I kind of agree with you. If the job just requires putting something together or fixing something that has been done before then you only need a programmer with talent. Like your plumber example.
But if the project is something different that requires creativity then I'd prefer someone talented and passionate who cares about the quality of his work above and beyond.
An non programming example would be someone who's designing, building and interior decorating your dream home. Do you want someone with talent or someone with talent and passion?
The person with talent would give you a house that you've probably seen elsewhere. Everything is up to building code but doesn't surpass it. The floor hear and there migt develop a squeak down the road or maybe the layout is not as convenient after livin there for a while. The interior while nice is nothing exceptional. You're not going to wow your friends witht it.
Now the guy with talent and passion. The home will be a unique design. It will be built solid with many future problems already taken into account. The layout is perfect and the interior is amazing.
So in my opinion, passion is important when you're trying to do something new and/or unique regardless of the timeline.
But if the project is something different that requires creativity then I'd prefer someone talented and passionate who cares about the quality of his work above and beyond.
An non programming example would be someone who's designing, building and interior decorating your dream home. Do you want someone with talent or someone with talent and passion?
The person with talent would give you a house that you've probably seen elsewhere. Everything is up to building code but doesn't surpass it. The floor hear and there migt develop a squeak down the road or maybe the layout is not as convenient after livin there for a while. The interior while nice is nothing exceptional. You're not going to wow your friends witht it.
Now the guy with talent and passion. The home will be a unique design. It will be built solid with many future problems already taken into account. The layout is perfect and the interior is amazing.
So in my opinion, passion is important when you're trying to do something new and/or unique regardless of the timeline.