Once upon a time in the world of work, people who managed to secure a job were grateful for the job and the pay that came with it. As long as they were able to feed and clothe their families and put a roof over their heads, they were happy.
Those in charge of the companies people worked for, didn’t take much notice of much else in terms of employees’ needs. As long as people pitched up to work, did what they were told to do and ensured the business did well, the business leaders were happy.
When it came to vision, business leaders all had pretty big vision – but that vision ended at the company gates. It was a vision that would deliver bigger pay cheques and bigger bonuses for them, the leaders, not for the workers.
As work life has evolved, so too have the motivating factors that prompt people to stay with a company and deliver excellent service.
This has led to an often-underestimated dynamic entering the workplace to play a role in what keeps people engaged and productive at work. And that dynamic is … purpose.
Purpose – the reason for why anybody does what they do – goes far beyond what the job description says or beyond the monetary compensation. Purpose serves as the catalyst that propels people to excel and enhances their performance, giving birth to a culture of dedication and innovation.
In light of this, any business that fails to recognise and harness the power of purpose is making a huge error of judgement.
Today, it’s not enough to give someone a job and expect them to be thankful and happy. You have to give them a reason to want to do that job – a reason to get out of bed in the morning to make a difference in the world. That’s what purpose does.
And when you instil in people a sense of purpose, they don’t just go the proverbial extra mile. They go a whole lot more miles.
Purpose gives people a profound sense of meaning and alignment with the organisation’s goals. When employees understand how their contributions fit into the bigger picture, they become deeply and personally invested in the outcomes. Purpose transforms routine or mundane tasks into meaningful undertakings and causes people to move beyond success to significance. This change of perspective transcends the mundane and instils a sense of pride and fulfilment in employees, further prompting them to aspire to excellence in all that they do.
Purpose acts as their North Star, giving employees a sense of direction as they navigate their way through their careers. It helps to create a common vision and cohesion within teams. When team members share a common purpose, collaboration flourishes, barriers come down and silos melt. Team members are united by a shared sense of mission which generates synergy and collective problem-solving. When this happens, innovation is birthed, as different views converge to address challenges with a new found creatively.
Another benefit is that purpose acts as a powerful motivator, inspiring employees to push beyond their limits and achieve results they had previously believed impossible. When employees are driven by a sense of purpose, intrinsic motivation supersedes extrinsic rewards. Employees are then willing to invest discretionary effort, going above and beyond the call of duty to achieve common goals. This intrinsic drive not only enhances productivity but also fosters resilience in the face of adversity, enabling employees to persevere through challenges with unwavering determination.
Don’t, however, think that purpose is a one-size-fits-all concept. Rather cultivate an inclusive culture that recognises, accepts and even honours the diverse values and aspirations of your workforce. When you empower your employees to connect their personal values with the organisation’s mission, you will release a multitude of personal, individual purposes, each contributing to the success of the company.
Importantly, if you want to harness the power of purpose, you must lead by example, living out the organisation’s values and championing its mission with authenticity and passion. At the same time, you must communicate a powerful sense of purpose clearly and consistently, ensuring that every employee understands their role in advancing the organisation’s objectives.
As you navigate increasingly complex, challenging and unchartered waters, purpose can serve as a lighthouse providing clarity, safety and security, guiding your organisation and its people towards shared success. That’s what creates true success, significance and fulfilment!
Alan Hosking is the Publisher of HR Future magazine, www.hrfuture.net and @HRFuturemag. He is an internationally recognised authority on leadership competencies for the future and teaches experienced and younger business leaders how to lead with empathy, compassion, integrity, purpose and agility. He has been an Age Management Coach for two decades and is the author of parenting best seller What Nobody Tells a New Father.
