Purpose and meaning at work….
What’s it all about? Listen here
A recent “Weekly Focus” featured the different wants and aspirations of the various generations of the work force…millennials and zoomers!
Consider initially why people come to work and, in many ways, it’s akin to “Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs.” At its most simplistic, it’s for survival…to pay for food, to have a roof over our heads and to care for our families…it continues through the needs for love and friendship and then self-esteem, and finally finding our true potential.
Given that we spend over half of our waking day at work, its logical that much of our needs then are either met or otherwise in the workplace.
Careers are no longer the norm…the days of people remaining with a company for life. New roles in business are being created all the time…more people are looking at self-employment.
Employees want to know they are working for a purpose or providing a meaningful service, rather than simply helping a company increase its profits. Make sure your team understands the importance of their work and the company’s mission. Emphasize what the organization’s product or service does for the customer or community. Give them impactful projects or assignments so they feel connected to their work. Create programs designed to give back to the community and include employees in those initiatives.
Employees want to feel empowered and trusted at work. They want to be given responsibilities and the independence to do their work without constant advice or oversight. Give your employees the freedom to work through challenges, make decisions or complete tasks on their own. After the project’s completion, then you can provide feedback on ways to improve. Trusting your employees with responsibilities can increase their motivation, creativity, and innovation.
Get all of this right and you will have more motivated staff, better staff retention, less absenteeism, increased productivity, and better customer satisfaction.
Ignore your employees at your peril!
“Very often, a change of self is needed more than a change of scene”
A.C. Benson