Communicating passion for work: examining the relationship between passion, self-determination, and communication behaviors

ABSTRACT

During the COVID-19 Pandemic, American workers began leaving their jobs in search of meaningful work. This change in the American workforce necessitated greater insight about what organizational members desire from their jobs. This study utilized self-determination theory (SDT) to explore workplace passion and its relation to members’ communication behaviors of voicing dissent, task and relational competence, and workplace relationships. These behaviors fulfill members’ needs of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, respectively. Results of an online survey of 308 people revealed that each of the communication behaviors were related to the corresponding psychological need. These findings contribute to passion and communication literature by identifying communication behaviors which members may use to communicate their passion. The findings also provide practical insights on how organizations can create cultures and environments that promote healthy communication behaviors that can foster passion within employees.

KEYWORDS:

• Communication competence
• organizational dissent workplace relationships
• workplace passion

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mark W. Morris

Mark W. Morris (M.A., Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, 2022) works for the Nueces Center for Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities where he oversees a crisis intervention team and provides trainings regarding intellectual disabilities to community members.

Michael Sollitto

Michael Sollitto (Ph.D., West Virginia University, 2014) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication & Media at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He teaches courses focusing on organizational communication, leadership, and instructional communication. His research interests include relationships, specifically student-student relationships, leader-follower relationships, and peer coworker relationships.

Stephanie Rollie Rodriguez

Stephanie Rollie Rodriguez (Ph.D., University of Iowa, 2005) is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication & Media at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Her current research interests include relational dissolution, favoritism in families, and relationship maintenance. She enjoys teaching intercultural, relational, and family communication.