It wouldn’t surprise you to know that employees with a strong sense of purpose are likely to be not only happier but also more effective, more productive and more results orientated.
Professionals who have a well considered purpose are extremely valuable to organisations. So in that case why are organisations that follow a strong senses of purpose so scarce?
There are lots of reasons really. Poor leadership, shrinking budgets, inflated demands all contribute to the loss of purpose. A really big factor that I have noticed over the years is time,. Having worked in retail for years I have seen the pressure time creates on leaders with senior executives wanting a quick win, this ultimately drives the incorrect behaviour and will cause long term problems.
A culture devoid of purpose and long term thinking will ultimately create demotivation and disengagement of the workforce.
For everyone to be at their best, it’s important to encourage every individual on your team to stay connected to their sense of purpose. Here are some ways to make it happen:
Make It Personal
Purpose cant come from a directive approach, it has to be felt. Its not enough to talk about it. You must show it and live it every day to set the tone. Like all of my blogs on leadership I describe how it all starts with you! If you don’t understand your own style or behaviour well enough then you will have no hope of setting the tone in your team.
Connect To A Greater Good
For people to feel a sense of pride in what they do, they need to know that they are making a difference in the lives of others. If you can connect the success of your organisation to the benefit of community at large, to show how it serves a greater cause, people will find not only pride but also a meaning in their day to day work.
Offer Frequent Recognition
Give people frequent recognition for the work that they do. Its really important that you show how what they are doing contributes to the greater goals of the organisation. When you do this successfully, people feel valued and connected, and as a result want to do more and more.
Promote Self Development
When you provide opportunities for ongoing training and development, both professionally and personally, you energise people and set them up for long-term success. Investing in your team is an effective way to keep them motivated, loyal and connected to a sense of purpose.
Spread Positivity
To deepen connections between your team and the people they’re serving in their work, encourage group or individual involvement in a volunteer project—ideally one related to the work you do. For example, if you work for a publisher, look for a program working with adult literacy or children’s reading. Encourage mentorship and shared expertise, too. As a bonus, the bonds between team members will be strengthened as well.
Focus On Purpose
When you have a strong focus on your leadership and purpose it becomes internalised, and in time grows to become embedded in the workplace culture.
For your team to know who they are and how they make a difference it all starts from understanding yourself first. Take a look at this article to understand further how to do this.
Purpose is a great word and has an even better meaning. It is truly about serving and benefiting others. If you only keep that in mind you will add a great benefit to the teams you lead.
Additional reading you might enjoy;
- 7 Quick Ways To Make Happy Employees As A Leader.
- Toxic Leadership, How To Not Fall In The Trap?
- How To Survive As A Retail Leader In 2020?
- How To Be An Expert Listener? Tips A Great Leader Can’t Do Without
- How Important Is Development & Progression To Senior Leaders?
- How To Prioritise Your Time As A Leader?
- How True Leaders Inspire? 5 Principles You Absolutely Need
- How To Understand Leadership Models? 7 New Types For Innovative Thinkers
- How Do You Improve Productivity As A Leader?
- How To Develop Assertiveness As A Leader?
- Why Is Image So Important ? How To Create A Powerful Brand
- Does Your Leadership Style Scare Your Employees?
- How To Successfully Implement And Sustain Change
- How To Delegate For Success And Empowerment?
- How To Network Effectively? Tips That Will Make You Shine
- How To Develop My Emotional Intelligence As A Leader?
- How To Lead In Tough Times? 4 Amazing Principles
- How To Influence Upwards
Hi! I`m Chris Webb, I live in the South East and started Leaders Retail Consultancy in 2019. Before freelancing, I was a senior retail leader for a number of the UK’s top retailers gaining experience over 23 glorious years. When I am not coaching I enjoy spending time with the family or in the gym.
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