The Power of Purpose in the Workplace
“People who work with purpose have better relationships, greater impact, and greater growth.” - Aaron Hurst
Purpose is one of our favorite topics in the field of positive psychology, as it applies to working and the workplace. We’ve always felt that whatever your occupation may be, it should put some good into the world in addition to pay in your pocket. So it made intuitive sense when we learned that purpose is a key ingredient in happiness, generally, and specifically workplace happiness.
Gina’s friend, Linda Howard, of Howard Consulting, recently wrote a beautiful LinkedIn post. It resonated deeply with her. It's not just the story of her childhood memory of time spent with her grandparents on their farm. (Though Gina grew up in the heart of New York City, she also grew up close to her grandparents - all four of them!) It's also the idea that creating connections within our work communities - because every organization is also a community - is an important piece of our work here at Chantilly Mediation and Facilitation. Connection, engagement, and purpose at work all equal a happier workplace and a happier workforce. Research supports this.
In fact, there is new research that says "organizations that score high on the Community Index - where employees feel like they belong and contribute to shared goals in meaningful ways - have a 62% increase in employee-estimated tenure at their current workplaces." 🤯 See the Global Culture Report by O.C. Tanner, in the Harvard Business Review.
Earlier this month, CM+F had the privilege to lead part of a retreat for a group of administrators in the field of early childhood care and education. As you might imagine, this is a field where there's a lot of difficult and intersectional issues, as well as burnout for staff.
So what did we do with our day? We talked a lot about purpose and values, and the values people want to live in the work they do. The retreat day we designed included:
Bite-size learning moments focused on happiness, purpose, resilience, and work,
Work-free connection conversations between colleagues,
Work-focused discussions about the challenges and the future of the field,
And four separate opportunities to get out of our verbal minds and draw!
Finding passion and purpose at work can be incredibly fulfilling and motivating. Here are some key points to consider:
Aligning Values: Reflect on your personal values and how they align with your current job or career path. When your work resonates with what you believe in, it can feel purposeful.
Identifying Strengths: Understanding your strengths and skills can help you find roles or tasks within your job that you excel at and enjoy. This can lead to a sense of mastery and satisfaction.
Seeking Meaningful Work: Look for aspects of your job that have a meaningful impact, whether on individuals, society, or the environment. Knowing that your work makes a positive difference can provide a deep sense of purpose.
Continuous Learning and Growth: Engaging in opportunities to learn and grow within your role keeps things interesting and can reignite your passion. It also allows you to develop professionally, which can lead to more fulfilling work.
Building Relationships: Cultivating positive relationships with colleagues and clients can create a supportive work environment and make your job more enjoyable.
Staying Flexible and Open: Sometimes, passion and purpose can evolve over time. Remaining open to new opportunities or changes in your career path can lead you to new passions and purposes.
Personal Fulfillment: Ultimately, finding passion and purpose at work is about finding a balance that brings you personal fulfillment and satisfaction. It's about enjoying what you do and feeling that your work matters.
By focusing on these aspects, you can cultivate a deeper sense of passion and purpose in your work, leading to greater overall satisfaction and motivation in your professional life.
Our best advice is to reflect on how you live your purpose in the work you do and actually talk about it openly with your colleagues, too. The more we recognize the importance of purpose, the easier it becomes to help more people connect with their purpose.