Finding Purpose - Is it really that simple?

So … for those that are close connections on LinkedIn … you’ll know I lap up opportunities to attend conferences, seminars, meet-ups and anything where I can get across great information and insights and spend time with people who are working on what I’m working on so we can all share, chat and learn.

I went to a breakfast/info session last week and we were asked to raise our hand if our company was crystal clear on its Purpose, Brand and Culture. That’s us – up went my hand. Then … gulp … now I’ve been asked to explain this to a room of mostly strangers.

I can’t tell you how much easier it is to be a HR/OD/L&D professional in a company that is actually clear on these. HR initiatives can just fall into place when the overarching “why” is known. But at the same time, I’m going to do better at helping colleagues to connect their roles to their purpose in 2020 and here is where I’m starting.

For us, at Amicus, February means it’s time for Leaders to meet with each team member for goal setting. This is standard practice, and so much so that I’m getting feedback/requests around taking these to the next level … cue Purpose (among other things). For Leaders who are in a bit of a rhythm with goal setting and need just “something” more, this is a great conversation to have. An enhancer per say.

 Setting Goals is an opportunity to talk about “why are we here”? Not as in the complexity of life’s meaning. Rather, here at Amicus. No one wants to be an office robot living Groundhog Day. People want to find meaning, feel inspired, and see the impact their work has on others.

Having a conversation about Purpose with team members can go two ways. Get it right and people are more motivated, engaged, innovative, and productive. Get it wrong and you sound like one of those wanky, fist-pumping, happy-clappy, people who’ve stumbled across a concept and are trying to ram it in. 

So, it’s the beginning of 2020 and Goal Setting time. Leaders could enter the express lane and just tell their team that their work is important and has purpose, or they could take the time to go down the various roads that will lead to individuals feeling  the importance and purpose of their work which will maximise their motivation, engagement, innovation, and productivity.

As I mentioned, I’m fortunate – I’m in a company that is clear on its Purpose, Brand and Culture. Even if that’s not your company, there would be something somewhere that’s usable.

This is us at Amicus: Our mission is to positively impact the lives of millions of people around the world because we know that when you feel inspired by your work environment and valued by your employer, you’ll inspire others. We know this objective doesn’t end with the completion of the build. The process of reforming your organisation requires long term commitment and the support of a trusted friend.

 So, perhaps the Amicus Brand Purpose is something a Leader can look at with their team member and ask:

• Which parts of this connect most with you?
• Why do those parts connect with you?
• How can you show this through the work you do?
• What should we include in your goal to link your work to your purpose?

LinkedIn is for sharing so I welcome hearing about other conversations starters that have been tried and tested and are proven to work.

 Quick story that starts off morbid then takes a positive turn to bring purpose to life: We’ve recently launched our Touchline Book and our CEOs spoke of how they don’t want their tombstones to just read “He put up heaps of petitions and desks”. For Andy & James their purpose connects to positively inspiring as many people globally as possible and Touchline is one of the ways they to do this. For me my purpose is around being useful & knowledgeable to Leaders so they can be inspirational to their people.

Key point - Purpose can be small scale to large scale, a minimal description to a detailed description, laymen’s terms to a polished wordsmithed declaration. It doesn’t really matter how you say your purpose, it just matters that you have one and know what you want to be known for while you’re at work.

So, for our Leaders and Leaders everywhere, if you’re up for something a bit more than a standard catch up with your team members, you might like to start a conversation about Purpose.

 And, if this concept is a bit far removed for you, maybe this goes into your goals i.e. to get more comfortable talking about Purpose and getting closer to realising yours and your team members.

 If you have gotten this far, thanks for having a read and I welcome any thoughts, ideas or discussion.There are so many resources out there about Purpose and if you have any to recommend to me that are practical, implementable and relate-able by all walks of life I would LOVE to hear about them (please & thank you).