De-Stigmatizing Self-Interest: How Aligning Purpose Drives Success

One thing you rarely hear in corporations is, “What’s in it for me?”

Self-interest is stigmatized, so we feign altruism in our interactions, pretending we don’t care about ourselves.

We ask for help under the guise of benefiting others or contributing to a greater good, while masking or suppressing our personal ambitions.?

This is a mistake.

It’s OK to say, “I need you to help me make money, become successful, respected, admired, loved – even famous!

You don’t have to apologize.

Aligning your personal goals and professional endeavors will make the world a better place.

Hubert Joly , the former CEO of 百思买 , recognized the importance of personal purpose in the workplace. During Best Buy's remarkable turnaround, he encouraged employees to articulate how their roles connected to their life purposes.

For example, a General Manager might live out their passion for leadership by mentoring and empowering their team, while a Geek Squad technician could find joy in surrounding themselves with cutting-edge technology and like-minded technophiles.

Hubert’s philosophy offers a more inspiring approach to achieving an organization's goals, where profit becomes the outcome of meaningful work rather than the primary focus.

By helping employees appreciate how their roles intersect with their life purposes, organizations can unlock what he calls "human magic" – a synergy of personal fulfillment and organizational success.

Self-interest is a powerful catalyst for positive change. By embracing our personal ambitions and connecting them to our professional roles, we not only enhance our own lives but also contribute to the greater good.

If you're interested in exploring this philosophy, check out Hubert Joly's "The Heart of Business." It's a compelling guide on how to lead with purpose and humanity in today's corporate landscape.

(How does your role align with your purpose?)