Purpose-Driven Work Practices

It’s not the raise that makes them stay. It’s how they’re treated every day. I’ve been studying cultures that retain high-potential employees - especially women - for over a decade. And here’s what I’ve consistently observed: It’s not perks or policies that keep people. It’s how safe they feel to speak. How seen they feel in their work. And how connected they feel to a purpose that matters. Here are 8 practices I’ve seen in workplaces where people actually love showing up: 1. 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝘁𝘆 People aren’t happy where they don’t feel safe. Make it okay to speak up, make mistakes, and be human. ✨ FACT: Teams with high psychological safety are 76% more engaged and 50% more productive. (Gallup, 2022) *** 2. 𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 - 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 Recognition isn’t just for outcomes. It’s for effort. It’s for momentum. ✨ FACT: Progress on meaningful work is the #1 motivator for employees. (HBR, “The Progress Principle”) *** 3. 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝘆 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 Freedom thrives when paired with purpose. Give people space to choose how they work - within clear, values-aligned boundaries. ✨ FACT: Autonomy is one of the top three predictors of job satisfaction. (Deci & Ryan, Self-Determination Theory) *** 4. 𝗘𝗻𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 - 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗥𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 Let people shape their roles around their strengths and curiosity. Purpose isn’t one-size-fits-all. ✨ FACT: Employees who find meaning in their work are 3x more likely to stay. (BetterUp, 2018) *** 5. 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗮𝘂𝗹𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝘆 Assume good intent. Offer support freely. Kindness creates psychological surplus - and happier teams. ✨ FACT: High-trust cultures lead to 106% more energy and 76% more engagement. (HBR, “The Neuroscience of Trust”) *** 6. 𝗡𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸-𝗶𝗻𝘀 Ask: “How are you, really?” Creating space for emotions builds trust, resilience, and deeper connection. ✨ FACT: Companies with emotionally intelligent managers experience employee retention rates up to four times higher than those without. (Engagedly) *** 7. 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 - 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗱 Challenge people to stretch - but with care. Sustainable growth is fueled by purpose, not pressure. ✨ FACT: Employees who feel they’re growing are 3.6x more likely to be engaged. (LinkedIn Workplace Learning Report, 2022) *** 8. 𝗠𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗹𝗲 Connect the dots between what people do and why it matters. Help them see their impact. ✨ FACT: 9 out of 10 employees would trade money for meaningful work. (HBR, 2018) *** A paycheck may get people in the door. But, culture is what makes them stay. And culture is a conscious choice. Which of these feels most alive - or most needed - where you work? 🔁 Repost to help create workplaces led by compassion. 🔔 Follow Bhavna Toor for more on conscious leadership.

Innovation for the sake of innovation is boring. True innovation when you can build products with purpose and impact. Building purposeful products that address the toughest social impact challenges in the world is hard but can be the most interesting to Product Managers who love solving tough problems. They also set themselves apart from the rest. 📣 How can PMs differentiate themselves as purposeful PMs? ➡️ Deeply engage with your customers to understand their needs, challenges, and aspirations. Understand the context they live in and the broader social impact needs of the community. ➡️ Ensure your product goals align with broader social impacts. Consider how your product can contribute to societal well-being. ➡️ Design for diversity by making sure your products are accessible and usable by people of all backgrounds and abilities. ➡️Go beyond traditional metrics and measure impact. Evaluate the social and environmental impact of your products alongside business performance. ➡️ Work closely with teams across the organization to integrate purpose into every aspect of the product lifecycle. ➡️ Continuously learn about new technologies and methodologies that can enhance your product's positive impact. ➡️ Champion ethical practices in product development, from data privacy to fair labor practices, ensuring integrity in your process. ➡️ Foster a culture of purpose across the team to embrace a purpose-driven mindset, making it a core part of your company culture and daily operations. ➡️ Build relationships with communities and stakeholders to understand their perspectives and incorporate their feedback into your product development. ➡️ Promote sustainable development by creating products that contribute to environmental sustainability, reducing waste, and promoting responsible use of resources. ➡️ Incorporate long-term thinking by assessing the long-term impact of your products, considering how they will evolve and continue to provide value over time for your customers, business, and the communities we operate in. #productmanagement #purposefulproductmanagement #socialinnovation #productleadership

