Breaking down a 2023 HR Trend: What does “Purpose-driven” work and workplace mean and how can you achieve it?
According to a recent article from Forbes, a new role has emerged for HR: “Culture Architect and Community Activist.” As Forbes outlines in this article, increasingly, people want to work for a company that gives an employee purpose and meaning, whether through their work or because of a belief in what the company stands for.
What exactly does this mean? Being purpose-driven in the context of work and workplace refers to having a clear sense of meaning and direction in what you do. It means aligning your personal values, passions, and goals with the work you engage in, far beyond just the financial rewards or career advancement.
A purpose-driven work approach allows individuals to find meaning and fulfillment in their professional lives. It involves pursuing work that resonates with their values, interests, and strengths and enables them to contribute to something they believe in. This gives your employees personal fulfillment beyond just getting rewarded for doing a job.
A purpose-driven workplace, on the other hand, is an organization or company that prioritizes and promotes a greater purpose beyond profits, putting values on areas such as social impact, sustainability, employee well-being, and making a difference in the world.
When employees are aligned with the purpose of their work and feel their contributions matter, they are more engaged, motivated, and committed. Foster a sense of ownership, autonomy, and empowerment, this allows and contributes to employees to feel a deeper connection to their work. These actions breed employee engagement and motivation.
Organizations that are purpose-driven tend to attract and retain top talent too. This is especially important in today’s highly competitive job market.
When employees are motivated by a greater purpose, they are more likely to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and adapt to changing circumstances, leading to organizational growth and resilience. Innovation and creativity are sparked and stimulated by a purpose-driven idea, or a need. Look no further than the saying, “necessity is the mother of invention.”
Cultivate a positive, supportive organizational culture based on shared values. Let those values guide decision-making processes, foster collaboration, and create a sense of unity, and purpose among employees.
A purpose-driven workplace acknowledges the impact it has on society and strives to make a difference. It integrates social responsibility into its core values and operations, seeking to address environmental, social, and ethical concerns through its products, services, and practices.
Don’t just manufacture heating, ventilation, and AC systems; manufacture systems that help the overall well-being of our planet. Don’t just sell coffee. Sell a sense of community, celebrate coffee through the lens of humanity. And don’t just sell music subscriptions. Give people a place to unlock their potential of human creativity.
Overall, being purpose-driven in work and having a purpose-driven workplace contribute to individual well-being, company success, and a positive impact on society, creating synergy between personal fulfillment and meaningful contributions.
Do you have a story on how you create, manufacture, sell and/or build something and have made strides to rebrand as a purpose-driven workplace? We want to hear your stories.