Why Do We Work? It’s Not What You Think
Work is a part of being human. It’s easy to think that we work simply to earn a living. But work is much more. Work is one of the ways we make a difference and help make someone else’s life a little better.
Work provides us with the important opportunity to use our gifts. It’s a place we can shine and be respected and accomplish something that matters. That sense of accomplishment puts joy in our hearts and a kick in our step.
We work because that is what humans have always done. Stories of children from wealthy families who never have to work struggle to find meaning in life and often instead find it in drugs, alcohol, sex, and selfishness.
All of us, especially leaders, easily forget the meaning that work has to others. It’s much easier to understand the meaning it has to us personally. We rather easily know if we find our work satisfying and if it holds meaning.
Sadly, in most workplaces, people are not afforded the latitude and respect humans need and deserve. Too often people are simply seen as tools to get something done. Too often we use old ways of thinking about people to shove them into some narrow little slot that seriously limits their value.
As leaders we have no greater responsibility than to create a place where people can express their gifts – a place where people can make someone else’s life a little bit better.
As a leader it is easy to think that you do this. But unless you are regularly amazed by what your people are doing to make your business successful, than you are not creating those opportunities your people deserve.
If you remember that we work because we want to put our talent to work helping others, then as a leader creating opportunities to make a difference should be your primary focus.
[...] revolution. ← Put Your Best “I” In Team: How to Be a Great Team Member Part I LinkWhy do we work? It’s not what you thinkBy John Bernard in July 12th 2012 No Comment » Filed Under [...]
John,
You are so right about this. The meaning of work is so central to a person’s identity! A leader who does not appreciate and respect that a person’s dignity, identity, meaning is defined in their work is missing a key ingredient of leadership. Thanks for this important reminder.
Ed
You are most welcome, Ed!
Excellent post. I am with you 100%. As I see it, what we do needs to flow from who we are. Our work needs to be in alignment with and an expression of who we are. In turn, what we do should enrich who we are. When this is all in place it creates a cycle of growth. It’s a leader’s responsibility to ensure it is. As you put it well, “As leaders we have no greater responsibility than to create a place where people can express their gifts – a place where people can make someone else’s life a little bit better.”
Thank you!
http://cybuhr.com/2012/03/25/dooby-dooby-be-do-be-do/
Great post. As a tangent, there are few things more dehumanizing and demotivating in the workplace than when project managers refer to people, real human beings, as “resources”. As if we are nothing more than a line item in a Gantt chart, an interchangeable cog in a machine, or some commodity that’s bought and traded in a marketplace.
It is true that it gives great satisfaction if it helps someone’s life better because of the task we do. The word task itself limits (I may be wrong) the impact beyond the scope of task done as a checklist activity. Using our conscience & available experience, we can try to minimise error though trying to work as error free planning can continue to guide though it gives lots of pressure. Thanks for the lovely article.