Business•November 4, 2023

Purpose at Work: How You Can Lead a Purpose-Driven Company

Purpose at work is the intrinsic sense of fulfillment that employees gain from doing work that has meaning. Alignment of personal and organizational values can drive engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. Engaged employees are more present, productive, and conscious of the importance of their role and their effectiveness.

More than ever, employees ask themselves, “Why am I here and doing this job?” and, “What is my true purpose?” This evolution results from hybrid work models becoming the norm and employees reevaluating their motivations and priorities. To avoid significant turnover and maintain long-term retention, employers must understand employees’ feelings and values and find ways to align them with their organizational culture.

A remote worker stretches in a chair

Strategies to help organizations provide a personal purpose at work

Night or day work can be just that–work. And some people do “work” by clocking in from nine until five daily. However, any type of work can be made meaningful by matching it to an organizational mission or goals or specific employee experience or interests.

Finding ways to involve employee skills, knowledge, or abilities to complete tasks and solve problems will result in loyal, improved employees collaborating well with others. Influencing value alignment through professional development and personal growth opportunities can provide an encouraging work environment and reduce employee disinterest.

The following are some strategies that create a sense of purpose at work.

Clarify and communicate the organizational purpose.

Clearly define the organization’s purpose. Concisely communicate that purpose and ensure all team members understand it. Understanding a company’s mission or vision helps employees understand the bigger picture and how their work contributes to the overall mission.

Promote a sense of purpose outside of work

Encourage employees to pursue their interests and passions outside the workplace. Engaging in sports, hobbies, or other non-work enjoyment can help them find a balance between personal and professional life and lead to a more engaged and fulfilled team.

Make work matter

Show employees how their work impacts the company and its goals. Employees with a sense of ownership in their work take pride in it, leading to increased presence and productivity.

Ask employees about how they view their purpose

Keep employees engaged in conversation about what they find meaningful and fulfilling in their work. Be vulnerable and share how you go about finding your purpose. This helps leaders identify areas to better align their roles and responsibilities with their values and passions.

Create learning and growth opportunities

Provide opportunities for employees to develop new skills, take on new challenges, and grow personally and professionally. New abilities and perspectives help them feel a sense of purpose and accomplishment in their work.

Celebrate meaningful work

Acknowledge employee successes and contributions to the team and organization. Doing so will help them feel valued and appreciated, leading to greater engagement.

Involve employees in decision-making

Giving employees a voice in the decision-making process that shapes the company’s direction sees them invest in its success. They become accountable for their actions and achieving the business’s goals.

Nurture a purpose-driven culture

Create a workplace culture that truly values and supports purpose-driven work. Working with purpose helps people feel a sense of belonging and connection to the organization and its mission.

What is an example of a purpose at work?

A sense of purpose at work examples include when employees can meaningfully connect with their work, contribute to their team, and then further the company’s purpose. Purpose can increase employees’ engagement, satisfaction, and productivity. For instance, a healthcare worker’s purpose may be to help patients heal and improve their quality of life. Similarly, a teacher may find purpose in inspiring and educating the next generation.

Why is purpose so important in work?

Purpose is important because it helps employees feel a sense of meaning, fulfillment, and motivation in their jobs. When employees have a clear sense of purpose, they are likely to be more engaged, productive, and committed to their work and organization. This leads to improved business outcomes, such as increased profitability, customer satisfaction, and employee retention.

What is the purpose of the employee?

The purpose of the employee is to contribute to the organization’s goals and mission by performing their job duties effectively and efficiently. This involves using their skills, knowledge, and abilities to complete tasks, solve problems, and collaborate with team members. Additionally, employees should strive to grow personally and professionally, align their values with the organization’s, and find meaning and fulfillment in their work.

A young businessperson works on a project

The “Human Deal” approach

A new concept in helping employees find purpose in their work is the “Human Deal” approach, which emphasizes the importance of seeing employees as people, not just workers, and understanding that work is a part of their lives, not separate from it.

The five key concepts of the “Human Deal” are:

Deeper connections: Creating a sense of understanding through family and community connections, not just professional relationships.
Radical flexibility: Full autonomy in all work functions, not just time or place.
Acknowledgement and growth opportunities: Working to enhance the feeling of being valued, trusted, and empowered, and creating opportunities for professional growth.
Respect: Especially with frontline staff, who often voice the desire to be respected.
Authenticity: The ability to bring their authentic selves to work.

Similarly, the “relational wealth” concept focuses on building connections, capacity, creativity, care, credibility, and clarity in the workplace.

Summary

The importance of purpose in the workplace cannot be overstated. Employees are no longer satisfied with monetary compensation; they seek deeper connections, a sense of communication, and purpose-driven work. Purpose-driven employees want to feel valued, trusted, and empowered, and they want their organizations to see them as individuals with personal lives, not just workers.

The MBA in Creative Enterprise and emerging leadership trends

Meridian University’s MBA in Creative Enterprise is a program that understands and addresses these needs. It offers an innovative approach to business education, integrating whole-person and whole-system competencies. The program prepares its graduates to develop sustainable, generative practices that ensure the individuals’ success while also serving the greater whole. It emphasizes the development of capabilities such as self-awareness, collaboration, dialogue, negotiation, and co-creation, which are critical for leaders’ success in today’s world.

Leadership courses at Meridian University are designed to build these capabilities. They focus on cultivating conversational leadership capacities and creative inquiry skills through various transformative processes. This approach aligns with the emerging trend of purpose-driven workplaces, where employees are motivated by a sense of purpose and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

The nature of work is rapidly evolving. Programs like the MBA in Creative Enterprise at Meridian University are leading the way in preparing leaders for tomorrow. These leaders will not only be equipped with the necessary acumen, they will also be able to create, evolve, and sustain a sense of purpose among their employees, ensuring their workplaces are more productive, innovative, and fulfilling.

If you want to learn more about Meridian University’s MBA program, contact an Admissions Advisor or apply online today!