The Power of Purpose

Hello, dedicated HR enthusiasts! 🚀

Happy December! We are now deep into the “we’ll deal with it next year” part of the year. 😆

In the last issue, we ran a poll on what you think motivates your employees: intrinsic or extrinsic factors. Surprisingly, the majority of the votes were for Intrinsic Factors. I even ran the poll on my LinkedIn to be sure, and got the same result!

Well, you folks have decided today’s topic: the role of purpose in employee motivation and engagement. 🎯

Redefining Employee Needs: Beyond Salary and Titles

As our work and personal lives get more tangled up, more employees are after roles that really resonate with their values and passions. It’s more about a deeper sense of connection and purpose at work, and not just grinding through a 9 to 5 day.

In fact, a Linkedin survey also showed that 46% of employees really care about whether companies have a positive impact on society. Today’s workforce wants to know that they’re making a difference within their companies. Employees today are not just after a job; they're after a meaningful impact.

Plus, having a purpose, well, it's good for your health – less stress and sadness. There's this study from the Limeade Institute that says 97% of people who feel a sense of purpose, openness, and resilience at work are really engaged in what they do, compared to just 55% of those who don't.

It makes sense really - when one sees their job as more than just a list of tasks, when they feel like they are part of something bigger, it changes things. Suddenly, those everyday tasks become steps towards contributing towards something that they care about. 🤗

Okay, but how exactly is ‘having a sense of purpose’ beneficial for both employees and employers?' 🤔

1. Enhanced Motivation: Remember when we discussed intrinsic motivation last issue? Well, this is it. When employees have a sense of purpose at work - it keeps them more engaged in the work they do.

2. Boosted Morale: Working towards a common purpose just lifts everyone's spirits. Employees feel like they're part of something bigger and collaborate with more gusto. 😎

3. Greater Resilience: When tough times hit, those who are fueled by a purpose tend to bounce back quicker. They see challenges as chances to make a real impact. 💪

4. Attraction and Retention: Companies with a clear purpose attract the best talent and keep their star players. I mean, who wouldn't want to be part of a place that's driven by a meaningful mission?

It’s a win-win. **aggressive high five**

Purpose is just so personal though. How can HR folks or any organization for that matter foster a sense of purpose for their employees? 🤔

That’s fair. But there are some ways it can be achieved:

• Matching Personal Goals with the Big Picture: Helping employees see how what they do on a day-to-day basis plays into the company's larger goals.

• Get Involved in the Community: Organizing volunteer opportunities or company initiatives for social good helps employees connect with a bigger purpose, beyond just their work day. 🙌

• Foster a Value-Based Culture: You can focus on creating a place where everyone feels welcome and valued. A positive, inclusive culture makes people feel good about their jobs. 😇

• Let Employees Have a Say: Involving people in decisions makes them feel like they're a real part of the team. It's about giving them a voice and a stake in where the company's heading. 🗣️

• Make Recognition Part of the Culture: Make a big deal out of employees' achievements, whether they're big or small. Celebrating these moments shows everyone that their hard work doesn't go unnoticed. 🙏

• Giving Employees the Wheel: Let employees really own their work. Give them the freedom to make decisions and control their tasks. This way, they feel more valued and can clearly see the impact they're making. 😊

Keep this in mind – there's no universal answer. It's all about trying stuff out, taking action, seeing what's up, tweaking things a bit, and then repeating. (like how I will keep repeating this point!)

Case Studies

The power of purpose is undeniable. Let’s try to understand how we can put this into action with the help of real life case study examples. Let’s dive into how these two companies were able to create a sense of purpose for their employees.

^{Source 1, Source 2}

Today’s Poll 📊

This Week: Get Certified at HR Katalyst 2.0 🏅

Join us for an enriching experience at HR Katalyst 2.0, brought to you by Keka. This is more than just a summit; it's a transformative journey in the HR landscape with the bonus of earning a valuable certificate.

Today’s Reads

• Do you check in with your employees? Read this article to see how formal quarterly check-ins boost employee engagement. 🗒️

• Have you or are you planning to experiment with a 4 day work week? Get access to the Learnings from Companies at the Forefront of Work Time Reduction report. 📚

• Time to plan this year’s holiday party! Read up on some fun remote holiday party ideas. 🎄

Bye for now - more tomorrow!