25 Oct The Power of Purpose at Work

Over the last several months, we have gathered some of the top HR and culture leaders for monthly dinners Industry Nights to forge meaningful connections, share fresh perspectives, and tackle the toughest challenges shaping the future of work.

During one recent evening, we invited 20 executives to discuss the power of organizational purpose. This post explores some of the key insights and action items that emerged from this dynamic community of leaders. Enjoy!

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The Purpose of Work Matters

After 12 years of helping some of the world’s biggest companies with transformation and change, one thing has become clear. How we work matters. In fact, we believe an organization’s ability to transform how they work in the next few years is going to make or break its success in the next few decades.

The truth is, companies have no shortage of big ideas, new technologies, or unmet customer needs to pursue. What is actually blocking growth and innovation for most large organizations are the organizations themselves. How most companies lead, communicate, organize, collaborate, and prioritize are still mostly based on outdated industrial models.

Purpose at Work: From Theory to Reality

Purpose is more than a buzzword. When done right, it fuels engagement, drives performance, and sets organizations apart. But, it’s tough to make purpose tangible, especially when the pressures of business seem to demand quick wins over long-term thinking.

HR teams are often positioned right in the intersection of strategy and culture. Needless to say, it can be a lonely place. But, you don’t have to go it alone. Here are three critical areas where HR leaders should focus.

1. Purpose-Driven Leadership: Walking the Talk

Purpose starts at the top. If leaders don’t model purpose in their daily decisions and actions, employees won’t see it as real. Leadership alignment around purpose is non-negotiable for making it meaningful.

Action Items:

• Ask leaders to identify a recent decision where purpose was a driving factor and share it with their teams.
• Run a leadership audit. Evaluate whether actions and decisions across the team align with the organization’s stated purpose.
• Host purpose workshops to help leaders define their personal connection to the organization’s mission.

2. Purpose as a Driver of Workplace Engagement: Make it Personal

Employees need to see how their work connects to the bigger picture. Bridging the gap between organizational purpose and individual purpose is key to driving meaningful engagement.

Action Items:

• Create personal purpose maps where employees articulate how their role connects to the organization’s purpose.
• Hold team discussions where managers ask employees how they derive meaning from their work.
• Launch a mentorship program that pairs purpose-driven leaders with employees seeking clarity on how their role matters.

3. HR as Purpose Stewards: Accountability Matters

HR plays a critical role in holding the organization accountable for living its purpose. This requires honesty, empathy, and deep business understanding.

Action Items:

• Conduct a purpose alignment audit to identify where the organization is falling short in delivering on its stated mission.
• Facilitate cross-functional discussions that explore how each department contributes to organizational purpose.
• Set up quarterly purpose check-ins where HR leads evaluate progress on embedding purpose in business operations.

More on the Power of Purpose at Work

Making purpose real means embedding it in every level of the organization. With focused leadership, personal connection, and accountability, HR can drive purpose to the forefront of business success.

We’ll be sharing some additional insights and resources on this topic to help spark dialogue and action within your team. And if you have specific topics you’d love to see us cover in future dinners and newsletters, please reach out!

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This article is part of our series on HR, change and transformation. Check out past issues, and sign up for our newsletter to get future issues sent directly to your inbox.