What does it mean to have a purpose at work and why is this important?

Having a sense of purpose at work helps an individual feel they are adding value through their work. It helps them to feel motivated and connected to the larger team and/or organization. Their purpose helps to act as a guide for them and the work they are performing. When one finds meaning in their work, and a sense of purpose, they tend to be more engaged, and thus more effective in delivering results, benefiting the team and the organization. Even more impactful, when an individual’s “life purpose” aligns with their work purpose, there are clear benefits to all. Having a purpose at work is also important for retaining employees.

According to a Gartner article, as well as many others I’ve read, “Employees Seek Personal Value and Purpose at Work.” What can you do to ensure your employees have a clear purpose at work?

First, let’s start with the larger organization. Oftentimes, an organization has a clear purpose and mission, but it often stops there. When someone chooses to work for their company based on the organization’s purpose, there is a likelihood that they feel a connection to that purpose. If your company doesn’t have a clear purpose and mission that is actually guiding the organization, it may be time to revisit and evaluate if the purpose has changed, or if there is a need to adjust how you are working towards your purpose and mission. And, if your purpose is simply words that are not being honored, this can create confusion, and worse, a break in trust.

As important as it is to have clarity of the organization’s purpose, it is helpful and important for each team to have a clear purpose, and within each team, for each team member to have a purpose that rolls up to the greater purpose.

There are many approaches to ensure your employees have a clear purpose at work. A few tips:

• Make sure to connect the team’s purpose to the organization’s purpose.
• Acknowledge and validate when an employee is adding value and helping the team and organization move toward their purpose.
• Take time to engage in conversations with your individual employees, getting curious about how they feel connected and what matters to them.
• Provide opportunities for your employees to reflect on how they are connected to or contributing to the greater purpose.
• Find ways to connect your employees to their purpose – and ask them what they want!

This can feel challenging. Some of my work involves working with individuals, teams and organizations helping them to clarify their purpose and commit to actions that ensure they “stay on purpose”. What are your biggest challenges around purpose at work? Let’s connect.

“Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy