staff has to offer. Companies should provide ample space for the talents, dreams, and passions of their team members to flourish. Not only will it save them hundreds of thousands on retention, but the quality of work is always more desirable when a person loves the work they do!
Companies who see the dreams of team members as hindrances and not assets are missing key growth factors that can take them to the next level. Do you believe your company is missing the mark?
Team members in a virtual dance session led by Dania, dance instruction and Project Passport retreat leader in training.
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Project Passport is a proactive mental wellness company that aims to bring mental wellness retreats, workshops and other services to company teams. We also help women create joy in their lives every step of the way. To learn more about our company retreats and services, click here. To learn more about our tribe community for women, click here. Our travel retreats will resume in the future as the world reopens.