02/13/2024

Focus on Purpose and Meaningful Work to Boost Engagement

Meaningful work increases attitudes like job satisfaction and enjoyment

Today’s employees are hungering for purpose and meaningful work in record numbers. Given that we spend nearly one-third of our lives at work, it’s no surprise that people view it as a significant component in their quest for a sense of purpose in life. McKinsey found that 70 percent of people define their purpose through work, and half of US employees are reconsidering the work they want to do because of the pandemic. Gartner found half of respondents questioning the purpose of their day-to-day job and 65 percent rethinking “the place that work should have in my life.”

 The pandemic accelerated the focus on employee engagement and its connection to purpose. Ten years ago, Gallup released its first report, driving a global conversation about engagement and why it matters. The data on employee engagement is robust: engaged employees are unquestionably more satisfied and productive, stay longer, and even act as brand ambassadors. Further, disengaged employees do a lot of damage because their cynicism and poor performance can impact coworkers and customers.

Engagement is an outcome or effect, not the cause. A sense of purpose or meaning at work is the real driver, fostering engagement, which drives the outcomes (productivity, retention, etc.) that leaders crave.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Training Magazine.