Thriving in a Meaningful Workplace

How realistic is it to place a high value on meaning in career and work? Most of us need the paycheck, of course, but, beyond that, what are reasonable expectations from work? It is reasonable to embrace the idea of “being part of something bigger than myself,” but, not finding that at work, I can look for a new job or, perhaps, just hunker down, do the minimum to get by, and focus on meaning in other areas of life (family, hobbies, etc.).

Unfortunately, many people spend their work hours marginally engaged, watching the clock, and underperforming. And, while each of us needs to find strength and purpose within ourselves, leaders can make a huge impact.

Successful leaders instill a feeling of purpose in their employees, communicating why work matters, and aligning individual roles with the organization’s purpose. In their classic book Mastering Leadership, Robert Anderson and William Adams write, “If you lead from a deep sense of purpose, translate that into clear vision, and build alignment among key stakeholders (teamwork) in the realization of that vision, you are highly likely (.94 correlation) to be an effective leader.”

Employees need to feel their job has meaning, and this is among the strongest drivers of millennial retention. The most effective leaders create work environments with discretion, autonomy, respect, and learning so people can “find nobility in work.” And this applies to all jobs. For example, Emily Esfahani Smith, author of The Power of Meaning Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness, tells the story of a hospital janitor who sees himself as an having an important role in helping people to heal.

For further thought: Are both you and those you work with getting-by-and-surviving or fully-engaged-and-thriving? How can you better apply your skills to increase engagement and foster a climate where work has purpose? List three specific actions you could take that would create a more meaningful workplace, increasing job satisfaction and productivity.

As a leader, you have an extraordinary opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Don’t underestimate your impact!