The average CEO might equate salary, bonuses, and foosball tables with employee happiness, but the reality is that perks and pay aside, employees flourish most when they find meaning in what they do. In fact, meaningful work can help motivate employees and increase overall workplace satisfaction and efficiency.
According to the Brookings Institute, three innate psychological needs — competence, autonomy, and relatedness — enable employees to experience purpose in their careers. Unfortunately, the average worker still feels their work is only “about half as meaningful as it could be,” according to the Society for Human Resource Management.
If you want to help your team find purpose in what they do, here are five ways to cultivate a meaningful work environment.
Find Your “Why”
Meaningful work requires purpose. Knowing your “why” — why the company does what it does, but also why your employees do what they do — gives team members a reason beyond a paycheck to get out of bed every morning and come to work.
Facilitate regular team discussion that explores the benefits that your company provides for others. The more you and your team see how your roles within the company matter to your customers, the more you’ll understand each other’s goals, dreams, and values and the more meaningful work will feel.
Facilitate Connectedness
A meaningful work environment cares about its employees and how they interact with each other. Build social time into the fabric of your team meetings and workplace; spending time with colleagues reinforces connections between one another and contributes to better teamwork.
Most importantly, show your curiosity. Curious leaders help their teams find meaning at work by exploring, asking questions, and facilitating professional communication.
Understand the Client’s Challenges
The more your team understands the client’s problems and needs, the more they will feel committed to helping them. Meaningful work comes from feeling a connection to the customer, whether that be by gaining insight into the target client or, depending on your field, actually meeting clients face to face when possible.
The better employees are able to empathize with the clients and their challenges, the more invested they will be in the process of solving their problems and creating success for the company.
Prioritize Growth
The opportunity for growth is essential for long-term team loyalty. Make sure to provide meaningful work experiences to help your employees expand their skills and explore areas of interest within the company. Review their goals with them regularly to ensure you’re on the same page and that they feel supported in their professional growth by their leader.
As vital as it is for you to help your team share their goals and prioritize their growth, an authentic leader doesn’t just delegate. Don’t be afraid to share your own goals and shortcomings with your team. Two-way communication creates trust, openness, and a mutually accountable team.
Amplify Your Values
Although most companies today have mission statements, many don’t actually live by their values day to day from within the organizations. Values that guide everyday actions are invaluable in making employees feel like they’re part of something bigger and creating a more meaningful work environment.
Cultivating a strong organizational culture is a great first step in defining your company’s core values. It’s crucial, though, that they be embraced from top to bottom. The more you highlight team member behaviors and connect them to your values, the more you attribute meaning and ensure your employees feel a sense of purpose in their roles.
While bonuses and foosball tables certainly don’t hurt, I encourage all leaders to help their employees find meaning in their work. The end result is a more productive and cohesive workplace filled with satisfied team members.
How do you plan to cultivate a meaningful work environment for your team? I invite you to share your ideas for making our work more meaningful.