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Executives Can Enable Meaningful Work AND Affect the Bottom Line
Posted by: Carolyn Purcell | Posted on: January 25th, 2012 | 3 Comments
I recently read the McKinsey Quarterly article How Leaders Kill Meaning at Work . I was intrigued that this article connects and addresses two of the most significant challenges and frustrations I’ve observed and experienced within organizations with multiple layers of leadership: 1) a clear disconnect that often exists between business executives and those who work and serve in the “trenches” to implement their strategies and 2) a tangible purpose and meaning to work that seems primarily driven by the bottom-line. Senior executives have the ability to improve employees’ inner work lives, enable meaningful work and, by extension, positively impact the bottom line.
tom read -
January 25, 2012
great post!
Randy -
January 25, 2012
Working in a small family owned business, which by the way, I am in no way related to, seem to have similar issues. It appears that ego’s play a large part of the dysfunction in addition to poor communication. Information travels primarily in one direction, from the top down. The people actually doing the work are not consulted about the process unless a major problem develops. This leads to leaders being reactive to issues as opposed to being proactive. How can leaders be effective if they do not understand the process?
Carolyn -
January 26, 2012
Hi Randy – Thanks for your reply. I agree, small companies are not immune from these issues. Company leadership sets the tone for communication flow and information exchange within the company and with clients. If this isn’t done well, company culture and transparency will suffer. To your point, leadership must also remain engaged enough to ensure proactive, relevant decisions and strategies that appropriately direct the work’s efficacy and employee purpose and satisfaction.
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