I recently came across an interesting report that attempts to show the most and least meaningful jobs, connecting them to compensation. For example, it asserts ‘attorney’ as a high-paying but low-meaning profession, whereas massage therapists receive low pay but find high meaning in their work.
My questions with their methodology aside, I struggle with reports such as these. They attract attention, for sure: Wouldn’t you immediately look to see where your profession lies? But they consistently seem to gloss over one critical point:
Our work is as meaningful as we make it.
I’ve coached attorneys who clearly understand and value their role in making the world a better place. And I’ve worked with fulfilled massage therapists earning six figures.
Meaningful work is not something bestowed upon us or only inherent in certain professions. We assign the meaning to our work. As Richard Leider and David Shapiro eloquently state in their book Repacking Your Bags, “Calling isn’t our work, it’s what we bring to our work. It’s not what you do that matters, it’s how you do it.”
You can bring more meaning to your work starting right now. As a leader, you need to help your team discern their impact as well. Here are 3 ways to begin:
1. Connect With Your End User.
If you aren’t able to meet the people you serve – which is often the case – you might wonder how you make a difference. “I’m just a number cruncher in a huge corporation” one new client shared recently. Consider how you might connect with the community you serve: Could your organization host a simple Customer Appreciation Night? Could you volunteer to write a series of articles for your intranet newsletter highlighting success stories of clients, then interview them? Could you bring customer examples or testimonials into your meetings as topics for celebration and discussion? Even if you don’t meet your service recipients in person, you can connect with them.
2. Know Your Vision, Mission, and Values.
I recently led an organization to design their Vision, Mission, & Values statements and witnessed the employees’ deepened connection in the process. They lit up when prompted to explore examples of how they improve the world – and how they could do so on a larger scale. “I’m SO EXCITED about OUR VISION! The POSSIBILITIES!! To CHANGE THE WORLD!” wrote one employee (capitalization and exclamation points hers!) on her evaluation form. Connecting to the bigger picture makes a HUGE difference!
3. Help Someone Else Create Meaning.
Sometimes we’re just too close to our own situation. But in helping others discern the meaning of their work, we often find our own. Win-win.
Last year at Spark we engaged in a powerful ripple effect exercise, where I showed our Sparklers (attendees) the 7 levels of people impacted by their work – regardless of role, title, or salary. One of the greatest ways to bring more meaning to your work lies in understanding your ripple effect, an activity well worth a bit of reflection.
As Martin Luther King Jr. stated, “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?'”
When you know that, meaning and purpose at work – and in life – become clear.
Dr. Christi Hegstad helps you successfully do what you love! As a Certified Executive and Leadership Coach and the President of MAP Professional Development Inc., she coaches executives and leaders who need to get unstuck – whether in your leadership ability, income level, or from spinning your wheels in the day-to-day. Christi helps you flourish towards your purposeful vision with clarity, confidence, and meaningful action.
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Learn more about Dr. Christi and MAP Inc. at www.meaning-and-purpose.com, on Facebook, or via Twitter.