The influence of purpose

When did the world of work become so unsustainable for so many?

Some might say that it’s always been that way.

But I think I disagree.

The shape of the workplace is changing at an ever-increasing pace.

And we in danger of leaving ourselves and our humanity behind.

Work should be life-enhancing, not life-sucking.

Fulfilling and purposeful.

But it is for many transactional and functional.

Where swaths of people are clinging onto the edge of burn-out, feeling washed up, unworthy and exhausted.

The basics of decent workplaces practices are eroded.

Practices like transparent two-way communication and feedback, time to rest and recover in between meetings (call me old fashioned but I used call that a bathroom break), having your holiday days where you don’t have to be permanently attached to your email. 

We seem to just measure people on productivity.

And when they are not productive for every minute of the day, that is somehow a failure.

Productivity isn’t a human measure. Being constantly on isn’t healthy or sustainable.

And certainly not good fuel to help people thrive.

But purpose can be.

Purpose gives our work meaning, connects us back to our why and helps us navigate our way through tricky, ever-changing landscapes.

I am seeing many ambitious, creative leaders who have reached a level of success in their professional lives but are tired of living a life defined by antiquated, outdated thinking. 

Where their why isn’t connected to or acknowledge by the organisation they work inside.

A system that makes them shrink to fit it.

We have forgotten that workplaces should be human places.

And if we want to create change for ourselves and others, we must take responsibility to lead a better way.

A more sustainable way.

A way that empowers us as leaders to role model what we want for ourselves and help others do the same.

Let’s stop playing by the rules set by others. Allow our work to connect back to purpose, fulfilment and balance, and ironically in the process, we will likely become more productive.

Who knew?

With love,

Tamsyn x