Purpose, Meaning, and Passion (HBR Emotional Intelligence Series)

1. Purpose is built, not found: Actively create meaning in your work

"Purpose is a thing you build, not a thing you find."

Shift your mindset. Rather than searching for a pre-existing purpose, focus on actively creating meaning in your current role. This approach empowers you to find fulfillment in various jobs and industries.

Practical steps:

• Identify aspects of your work that contribute to others' well-being
• Reframe mundane tasks as part of a larger, meaningful goal
• Seek opportunities to apply your strengths and passions within your current role
• Regularly reflect on how your work aligns with your values and aspirations

2. Multiple sources of purpose exist: Embrace diverse areas of fulfillment

"Most of us will have multiple sources of purpose in our lives."

Expand your perspective. Recognize that purpose can come from various aspects of life, including work, family, community involvement, and personal interests. This holistic view reduces pressure to find a single, all-encompassing purpose.

Areas to explore:

• Professional achievements and career growth
• Relationships and family responsibilities
• Community service and volunteering
• Personal hobbies and creative pursuits
• Spiritual or philosophical beliefs
• Health and well-being goals

3. Purpose evolves over time: Adapt your sense of meaning as you grow

"The sources of that meaning can and do change over time."

Embrace change. Understand that your sense of purpose is not static but evolves with your experiences, values, and life stages. Regularly reassess and adjust your goals and priorities to maintain alignment with your current self.

Strategies for adaptation:

• Conduct periodic self-reflection on your values and aspirations
• Seek new challenges and learning opportunities
• Be open to career transitions or role changes
• Cultivate relationships with diverse groups of people
• Stay curious and explore new interests outside of work

4. Connect daily tasks to a larger mission: Find purpose in any role

"Even ordinary, incremental progress can increase people's engagement in the work and their happiness during the workday."

Reframe your perspective. Regardless of your position, find ways to connect your daily tasks to a broader, meaningful goal. This mindset shift can transform even seemingly mundane jobs into purposeful work.

Techniques to apply:

• Identify how your work contributes to the organization's overall mission
• Focus on the positive impact your role has on colleagues, customers, or society
• Set personal goals that align with larger organizational objectives
• Seek opportunities to innovate or improve processes within your role
• Regularly communicate with team members about the importance of your collective work

5. Progress in meaningful work drives motivation and performance

"Of all the things that can boost emotions, motivation, and perceptions during a workday, the single most important is making progress in meaningful work."

Prioritize progress. Recognize that making headway on important tasks is a powerful motivator. Create an environment that facilitates consistent progress and celebrates achievements, both big and small.

Ways to foster progress:

• Break large projects into manageable, actionable steps
• Set clear, achievable goals for each day or week
• Regularly review and acknowledge progress made
• Identify and remove obstacles that hinder advancement
• Provide timely feedback and recognition for completed tasks

6. Managers play a crucial role in fostering purpose and progress

"By supporting people and their daily progress in meaningful work, managers improve not only the inner work lives of their employees but also the organization's long-term performance."

Empower your team. As a manager, focus on creating an environment that supports progress and meaningful work. This approach not only enhances employee satisfaction but also drives overall organizational success.

Key managerial actions:

• Clearly communicate the larger purpose behind projects and tasks
• Provide necessary resources and remove obstacles to progress
• Offer regular, constructive feedback and recognition
• Foster a culture of learning and growth
• Encourage autonomy and ownership of work
• Address setbacks with a problem-solving mindset

7. Small wins matter: Celebrate incremental achievements

"Even small wins can boost inner work life tremendously."

Acknowledge progress. Recognize that even minor advancements can significantly impact motivation and engagement. Create a culture that values and celebrates small wins alongside major milestones.

Strategies to implement:

• Establish a system for tracking and sharing daily or weekly accomplishments
• Incorporate brief team celebrations for completed tasks or project phases
• Encourage team members to share their own small wins
• Use visual aids (e.g., progress boards) to make incremental progress visible
• Reflect on small wins during performance reviews and goal-setting sessions

8. Articulate your personal purpose statement: Define your unique contribution

"Your leadership purpose is who you are and what makes you distinctive."

Craft your statement. Develop a clear, concise statement that captures your unique strengths, passions, and the value you bring to your work and life. This statement serves as a guiding principle for decision-making and goal-setting.

Steps to create your purpose statement:

1. Reflect on your core values and strengths
2. Identify recurring themes in your life experiences
3. Consider the impact you want to have on others and the world
4. Draft a concise statement (1-2 sentences) that encapsulates your purpose
5. Test and refine your statement with trusted friends or mentors
6. Regularly revisit and adjust your statement as you grow and evolve

9. Create a purpose-driven organizational culture: Align individual and company goals

"Our purpose is to wake you up and have you find that you are home."

Foster alignment. Build a company culture that emphasizes purpose and meaning, connecting individual roles to the broader organizational mission. This approach enhances employee engagement and drives collective success.

Strategies for implementation:

• Clearly articulate and communicate the company's mission and values
• Encourage employees to develop personal purpose statements
• Align individual goals with team and organizational objectives
• Create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration and learning
• Recognize and reward purpose-driven behaviors and achievements
• Regularly share stories of how the company's work impacts stakeholders and society

10. Reimagine and reinvigorate your mission: Continuously evolve your purpose

"Make TOMS a movement again."

Stay dynamic. Regularly reassess and refresh your organization's purpose to maintain relevance and inspiration. This ongoing process ensures that your mission remains a driving force for both employees and customers.

Steps for reimagining purpose:

1. Conduct periodic reviews of your organization's mission and impact
2. Seek input from employees, customers, and stakeholders
3. Identify emerging societal needs or challenges your organization can address
4. Explore new ways to leverage your core competencies for positive impact
5. Communicate changes and reaffirm commitment to purpose across the organization
6. Align business strategies and decision-making with the evolved purpose

Last updated: August 13, 2024