How to channel a higher cause at work
Looking for a motivation reboot at work or ideas on how to be an inspirational leader? I’d recommend checking out Simon Sinek’s The Infinite Game.
Simon takes an opposing view to Milton Friedman, the economist who posited that business’ sole responsibility is making profit. Simon argues that in addition to making profit, organizations should provide broader value to society, namely:
Advance a PURPOSE: offer people a sense of belonging and a feeling that their lives and their work have value beyond the physical work
PROTECT people: operate our companies in a way that protects our workforce, our clients, and the work environment.
Generate PROFIT: money is fuel for a business to remain viable and to continue advancing the first two priorities
According to Simon, any leader who wants to adopt this infinite mindset of running a business or team must follow five essential practices:
Advance a JUST CAUSE: find a long-term cause the team can rally around
Build TRUSTING teams: trust is key for engagement and collaboration
STUDY your worthy rivals: keep tabs on your competition to understand the landscape
Prepare for existential FLEXIBILITY: The capacity to initiate an extreme disruption to a business model or a strategic course in order to more effectively advance a just cause.
Demonstrate the COURAGE to lead: The willingness to take a risk for the good of an unknown future. Just like CVS deciding to stop selling cigarettes, even though they knew it would piss off Wall St. (BTW, the stock price only took a brief dip before recovering and gaining.)
LEADERS especially must model the behavior they want to see, actively incentivize the kinds of behaviors that build trust, and give people the responsible freedom and the support they need to flourish in their jobs. It is a combination of what we value and how we act that sets the culture of a company.
CULTURE = VALUES + BEHAVIOR
If leaders place an excess of stress on people to meet the numbers, and offer lopsided incentive structures, they risk creating an environment in which near- term performance and resources are prioritized, while long-term performance, trust, psychological safety, and the will of the people decline.
Exhibiting the QUALITIES of leadership is what makes someone an effective leader. Qualities like honesty, integrity, courage, resiliency, perseverance, judgment and decisiveness. Ideally leaders would measure the inputs and the behaviors, rather than the outcomes.
It’s very common for people nearing the end of their corporate careers to start foundations or distribute their wealth to charity, working to fulfill a desire to give back and do something more philanthropic. But purpose is not something that we need only find after a successful career. There are ways to infuse higher purpose in our everyday lives and work.
Questions to ask yourself:
Am I just working for the money?
How might I change my mindset at work to fulfill a broader goal I have? E.g,. treating people well, inspiring others to give their best, etc.
Should I move on to fulfill my desire to work for a cause bigger than myself?
I’m here as a resource if you want to talk through your particular situation with a quick 20-min call. Interesting to note: about 50% of my coaching clients who originally wanted help finding a new career, end up renewed and remotivated in their existing role after a few coaching sessions. We look at how they are spending their time, what tasks they excel at, how they might improve their relationships with peers and their boss, and define their unique professional brand, leadership style, and goals.
Warmly,
Bijal
The intent of these emails is to provide different perspectives, ideas, and insights as you navigate the path forward for yourself, your team, your organization, and your family.
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Bijal Choksi, MA, CHPC, ACC