When feeling the urgent pressure of new technologies, disruptive change and fast-moving markets, inspirational leaders focus on a surprising question: why does our organization even exist? It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of the latest tech or what the competition is doing, but deeply understanding your core purpose can cut away distractions, focus you on what matters and create a vision for what’s next. 1/ Start by looking at the very nature of your organization and strip away the packaging, pricing and delivery. Ask yourself: what unique role does this organization play in the world? Why do we exist, and what about that has remained consistent across our past and our present, and should inevitably drive our future? 2/ Craft a vision for the future that is disrupted by change but grounded in purpose, envisioning how the world will continue to rely on our existence, as needs are timeless. Resist picking specific technologies, products, packages or solutions that this value is embedded in, because these are not timeless. 3/ Engage your organization in using this purpose to inspire what might be next. Ask yourselves, what are other ways that we may fulfill our purpose beyond what we’re doing today? What are the different shapes, business models, packages or delivery vehicles that might look different but magnify our purpose? Which of these might help us not just survive, but thrive in a future shaped by disruption and new technologies? Look closely at organizations that have thrived through previous disruptions to recognize how this successful pattern of returning to their purpose has fueled success. Take Disney - an organization that has embedded magical family experiences through immersive storytelling into everything it does (its purpose), whether it’s hand drawn animation, theme parks or CGI. The core idea here is to resist simply reacting to markets or chasing trends, but rather to follow purpose-driven innovation: getting inspiration from how we reimagine ourselves to reinforce our reason for existing, not distract from it. #LIPostingDayMay

Busy isn't what burns us out. Meaningless does. We've all been there... The calendar's packed. The checklist's full. The days blur. And yet, the exhaustion doesn't come from the hours. It comes from doing too little of what actually matters. 📊 Recent research reveals: • Meaningful work drives 4x higher engagement • Increases retention 2.x (McKinsey, 2023) When our days are filled with misaligned work, burnout shows up faster no matter how skilled or passionate we are. So how do we change it? We build purpose into the rhythm of work. Not once a year at an offsite. But daily. 🎯 Team Strategies That Work: 1. Impact Fridays ↳ Schedule 2-hour blocks for teams to share real user impact stories 2. Purpose Mapping ↳ Start meetings by connecting tasks to mission 3. Meaning Metrics ↳ Track purpose markers monthly: • Customer testimonials • Mission milestones 💡 Individual Power Moves: 1. Task Crafting ↳ Redesign 20% of your role around strengths 2. Legacy Hours ↳ Block 30 minutes weekly to mentor others and share learnings 3. The 3P Method ↳ Plan: Set clear intentions ↳ Purpose: Link to bigger picture ↳ Proof: Capture the impact ✨ Pro Tip: The 5-Minute Purpose Pause Take a moment each morning to write: "Today's work matters because..." Because when people feel connected to what they're doing... they don't just perform. They thrive. How do you bring more meaning into your work or team culture? Drop a thought below. ♻️ Repost to help others in your network. 🌠 Follow Holly Moe for more insights on purposeful leadership.

'Follow your passion!' they said. 🎯 Worst. Career. Advice. Ever. Here's what actually works: I've reviewed thousands of careers over the past decade.  The happiest professionals?  They didn't 'follow their passion.' They built their purpose. ❌ THE PASSION TRAP: Passion is a feeling. Feelings fade. • Love photography? Wait until you're shooting toothpaste products at 3am • Passionate about writing? Try cranking out 10 SEO posts daily on plumbing fixtures • Dream of helping people? Even social workers have mountains of paperwork The passion-first mindset ignores reality: → Bills don't care about your dreams → Passion without skill = frustration → Excitement without market demand = unemployment ✅ THE PURPOSE FRAMEWORK: Stop asking: 'What am I passionate about?' Start asking these 4 questions: 1️⃣ WHAT SKILLS DO I HAVE THAT CREATE VALUE? • What comes easier to you than others? • What would colleagues miss if you left? 2️⃣ WHAT PROBLEMS ENERGIZE ME? • What inefficiencies drive you crazy? • What challenges feel worth tackling? 3️⃣ WHO DO I WANT AROUND ME? • Fast-paced innovators or steady builders? • Small tight teams or large diverse groups? 4️⃣ WHAT LIFE AM I BUILDING? • 70-hour sprints or work-life integration? • High risk/reward or steady progression? 💡 PURPOSE LOOKS LIKE THIS: 'I use my analytical skills to help healthcare companies make data-driven decisions that improve patient outcomes.' 'I leverage my design talent to help small businesses look professional and compete with bigger brands.' Notice what's missing? Butterflies. Rainbows. 'Never working a day in your life.' Notice what's present? Clarity. Direction. Sustainable satisfaction. 📊 THE REALITY CHECK: Purpose-driven professionals: • Stay 3x longer in roles • Report higher life satisfaction • Build transferable skills Passion-driven professionals: • Burn out when excitement fades • Job-hop seeking the 'perfect fit' • Miss skill-building opportunities 🎯 BUILD YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT: 'I'm using my skills in [X] to help [Y people/companies] solve [Z problem].' That's it. No drama. No destiny. Just direction. ⚡ THE DAILY TEST: Purpose isn't about loving every moment. It's about knowing WHY you're doing the boring stuff. • That spreadsheet? It helps your team make better decisions • That difficult client? You're solving real problems • That early morning? You're building something meaningful Passion says: 'This should feel amazing!' Purpose says: 'This feels worthwhile.' One sets you up for disappointment. The other sustains you through decades. Build a purpose-driven career with the right tools → https://lnkd.in/eGbtuACr #CareerPurpose #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #JobSeekers 👍 To let me know purpose beats passion. ♻️ Reshare to help someone stop chasing butterflies. 🔔 Follow me for more job search & resume tips.

