How do you deal with Business Passion Blockers?

We have all been there – being passionate for something, some project, some show, some event and then having someone like a boss or a client who is not so passionate, block that passion. Blocking meaning halting it, changing its course before the passion can be built upon and really grow to something cool and impactful.

This morning I was very excited about a ongoing initiative we are producing at Grass Shack Events & Media. I was really passionate when I presented the ideas this morning – ideas the client asked for, yet the client blocked this passion by saying- I don’t want to talk about this now.

I understand this is part of business and the selling process of any idea is a giant step. I moved away and we are regrouping but I sensed the whole teams deflating passion. The client had been passionate before, but it now just became a job.

How do you deal with passion blockers?

One way when I look back in my life is to move away from passion blockers as fast as possible. Quit that job, fire your passion blocking client, change your team around.

One of the most historic moments in my life handling a passion blocker was my old company I was working with before starting Grass Shack Events & Media who I started with another producer at the company and Carrie McAllen. I was working passionately and very hard at my old job running all the staffing and resources for a large corporate production company in Walnut Creek, California. My yearly review came up and I reported directly to the two owners. When the review started we waited for the other owner for 15 minutes. We made small talk and then he said. “lets start the interview” I said ok and started to passionately tell him I was worked extra hard on all sorts of extra projects around my core job to help the company. He said he noticed I was the only one raising my hand to volunteer for all the small projects that pop up in any company- let alone a production company with its wide variety of corporate clients. I explained that I wanted to learn everything about the company from head to toe so I could be a better employee and help the company I loved.

Then Mr. Passion blocker came in 25 minutes late. The other owner came in eating a bagel and said. “Why should we give you a raise, you don’t bring us any revenue” I looked at the other owner after telling him how passionate I was to make this company better. He just shrugged. The owners personal assistant who came in said to the passion blocking boss I need to see you. And Mr. Passion Blocker got up and walked out.

How I handled this passion blocker? That happened 7 years ago and is the day Grass Shack Events & Media was born.

This mornings experience now just makes me want to be more prepared, more creative for our next meeting. I know this client has the passion (I have seen it) I just need to tap that passion.

How do you handle passion blockers? Have you handled them in the past?
Maybe a passion blocking co-worker? Boss? Client? I would love to hear it.