Today’s workplace has changed drastically over the past several decades and few people feel fulfilled in their jobs. A recent study found that only 30% of people believe they have a clear sense of purpose at work, while 70% said they wish they had more purpose at work (Source). What can you do to help your employees rediscover their sense of purpose? Here are four ways to create a purposeful company culture and increase employee fulfillment.
With a purpose-driven company culture, employees are more likely to have fulfilling work. According to a 2017 Gallup poll, 47% of workers said they were not engaged with their jobs and 17% of people said they were actively disengaged from their positions (that is, unhappy enough to quit). Research shows that having a sense of purpose in your job not only increases engagement but also decreases turnover—and one way for companies to do that is by implementing a purpose-driven company culture. For more on how purpose leads to fulfillment check out Gallups article here.
There’s one thing every person wants at work—to be valued and understood. This feeling is key for people to feel fulfilled in their roles, whether it’s cleaning toilets or sitting in a corner office. If you aren’t intentional about your company culture, employees can lose sight of what they’re contributing and why they matter. Purpose helps answer those questions by keeping employees focused on serving customers and advancing your brand.
When we create a purpose-filled company culture, we’re setting an example for every employee that their work has meaning. We should be able to explain what our company does and why it matters (other than to make money) because, after all, if you can’t tell people why they should care about your business, you can’t expect them to care about your products or services.
Keep a purpose statement in front of you and use it as a guide whenever there’s confusion or frustration. Align your work with that larger goal, and remember that every task—no matter how small—contributes to your company culture. Even if they’re not paying, your employees are watching what you do, and they need a leader who keeps their eyes on the big picture.
Find our more about why employees need purpose here.