Connected Workers Commit
Unfold more meaning in your work to win at work without sacrificing your values
Here’s a true story about a colleague who had identified and prioritized his personal values (his unique motivation code), and how that self knowledge saved him from a potential professional disaster.
Paul, a colleague who is passionate about environmental conservation, told of the excitement he felt when invited by a legal firm who specialized in Environmental Law, to discuss a possible consulting contract. He envisioned the positive impact the partnership could have on the application of environmental legislation within the nation.
Imagine his horror when, at their first meeting to explore how they might work together, he learned that the focus of their firm was to find loop-holes in environmental legislation in defence of their clients. He declined their invitation, of course.
Can you imagine the scenario if he had not been 100% certain of his motivation code? If he had not been true to his personal values?
What if he had convinced himself that he needed the contract for financial reasons and decided to go ahead? How soon would he have experienced the first symptoms of stress? How soon would he have started coming home from work with feelings of anger and resentment, and directed those feelings towards his wife and kids? How soon before he could barely get out of bed to face another day working on that project? How soon before he was in full burnout … weeks, months? You get the picture …
We can avoid burnout by being very clear about our personal values and not engaging in work that has little or no meaning for us.
Meaning arises from values alignment
If you believe that your work contributes something of worth to an organization that offers a service or product that you value to the community, then you are likely to experience your work as meaningful and satisfying. In other words, values alignment creates a feeling of connection to the mission of your employer and your colleagues.
A healthy sense of meaning, along with a high level of engagement, plus a customer service focus, are three key indicators of high professional performance.
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Customer focus
My next post will reveal why your focus on customer service will help you to win at work.