A few months ago, I ran into a fast food joint to boost the economy.  The normal surly teenagers were present and ready to serve me way more than my recommended daily dose of calories.  Then the manager came into view.  Except I am fairly certain that this manager was probably the manager’s manager’s manager and she was very “enthusiastic” about her job.  She likely had participated in high level meetings about the new company slogan and what specific wording might lead to a super-sized order.  She seem to be like an octopus mutant regional manager.  Two arms were flipping burgers, while the others limbs were filling the register with quarters, mopping under the slurpee machine and welcoming the others in line behind me.

I’ll admit that my first impulse was a cynical one.  Why would this young lady hustle so hard in what was essentially a glorified fast food gig?  What was the end game?  She was a young, attractive lady that after closer observation seemed way beyond the McNugget set.

I realized almost as fast that she was passionate about her role within her organization.  She recognized the value of each customer interaction to her brand.  While I was looking down at her cynically freshly, out of an M.B.A. program, I realized that her passion was way more valuable to her employer than my pride was to mine.  We would all be wise to be as eager to exceed our responsibilities regardless of whether we are capable of more.

Harvard Business Review discusses an intriguing parallel as it pertains to the jump (and emotional commitment) between the non-profit and for profit worlds.