You’d think we'd have the purpose part wrapped up as nonprofit leaders. But we do sometimes take that piece for granted. But purpose isn’t just about having a mission. It’s about making sure everyone knows where they fit in it. Because when people don’t see how their work connects, their day-to-day can become just a series of tasks. Meaning drains out, and burnout fills in. The fix? Help people see how their work moves your mission forward. You can build clarity of purpose into your culture with small, repeatable actions: • 𝗗𝗼𝗰𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 → Write what success looks like for each position, not just tasks, but outcomes. If you get stuck here, try this: Ask team members to write down: 1. One task they do regularly 2. Why it matters to the people you serve 3. What happens if it 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 get done • 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗱𝗲𝗰𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻-𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 → Use a simple RACI chart to show who’s Responsible, Accountable, Consulted, and Informed. For example, if you’re producing an annual report:   – The communications manager is 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘱𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦   – The executive director is 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦   – Program staff are 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘦𝘥   – The board is 𝘐𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘦𝘥 Everyone knows their role, and that builds trust. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 → For example, show how a Development Coordinator’s weekly tasks directly support your strategic goal to increase donor retention. • 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 → Open with a client story, a quote from a frontline staff member, or a small win that reflects your impact. • 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 → Don’t just assign a newsletter draft. Say, “This update is how we will connect our 1,200 supporters to our mission.” • 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 → Don’t wait for annual reviews. Use quarterly check-ins to keep people up-to-date on why their work matters. Purpose becomes powerful when it’s made visible. Where are you making that connection clear right now? And where can you make it stronger?

Your career will outlast every company you work for. Here's how to build a career around purpose instead of positions: The advice to avoid attaching yourself to external things - companies, people, projects - resonates because these things are temporary. Companies get acquired, managers leave, projects get cancelled. But your sense of purpose and mission can travel with you anywhere. That shift from position-focused to purpose-driven thinking looks like this: 1/ Define what impact you want to make in the world, not just what title you want to achieve. 2/ Develop transferable skills that serve your mission regardless of where you work. 3/ Build a professional identity based on the value you create, not the company logo on your business card. 4/ Network around shared interests and values, not just industry connections. 5/ Make career decisions based on growth opportunities and alignment with your goals, not just salary or prestige. 6/ Evaluate opportunities by asking "Does this move me closer to my purpose?" rather than "Does this look good on my resume?" When your identity is tied to external factors, changes feel like personal failures. When your identity is tied to your mission, changes become strategic moves toward your larger goals. The people who navigate career changes most successfully are those who see each role as a chapter in a larger story, not the entire story itself. What's the mission or purpose that guides your career decisions? ♻️ Repost if you found this insightful! 👊 And follow Ford Coleman for more like this.

