What have we forgotten?
This past week the world watched as the first astronauts in almost a decade lifted off from US soil. For a moment we were all united, we were all part of something bigger than ourselves. Even during the Covid-19 pandemic we found something to join in together. Weeks ago my 3 children and I watched as the Blue Angels flew over my city inciting a sense of pride and a spark of inclusiveness. These moments can be exciting and fun, but more importantly they bring something much deeper to the table. They bring a sense of greater purpose.
So how does this apply to our working environments, employees, team members, businesses?
The world and the workplace have changed dramatically. People are afraid and often disengaged, strong cultures are being tested like never before. While there are many questions we don’t have an answer to, there is one thing that we do know that is easy to forget. Purpose.
The strongest cultures are the ones that tie each team member’s contribution toward a deeper meaning or purpose. Your employees are not simply laying bricks, they are building a cathedral.
Great employee experience, high levels of engagement, and true fulfillment are all contingent upon your team realizing they are part of something bigger than themselves;
in realizing they have purpose.
When organizations realize that it’s purpose that drives their people, they become empowered to thrive in the face of adversity.
It’s time for organizations to align their team members and help them form an emotional connection to their contribution, not just in their day to day activity, but toward the big picture. We often forget what doing a great job means, to those that depend on us. Our clients, our colleagues, and our communities depend on us every day.
If you are looking to reset and align your team after major changes, lead with purpose. We all want to feel like we are making a difference, and the truth is we are. It’s just easy to forget sometimes. Purpose drives people. Bring them back purpose, and see the world open up.