Strategies for Creating Meaning and Purpose in the Workplace

Creating meaning and purpose in the workplace could prove to be a game-changer for employers looking for talent in 2020. Recent studies have churned up intriguing evidence that the pursuit of a meaningful experience in the workplace is indeed on the rise. A Kronos survey discovered that, after compensation, Gen Zers chose “meaningful work” over both employee benefits and flexible scheduling. Gallup reports that 41% of employees want to know what a company stands for. “In today's business world, citizens are demanding that companies be a force for good, not just a machine that churns out cash for the wealthy,” advises Dan Schwabel.

PwC, reporting from the Putting Purpose to Work study, found 79% of leaders think ‘purpose’ is central to business success, leading one to believe that employers and employees find themselves on the same side of the meaningful work discussion. Yet, the same study noted that only 34% of business leaders say their organization’s purpose is a guidepost for their leadership team’s decision making. While some companies have gone so far as to create positions within the company to support the organization’s purpose-driven pursuits and responsibilities, others are slow to get with the program. A simple, first step toward developing a purpose-driven culture is to acknowledge the efforts of your staff. “When you’re recognized for the good work you’ve done, you’re more prone to move on to do more good work,” says Eric Mosley, CEO of performance management platform Globoforce.

Check out Samantha Campbell’s list of ideas for demonstrating employee appreciation, titled When I Work. Then, move on to bigger, more-purpose driven, more meaningful pursuits.

• Check busywork and bureaucracy at the door

“If your business is teeming with excessive rules, processes, or bureaucracy, all that messaging is empty rhetoric,” writes Lisa Bodell, author, and CEO of innovation training programs provider, futurethink.com. “Nothing separates individuals from the sense that their work is worthwhile than the curse of complexity.”

Mission and purpose can become buried under a sea of burdensome, sometimes confusing, often unnecessary processes and procedures. Don’t allow the “forest” to disappear behind the “trees.”

• Create collaboration/mentoring opportunities

Such occasions allow employees to gain/share a different perspective, impart knowledge/learn from the knowledge/wisdom of others. “Helping employees find a sense of purpose — helping them engage and feel like they are part of something bigger — is important to any organization no matter its size or industry,” suggests Think Big Edge.

Anne Loehr, an expert in preparing leaders for the workforce of the future, shares these tips for improving a purpose-driven focus—

• Find ways to increase organizational trust and transparency, where mistakes are applauded, and difficult conversations rewarded.
• Attract, hire, and retain prospective employees and freelancers by emphasizing the importance of their growth, impact, and peer relationships.
• Redefine the organizational chart and office space, so it reflects purpose-driven conversations, instead of just departmental discussions.

When employees find meaningful work at a purpose-driven organization, they will push themselves to consistently deliver a top-notch performance, furthering their sense of meaningful work and contributing to the company’s success. Are your strategies in place? Do you provide meaning and purpose to your employees? Give your company an honest grade – it’s the first step to success.