As I walked through the very large manufacturing floor of the company I was interviewing at, I couldn't help but stare at the photos on the wall. They were of children who were being examined by MRI machines, which the company manufacturered. I asked the woman, who would become my boss, why the photos were there. She said it was to remind all of us that the work we did making these machines was important.
Every moment of my employment there, I kept that in mind. As did everyone who worked at the company. We were driven, daily, by a purpose --- saving lives.
While not every company can make that claim, at the very least every company is solving a problem for someone and making their lives better.
This sense of purpose is something that is very important to younger workers. A recent survey from Deloitte found that nine in 10 Gen Zs (86%) and 89% of millennials said that purpose is key to workplace satisfaction and well-being,
This belief is so strongly held that half of Gen Zs and just over four in 10 millennials (43%) have rejected assignments due to their personal ethics and beliefs.
Deloitte got the message and even included wording to reflect this belief. Instead of a typcial HR title, Elizbeth Faber 's title is Deloitte Global Chief People & Purpose Officer.
A recent article from Meridian University notes that when employees feel a sense of meaning in their jobs, they are more engaged, productive, and committed to their work and organization. While this can lead to improved business outcomes, such as increased profitability, customer satisfaction, and employee retention, I think improving someone's life is the highest use case.
The article offered some strategies to 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.
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.
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.