🕯 Purpose is the New Paycheck: Why Purpose-Driven Workplaces Are the Future 🕯 In today’s rapidly evolving job market, one thing is clear: Purpose is becoming as valuable as a paycheck. More than ever, employees are seeking more than just a job—they’re looking for a sense of meaning, belonging, and alignment with their values. They want to be part of something bigger than themselves and contribute to a company that makes a real difference. I'm very fortunate to work somewhere that makes me feel like I'm part of something bigger than myself, and also that my actions and behaviors have an impact, and make a difference to our clients, our candidates, and our wider community, all things that matter to me. This connection helps me be more effective in what I do and honestly keeps me coming back for more, every day, every week! In my role here at HR Soul Consulting, I’ve also seen this shift firsthand. Recently, we've worked with a company struggling to retain top talent. While they had competitive salaries and great benefits, employees felt disconnected from the company’s mission. Through our efforts, we helped them articulate their purpose—one that centered on sustainability and community impact. This simple but powerful change ignited a renewed sense of pride among employees. They no longer saw themselves as just working for a company but as contributors to a greater cause. The results? Increased engagement, lower turnover, and a stronger, more connected workplace culture. Purpose-driven workplaces aren't just a trend; they’re a competitive advantage. When employees find purpose in their work, it boosts engagement, retention, and performance. It’s not just about what we do; it’s about why we do it. So, how can organizations build a culture of purpose? 📍 Define and Communicate Your Purpose: Go beyond mission statements. Purpose should be a lived experience that resonates with every level of the organization. 📍Embed Purpose into Everyday Work: Purpose shouldn’t be a poster on the wall—it should be a core part of decision-making, from strategic planning to daily tasks. 📍Empower Employees to Live Your Purpose: Encourage your team to bring their whole selves to work and create opportunities for them to contribute to meaningful initiatives. 📍Lead with Authenticity: Leaders play a critical role in modeling purpose-driven behaviors. When leaders are authentic and transparent, it builds trust and inspires others. Purpose isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the new currency of work. What steps is your organization taking to become a purpose-driven workplace? Let’s create environments where people feel inspired, motivated, and connected to a cause greater than themselves. #PurposeDrivenWorkplace #Leadership #CompanyCulture #EmployeeEngagement HR Soul Consulting

Today’s Tip: Living purposefully at work isn't just about finding a job you love (though that helps!). It's about bringing intention and meaning to any role. Here are some tips on how to cultivate a sense of purpose in your work: 1. Connect Your Work to the Bigger Picture: 💡Understand the "Why": No matter your role, understand how it contributes to the company's overall mission and goals. Ask your manager for clarification if needed. Knowing your contribution matters. 💡See the Impact: Look beyond your immediate tasks and consider the broader impact of your work. How does it benefit customers, colleagues, or the community? Even small tasks can have a ripple effect. 💡Find Personal Meaning: Connect your work to your own values and aspirations. How does your job allow you to express your strengths, learn new skills, or contribute to something you care about? 2. Focus on What You Can Control: 💡Master Your Craft: Focus on excelling in your role. Continuous learning and improvement can bring a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 💡Build Strong Relationships: Cultivate positive relationships with your colleagues. Meaningful connections at work can boost your sense of belonging and purpose. 💡Take Initiative: Look for opportunities to contribute beyond your assigned tasks. Proactively seeking out challenges and projects can add purpose to your work. 💡Control Your Attitude: Choose a positive and proactive mindset. Even in challenging situations, you can choose how you respond and find meaning in overcoming obstacles. 3. Inject Purpose into Your Day-to-Day: 💡Set Intentions: Start each day by setting a clear intention for what you want to achieve and how you want to approach your work. 💡Find Joy in the Small Things: Appreciate the small wins and moments of connection throughout your day. Celebrating these moments can boost your overall sense of purpose. 💡Give Back: Look for opportunities to help your colleagues or contribute to your team's success. Helping others can bring a sense of purpose and fulfillment. 4. Reflect and Re-evaluate: 💡Regular Reflection: Take time to reflect on your work and your sense of purpose. Are you feeling fulfilled? What changes can you make to bring more meaning to your work? 💡Stay Open to Change: Be open to new opportunities and challenges. Sometimes, finding your purpose at work requires stepping outside of your comfort zone. 💡Don't Be Afraid to Move On: If you consistently feel unfulfilled in your current role, it may be time to explore other opportunities that better align with your purpose. Always remember your "Why" beyond work by staying connected to your values. By implementing these tips, you can cultivate a stronger sense of purpose in your work, leading to greater job satisfaction, increased motivation, and a meaning.

If your team doesn't know why, they’ll never care about the how. Want a high-performing team? Start by making the purpose painfully clear. Because when people know why their work matters: • Motivation increases • Priorities sharpen • Collaboration improves (And the data backs it up: Teams connected to purpose are more productive, more resilient, and less likely to burn out.) But clarity requires intention. It’s your job as a leader to make the purpose unmistakable. Here’s how: 1. Connect the dots → Everyone on your team should be able to answer: “How does my work drive the mission forward?” 2. Repeat the why → Not just in all-hands. Say it in 1:1s, in reviews, as reasons for decisions. 3. Show your own belief in the mission → If you’re not visibly inspired by the work, don’t expect your team to be. Inspired teams don’t just build products. They build momentum. ♻️ Reshare to help others be better leaders. ➕ Follow me, Melody Olson, for tech leadership, AI & career insights.