Summer Reflections #3
The underlying driver of purpose
This is my last Summer Reflection piece for the holiday season, and I will return with my weekly Mindful Motivation from next Friday. If you missed the two prior reflections, I have inserted the links below. I’ve really enjoyed writing them and trust you have enjoyed reading them.
The underlying driver of purpose
I have been reflecting on my work these past few months—how the individual parts interact with the whole. I had an insight over the holidays that brought the whole lot together, and thought I would share it with you.
While I have always felt my underlying purpose was to make leaders lives easier, it was this concept of Work Design that helped everything make sense, and connected with the meaning of my work. (Gotta love these moments of insight).
When I work with leaders, I often hear an underlying purpose in their language and see it reflected in their task prioritisation and the corresponding results. A few that come to mind from those I’ve worked with are:
A focus on high client satisfaction;
Team dynamics and cohesion;
The personal well-being of their people;
Always centred on providing pathways of growth and training opportunities;
Systems design to make life easier for the customer and team;
Community impact;
Government reform.
One employee, when offered a promotion into management, told his boss he didn’t want it. “I don’t want the extra responsibility,” he said. “I come to work to make money so I can build a future music career.” He knew his purpose.
A crane operator told me he didn’t want the offered ownership in the company. “I don’t want to manage. I just want to drive cranes.” He knew what provided meaning.
Finding meaning in our lives is important. Having a sense of purpose provides focus and a sense of reward fulfilment, and on the occasions we feel a little lost, it acts as a magnet, drawing us back to where life begins to make sense again.
I just got off a call with a client whom I’ve been working with (and his managers) for the last 6 months. He offhandedly mentioned he had enjoyed an easy Christmas period because of his team. Now that made me happy!
What might your purpose be?
Ray
Rayism of the week: Work provides, purpose drives.
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