Culture Makes the Difference

Just read this Fast Company article about GE's Durham, North Carolina jet engine factory. I know, I know, what could possibly be interesting about a factory? 

Well I'll tell you! What's remarkable about the Durham factory is that it has the highest productivity and quality out of all of GE's jet engine plants, YET no monetary bonuses were used as incentives and there were NO middle managers - just one general manager for the entire plant.

I wonder why GE hasn't taken this model to their other business units? Maybe because creating a culture like this isn't something that can be replicated without passionate linchpins. 

I'm a firm believer that money is not a sustainable motivator. No matter how much a person is paid, eventually motivation will take a dive unless a culture of creativity, caring and passion in one's work is established. Sure, money is a big motivator at first but do you know of anyone who's left a high-paying corporate gig to create a startup?

Wouldn't you like to work in an environment like this? You can without changing jobs, if you want to.