Inject purpose into the job

Today, I'm speaking at a job recruiting event for my good friends at Career Builder. I'm talking abou the importance of social responsibility and purpose in retaining and motivating talent. To illustrate its long term truth, I'm telling the Christopher Wren story. Here's a video, where you can check it out too. Talk to your boss about this and make sure you are giving your people an opportunity to build a cathedral -- not just make a living.

Comments

[Blast my Resume Free]

Nice video.Thanks for the story Tim, it is VERY powerful.

[Tom Hood]

Tim,

Great post and thanks for researching the origins of the "cathedral story" - I have used it and never knew the "real story". You are dead right about the Power of Purpose. I am also excited to see a post from CPAs and how they are using Purpose - I am impressed!

The other reason (not that you need any more) is that Gen X & Y both want purpose and meaning in their jobs and lives. A recent study by the AICPA showed that the number 1 reason Top Talent stays with a CPA firm is a meaningful Mission and Purpose.

Great story!

Tom

[Howard Cox]

Tim,

I love this story and will pass it on down the line. It reminded me of a post on my blog from May 5th of this year and I wanted to reproduce it here for your readers.

It describes an exercise I use with my clients to create, communicate and indoctrinate purpose within their organizations.

The Five Purposes Tool

A great exercise you can use in defining your mission is the Five Purposes Tool. I have used it successfully at both Somerset CPAs and Mann Properties. It is based on Rick Warren’s book “The Purpose Driven Life.” In this book, Pastor Warren provides a template of our five purposes here on this earth and in this life.

My thought was that it would also make sense that there would be five purposes to be at work (five purposes to be a family member, etc.). I followed Rick’s template and secularized the purposes. So you can get a feel for the process, the following are the five purposes that I proposed for the team members at Somerset CPAs:

To work as a partner with our clients to define and then achieve their goals; to be passionate about the success of our clients.

To create a viable, sustainable community rather than merely a workplace.

To debate, define and document our core values and governing principles, and then to indoctrinate and exemplify them.

To serve the whole by doing our part and value each other’s differences, thereby creating a synergistic team where 1 + 1 = 11.

To feed the family by spreading the word so we can continue to attract and retain the best team members and clients.

Completing this exercise will help you focus and communicate your mission.

Thanks again for the story Tim, it is VERY powerful.

Howard

[Shama Hyder]

This is a great video and story Tim!

Where did you hone your speaking talents?