#Dispatch 004: purposeful

Being clear on your values and having a vision stands to benefit your work.

A few months after my move into the world of freelancing I was asked to put together a brief for a project to research how to increase sales of a sugary cereal marketed at kids.

Although this potential work was coming to me through a new client I was keen to impress and work with ongoing it did not sit well with me, being health conscious and a new mum myself.

Image by DesignDrawArtes from Pixabay

This incident solidified in my mind my need to focus on doing work that brings about positive change, and I continue to enjoy and reap the rewards of collaborating with those who share my values and mission.

I am far from the only one striving to do meaningful work. My research shows that 83% say it is important to have the opportunity to do so. However, only around a third feel they do have the opportunity to do so.

Source: My research

This desire to do meaningful work was amplified by the pandemic, when we found our work and home lives intertwined, and many took stock and reassessed priorities.

The extent to which doing meaningful work is prioritised, particularly by younger people, is exemplified by a survey referenced by Harvard Business Review in which,

“86% of young employees reported being willing to give ground on title and compensation to work at a business aligned with their values or mission.”

Business Coach, Kevin Appleby says,

“A shared set of values creates a cohesive and inclusive work environment where employees feel connected, respected, and supported.”

NESI Forum, who are working towards a more sustainable, fair and democratic working world, go as far as to work with organisations to,

“rethink jobs to express our full human potential and purpose at work.”

They advocate asking employees what is important to them, and then giving them opportunities to work towards something impactful that they believe in. In this way their potential can be maximised.

My research shows that those who feel like the work they do is meaningful are almost 3 times as likely to be motivated at work and they are also more likely to be productive and focused.

💡Case studies💡

⛰️ Outdoors brand Patagonia employ people who share their values and so will find enjoyment, fulfillment and ultimately be effective in working towards their mission of creating quality products while minimising harm.

🖥️ TargetProcess, a project management software company located in New York gives employees time away from their day jobs to learn and grow, and reports a more highly engaged workforce as a result.

💬 MC2, a Manchester-based communications agency is fully owned by its employees; they have a vested interest in shared future goals, opportunities to make an impact and as a result see financial success.

🍴Food for thought 🧠

❓How can you more closely align your personal values with your work?

❓Can you give those around you the opportunity to do work that is meaningful to them?

In the next dispatch I will be writing about slow productivity and how this can lead to producing more meaningful work.