A purpose-driven workplace is of utmost priority for employees in a post pandemic world
William Clement Stone, an author, a successful businessman and philanthropist once said, “Definiteness of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.” Without a sense of purpose, it’s difficult for any individual to add meaning to their life- be it professional or personal. Purpose and meaning in the workplace have increasingly become a demand among modern employees in recent years. Ask yourself this question. How would you describe a company which makes you feel more like an admirer and less like only an employee? What sets apart a firm that has less of a “workforce,” and more of a community working mutually towards something greater? A definite answer to these questions, across various industries all around the globe, is “purpose.”
There are several factors that contribute to this surge in demand for a purpose driven work life. One of the main reasons is that a huge part of our identity is our work identity. Another important aspect is that many people are experiencing less meaning in the work they do, even though they are in positions they always wanted. It is crucial that employers listen to their employees to manage their expectations. Purpose at work is beyond just regular engagement. It is the devotion, the commitment, the pride, and the overall emotional connection an employee feels, when they identify their own principles in the company they work for. Purpose is no longer a luxury for people who were able to find their "dream job.". It has become a vital aspect that influences the decision-making for both companies and potential employees.
The COVID-19 pandemic has encouraged businesses to re-evaluate their employee policies and move towards a more purpose led culture. Millions of workforces have adapted to working from home and some have taken up new and unfamiliar roles to support the vulnerable and local communities. Workplace relationships have quickly become more personal, with the domestic world being a constant background to our daily work life. Employers now have a chance to reimagine work and the workplace as a much more human and purposeful experience. Employers must reaffirm their vow to society and the environment and provide employees’ work a larger meaning. The pandemic has taught us that we can make the world kinder. Having seen and experienced what is possible, existing, and future employees will expect and demand this behaviour to remain.
According to me, a purpose-driven workspace is one where employees can be seen, heard, and contribute. It is where we harness our shared differences to leverage one another’s visions to become more innovative in creating products and solutions for the betterment of the society at large. Purpose-driven businesses pledge to supplementary objectives, such as building a diverse workforce.
It is important to value employees for their exclusive skills, experiences, and perceptions they bring to the table. Employers must work uninterruptedly to help bring out the best in all their people, offering prospects for development and forming an environment of mobility within the company. We focus on offering a workplace that’s great to be in and to be from. It becomes critical for businesses to make their purpose clear to each employee. It helps in embracing and empowering employees to showcase that same purpose in their own projects.
Every business will have to find its own unique solution to warrant a higher order of productivity by enabling a cultural atmosphere that assures productivity. Business leaders and talent managers will need to show empathy and be considerate of the needs and preferences of workforces to optimise productivity and engagement at all levels. Starting from leaders to front-line associates, everyone will have to put in extra efforts to reinforce mutual trust, display flexibility and inclusiveness, and establish a productive workplace that has a collective purpose.