On average we dedicate 30% of our waking life to our job, investing a significant portion of our time and, consequently, our lives, in our careers. Yet so many people find themselves unhappy and unfulfilled in their roles. In this era marked by widespread workplace dissatisfaction, the pursuit of purpose, I am pleased to say, has emerged as a great remedy.
With a cross sector 30-year career in various social impactful roles or companies, I have led or been part of so many inspiring initiatives as well as helped advise many brilliant leaders too. Through helping others and from my own experiences, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of the support leaders need to drive greater impact within their current role or teams, or to transition to new opportunities that align with their purpose. This can happen within the same company or elsewhere, ultimately leading to greater social impact and, in my experience, reclaiming that spark of passion that might be missing.
To evidence base this finding outside of my own and my network’s experiences, I’ve explored some compelling statistics that highlight the stark contrast between the unhappiness often experienced at work, and the profound happiness that comes with finding purpose within or outside a company.
The Epidemic of Workplace Misery
Recent surveys and studies paint a disheartening picture of the modern workplace, with a significant portion of the workforce feeling disengaged and unfulfilled. According to The State Of The Global Workplace report, only 10% of employees in the Western Hemisphere are engaged at work and a staggering 85% of employees worldwide are disengaged, leading to decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and a pervasive sense of dissatisfaction that permeates workplaces globally.
I am with Forbes and is it that the “Great Resignation” is still with us long after the pandemic? And you may be interested to know that the second biggest reason for people leaving their jobs — nearly 20%, according to a this survey — is because they found a more “rewarding” position.so we have to look for solutions.
The Transformative Power of Purpose for People
Disengagement can be for a number of reasons, of course, but against this backdrop of discontent, purpose-driven organisations emerge as beacons of hope. Ipsos research found that “having a meaningful job/employment” was a key factor in happiness. So, as Forbes states, the Great Resignation may not be the right term for what’s happening. Workers aren’t necessarily quitting to do nothing, It’s more like a “Great Reshuffling.”
Studies consistently show that meaningful work, when a person’s contribution goes towards the greater good, has become one of the most sought-after qualities in a job, with a large proportion of individuals willing to sacrifice income and opportunities for advancement in favour of greater levels of meaningfulness.
In fact, BetterUp Labs found that Nine of 10 workers will trade money for meaningful work. In the USA, on average, they’d sacrifice 23% of their future earnings (an average of $21,000 a year) for work that is meaningful.
The Opportunity for Companies
The statistics surrounding workplace misery underscore the urgency for a paradigm shift and the opportunity is huge. According to a Gallup study, companies with highly engaged workforces outperform their peers by 147% in earnings per share. Engaged employees are 21% more productive than their disengaged counterparts and highly engaged businesses see a 41% reduction in absenteeism and a 17% increase in productivity.
This shift from misery to engagement not only benefits employees, but also provides a tangible boost to the bottom line.
And what to watch out for
However, a genuine commitment to purpose goes beyond superficial messaging. It requires authentic integration into the company’s values and practices as well as clear actionable plans for delivery. We all have to watch out for the danger of greenwashing, or superficially adopting a purpose-driven stance without meaningful action. To mitigate this, we recommend regularly reassessing and refining your company’s purpose to ensure it remains relevant and resonant with both employees and stakeholders.
The most important thing is to deliver outcomes. We need to cut the waffle and take the chat to a do tank not just a think tank. Leaders who champion and deliver against the company’s purpose create a ripple effect that amplifies the positive impact on the entire organisation and I have seen many a purpose led person “reshuffle” towards them like a northern star.
A Resounding Call for Change
The pervasive sense of misery in the workplace is a call to action for both individuals and companies. There are solutions and the numbers speak for themselves: a purpose-driven outcome based strategic approach can reverse the tide of dissatisfaction, creating workplaces and roles where teams are not just present but deeply engaged and content.
By navigating the opportunities and also the considerations mentioned with care, all organisations can truly create a sustainable impact through their purpose-driven activity. This means fostering workplaces where happiness and success go hand in hand and where all organisations can do well by doing good.
30% of our waking hours is simply too much time to be unhappy and I hope this article inspires people to think about how they can contribute to the greater good, and for organisations to consider how they can be matched with people who possess a strong, evidenced-based sense of purpose too.
Impact Match offers support to both organisations wanting to meet exceptional people, and individuals seeking to find and maintain their true purpose in life. We provide strategic advice, and can help you connect with your ideal match. Find out more here about how Impact Match can help and book a call if you would like to find out more.
Written by Leigh Smyth FRSA, Founder, Impact Match
