The Work Revolution We Can't Ignore: Meaning, Money, and the Metrics That Matter

The business world loves dismissing conversations about meaning and purpose as distractions from "real" performance. On LinkedIn, I observe leaders proudly declaring their focus on hard metrics while rolling their eyes at "fluffy" concepts. As an executive coach, I see a different reality unfolding - one that challenges this oversimplified narrative.

Our fixation on traditional performance metrics isn't just incomplete - it's actively breaking our work systems. When GDP hits record highs while families work multiple shifts just to survive, something fundamental is misaligned. The recent wave of layoffs across industries has created an unexpected window: space to question everything about how we measure success and value.

Here's what I'm witnessing in coaching sessions: Professionals, particularly in midlife, facing an impossible dilemma. Our economic system demands they focus on career advancement at the expense of relationships and wellbeing. Yet when asked about their true priorities, most cite family, personal growth, and meaningful contribution as what matters most.

The cruel irony? We're forcing people to live in direct contradiction to their core values. As one client recently shared: "I can't afford to think about meaning right now - I need to focus on getting back to my income level." This tension reveals how our narrow metrics of success trap us in false choices.

Consider the hidden costs of our current approach:

- Mental health services overwhelmed with workplace-related issues

- Burnout rates skyrocketing across industries

- Families barely seeing each other and yet, no guarantee that the work time investment will be secure or pay off.

- A widening wealth gap that threatens economic stability

- Environmental degradation that no balance sheet captures

Yet through coaching, I'm seeing something powerful emerge: The dichotomy between meaningful work and financial security isn't as rigid as we imagine. When people use career transitions - whether chosen or forced - as catalysts for deeper reflection, new possibilities emerge.

As early as 1948, economist John Hicks proposed alternative metrics like the Genuine Progress Indicator (GPI), which considers economic, environmental, and social factors. Yet decades later, we remain fixated on the same narrow measures of success. The recent global pandemic served as a wake-up call, with the "Great Resignation" revealing a mass rejection of dehumanizing work cultures.

For those in midlife, this moment holds special significance. With decades of experience and potentially decades ahead, they're uniquely positioned to leverage their expertise while pivoting toward more meaningful pursuits. I'm watching clients discover that sustainable success requires both financial security and personal fulfillment - they're not opposing forces but essential partners.

The path forward isn't about choosing between performance and purpose. It's about:

- Using transitions to experiment while maintaining stability

- Taking incremental steps toward more aligned work

- Redefining success to include both material security and meaningful contribution

- Building skills and networks in areas that energize us while managing current responsibilities

We spend roughly a third of our lives at work - too significant a portion to waste on anything that doesn't create real value. For us, our communities, and our planet. Yes, for many, work is primarily about survival. That's a legitimate reality, especially facing economic hardship.

But acknowledging these economic realities doesn't mean accepting the status quo. The future of work isn't about abandoning performance metrics. It's about expanding our definition of performance to include what drives sustainable success: employee wellbeing, environmental impact, social contribution, and yes - meaningful engagement with work that serves both our bank accounts and our deeper aspirations.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic. Visit serinsilva.com for a free chat or leave your comments.

#FutureOfWork #Leadership #ExecutiveCoaching #Sustainability #CareerTransition

This piece was inspired by Graziella Luggen