“I’m stuck,” Maggie lamented as she sat across the table from me with her well-read copy of The Purpose Project. “I’m about to take on a new role in People and Culture and I want to inject my own sense of purpose into it but have no idea how.” “Tell me everything that matters to you (and bothers you) about the role and your company,” I responded. After 15 minutes, Maggie finally landed on what … [Read more...]
Could a Sense of Purpose solve Depression in your Workplace?
According to SANE Australia, one in five people take time off work each year for depression, anxiety or stress. At the same time, Gallup results show that 87% of the world’s workers are either disengaged or actively disengaged at work. And it seems that these tragic statistics are not abating, that they’re in fact, getting worse. Might the billion-dollar solution to these problems be to provide … [Read more...]
Purpose: Take the heat off yourself.
“My boss keeps asking me what my Purpose is,” said Jane who’s been an Executive Assistant for five years. “She wants to know what I’d do if I could do any job and wasn’t her EA. I’m grateful she cares, but it’s making me really anxious because I have no idea. What should I do?” “How would you score yourself between 1-10 with one being totally ‘off Purpose’ and ten being totally ‘on Purpose’ in … [Read more...]
Purpose: Like a fresh water spring
This year I’ve been working closely with two companies on their new Purpose initiatives. Company one, a small Australian bank with 150 employees, is undertaking the creation of a new Purpose statement as the foundation for moving the company forward. Company two, a global retailer with over 13,000 employees, is undertaking a plan to make their new global Purpose meaningful and actionable in their … [Read more...]
The CEO who Cried.
“What really matters to you, and why?” I ask looking straight into the clear grey eyes of John, the 61-year-old CEO of a major finance company. I wonder if he’s ever been asked this before or if he’s ever privately pondered it. Shifting uncomfortably in his chair and looking everywhere but straight back at me, I can tell he’s challenged by the question. “My wife and kids matter to me. Providing … [Read more...]