The Power of Purpose

In today’s hyper-transparent world, culture has become more crucial than ever. Yet, thanks to social networks, the curtain has been pulled back on corporate culture, providing a glimpse into the inner workings of organizations like never before. No longer must we rely on guesswork to evaluate a company’s culture. In fact, Fast Company’s article “The 3 Most Important Things To Learn About A Company Before An Interview” ranked company culture as the top factor to consider.  So how can organizations create a culture that is both valuable and enduring?

Enter purpose.

While employees still appreciate traditional cultural elements such as financial incentives and appealing workspaces, these tangible perks only go so far. Simply pouring money into them won’t necessarily create a strong culture. To truly foster a sense of purpose, employees must feel connected to their work and believe in the mission of the company they serve. The alternative is a profit-and-power-driven culture, where employees are more concerned with their paychecks than the impact of their work—a far less sustainable model.

Consider this: When discussing your job, how enthusiastic are you when mentioning your company’s name? Is your tone excited or flat? Do you take more pride in your job title or the organization you work for?

In a survey of 200 professionals, a staggering 95% said they would accept a pay cut to work at companies like Google or Facebook. In addition, Deloitte’s “2016 Global Human Capital Trends report found that “meaningful work” was rated as the most important factor contributing to employee engagement, with 48% of respondents indicating its importance. This was followed by “hands-on management” (45%), “positive work environment” (43%), and “growth opportunity” (42%).

This underscores the importance of purpose: people crave ownership of their work and want to feel that their contributions are meaningful.

So how can organizations cultivate a purposeful culture? Here are some fundamental building blocks:

1. Care for the customer: Purposeful employees must be dedicated to meeting the needs of the customers they serve. A sense of purpose can only exist with a genuine concern for the end-users of the work being produced. Employees passionate about improving their target market’s lives will be more invested in delivering top-quality products or services. The first step in creating a purposeful culture is to hire individuals who genuinely care about the company’s customers.

2. Care for the results: A purposeful employee doesn’t just focus on the process but also the outcomes. They understand that their work directly impacts the company’s success, and they take pride in delivering the best results possible. As a result, they celebrate wins, learn from failures, and continuously strive for improvement. To create a purposeful culture, seek results-oriented individuals who are passionate about contributing to the organization’s goals.

3. Care for personal growth: Employees who find purpose in their work are also driven by their personal growth and development. They seek opportunities to learn new skills, take on challenging projects, and grow both personally and professionally. To build a purposeful culture, create an environment that encourages continuous learning and development and provides opportunities for employees to expand their knowledge and expertise.

4. Care for teamwork and collaboration: Purposeful employees understand the power of collaboration and the importance of working together to achieve common goals. They actively contribute to a positive work environment by supporting their colleagues, sharing ideas, and offering constructive feedback. To foster a purposeful culture, prioritize teamwork and collaboration and recognize the value each individual brings to the team.

5. Care for the greater good: Purpose-driven employees are motivated not only by their own success but also by the company’s broader mission and its impact on society. They seek to work for organizations that align with their values and contribute positively to the world. To create a purposeful culture, ensure that your company’s mission is clear, inspiring, and communicated effectively to all employees.

By emphasizing the essential aspects of care for the customer, results, personal growth, teamwork, collaboration, and the greater good, you can create a thriving, purposeful culture that magnetizes top talent and fosters unwavering dedication to your organization. As a result, you’ll cultivate a workforce that is engaged and motivated, high-performing, and driven towards excellence, ensuring lasting success and prosperity for your company.

Embrace the power of purpose and watch your organization flourish as it reaches new heights of achievement and impact.