A company with a well-defined purpose and passionate employees who share it, can unleash a massive boost of employee enthusiasm that can only be born when purpose and passion align. Unfortunately, this is a ‘free’ resource that most companies are not tapping into nearly enough.
Stephen is among a growing number of talented individuals who have struggled with finding a role in their organizations in which their purpose and passions could flourish. Moving up the career ladder he eventually felt so disconnected with his profession he wondered what it was that even attracted him to it in the first place. At this current phase in his career he was spending more and more time with politics and less on building meaningful relationships, making a difference and achieving any kind of success or results. “I began to wonder why I turned up, each day I felt a little more of my energy and enthusiasm disappear. I was also getting more frustrated at the lack of authenticity within the company, what it said it stood for and what it asked for / rewarded where very different. At this point I decided enough was enough and I needed to take action. The very first action being to take time for myself and consider my future, so I hired my coach.”
This phase of reflection helped Stephen to see just how inauthentic he too had become, slowly his values and strengths and passion had been eroded and he had to accept that he’d let that happen. However the coaching also helped him to reconnect to what was really important, both in terms of why he’d originally chosen that profession and also what was important to him now. This discovery process enabled him to connect not only to his purpose but back to his real self.
Then came the review of his current job and company. Armed with what he knew about himself and what he wanted for his future he could evaluate his next steps and his relationship with the company. In Stephen’s case he decided that the company was no longer the right environment for him, realising he’d be asked to compromise again in order to fit in and get on, yet this time he’d be doing it consciously which was even worse.
Interestingly (and weirdly all too common) when he went to resign the organisation came back with a salary increase, He promptly refused, but they said they really valued him and so offered an even bigger financial package. “At that point I had an insightful discussion with my boss and explained just how much either he or the company didn’t understand me if this was their approach”.
Many talented people we speak with mention that within their career or job it is core that they can express themselves and have a sense of fulfilment. That success without this is no longer real success. Of course they have mortgages to pay and people to feed, at least one being themselves. Yet they very often take the most courageous decision of all, push through the fear and pursue this intrinsic desire for a life and career filled with meaning and purpose.
Stephen moved on to a role and company that played to his strengths, shared his values and their corporate mission was aligned with his purpose. “I’m invigorated, what I achieve in a day is phenomenal compared to before. Yes there are tough days and occasionally I still ask myself why I’m doing this, but the difference is now an answer comes back and it gets me going again.”
Many large organizations do take the time to define a corporate mission that underpins their vision of the future. The short sentences can be used as a guiding compass and a decision making tool for everyone’s actions. This enables those that are considering joining to decide if it aligns with who they are too. If these sentences are a shell then the worst that happens is they recruit someone who buy’s the shell and within 6 months finds it’s hollow. Then it becomes an expensive business as they move on or even more expensive if they decide to stay. Mission, values, vision and purpose are valuable leverage points for both an organisation – whatever the size and an individual. When they coincide the payback for all is huge. As Stephen’s story shows there are some things you just can’t buy.
