I have previous posted on The Importance of ‘Know Why’ over ‘Know How’ talking about the need for organisations to focus on creating shared meaning and purpose, rather than focusing primarily on creating know-how. Tom Peters has posted an article by Chris Nel who has a similar concern for the lack of purpose in organisations, he says:
“As the father of a three-year-old boy, I dread the day he announces that he wants to invest his talent, time, and energy into—a large corporation. I believe that ‘large’ is doomed to mediocrity not due to size, but because of the inherent inability of ‘large’ to generate a strong sense of common purpose in the organisation beyond making money for its stakeholders.
I believe that we as humans search for a meaningful purpose in everything we do. We are at our very best when we find it. My simple business hypothesis is based on the fact that when humans are at their best (i.e., are purposeful) they run/work in extraordinarily successful businesses. So it turns out that the leader’s primary job is not to be a clever strategist or a brilliant technician (let alone control freak) but to help people find a clear sense of purpose (not revenue targets!) in the work that they do. Profit will follow from this, not lead it”
I agree with Tom’s view that “we as humans search for a meaningful purpose in everything we do“. This belief was strongly presented by Victor Frankl, who spent many years as a Jew in German concentration camps, such as Auschwitz and wrote about his experience psychologist in his ground breaking book “Man’s Search for Meaning“, where he argues that “man’s main concern is not to gain pleasure or avoid pain but rather to see meaning in his life.” Victor Frankl was able to find meaning, even in the setting of a German concentration camp! How much more should we be able to find meaning in our organisations?
Leaders as facilitators of meaning and purpose
Chris goes on to discuss the responsibility of leaders to create meaning and purpose…
“As a leader you have to be a self-starter on purpose. Finding meaning where none is apparent. You can’t inspire unless you are inspired. So, if you are not inspired it’s your duty as a leader to discover it or disappear.
If you can’t/won’t do this, the vacuum of purpose caused by your poor leadership will be rapidly filled with the self-interested behaviour of those around you. Their purpose at work becomes self-promotion by playing the corporate game. Winning looks like promotion/pay raises. Their colleagues become “the enemy.” Their boss (you) becomes a gatekeeper to be manipulated. (When did you last hear the unvarnished truth from them?) Talking a good game, burying the truth, diverting blame, not making the decision, exercising the power of the org chart, etc., etc.”
Consider your leadership, are you creating sufficient meaning and purpose within your sphere of influence? Are you talking responsibility to ‘be a self-starter on purpose’?
Technorati Tags: Purpose, Meaning, Management, Vision, Leadership, Business
Related posts:
John Riley
Pablo
uberVU - social c...
Atsu23 (Atsu Sakaki)
Calvin Bacon
Cassandra
Christine Polewar...
dagnabbit_ (auburn)
davidburkus
donna wells
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
This is a very good perspective and angle when approaching leadership! Thanks for the post!
It also reminds me of Peter Senge and his thoughts on a meaningful life and making work-life and “normal”-life as one life by finding meaning in what we do. Thus finding our “calling” and with this be motivated and inspired in what we do.
Hopefully more people see this happening in their life as the technology facilitates mobility and flexibility enough that we can work wherever, whenever and in many situations with whatever we want. At least many of us are lucky enough to have found one of those paths to walk upon.
Thank you for the text . some of us are born to lead.Nobody will tell you that you are leading if you don’t know that. A leader makes a difference.
cheer