what is your contribution?

At find my niche, we believe work should be energising and meaningful. Dr Simon Albrecht*, an internationally renowned expert on employee engagement, defines meaningful work as when “people feel they make a positive, important, and useful contribution to a worthwhile purpose through their work”.

Being connected to a worthwhile purpose is a critical element of being engaged at work. I recall participating in numerous workshops at Zoos Victoria (many years ago) discussing our core purpose, our vision, and our mission. Zoos Victoria’s mission is to “galvanise communities to commit to the conservation of wildlife and wild places”. Zoos Victoria’s vision is to be the world’s leading zoo-based conservation organisation. As part of that vision, Zoos Victoria is committed to fighting extinction locally and globally. If you visit Zoos Victoria, that purpose is clear throughout the presentations, interactions and signage. I think it is no coincidence that so many people dream of working at Zoos Victoria. People want to work somewhere that makes a difference—somewhere that has meaning.

When I worked at the Australian Crime Commission, again there was much discussion about the core purpose of our work. The ACC’s mission is to “reduce the impact of serious and organised crime on Australia and the Australian economy.” People work at the ACC because they are passionate about that purpose and they feel they personally contribute to the mission.

SEEK is a thriving Australian business that has a compelling purpose: to help people live more fulfilling and productive working lives and help organisations succeed. I really like that (and it reminds me of my personal purpose). I also really connect with their promotional campaign with the motto of ‘make it count’.

What does the organizational purpose mean for us as individuals? We stay with an organisation because we see how our work is connected to a bigger purpose. We feel we are making a difference. And effective CEOs share good news stories with their staff that demonstrate how this purpose is being achieved. They also talk about how the work of teams contributed to these achievements.

Many of us spend hours helping to articulate the mission of our organisations. But how much time do we spend thinking about our personal mission? Our personal contribution?

Perhaps the closest we come is when we prepare our resumé (or when we have a mid-life crisis!). You may have a ‘Career Objective’ at the top of your resume. Mine used to read: “To influence strategic direction and foster the development of a learning organisation that attracts, retains and develops talented people, whilst increasing individual and organisational effectiveness”. Maybe a bit convoluted, but it was true!

Starting your own business really focuses you on understanding what you want to achieve and why you are doing what you are doing. Even the most seemingly routine business may have a higher purpose. For example, a dog poo clean-up business may have a purpose to give people more freedom in their lives, or more time to spend with family and friends.

After much thought, my personal mission and that of Find my niche is “to help people understand their strengths, and be engaged in and inspired by their work.”

This mission guides my work and influences my choices. How can I help people understand their strengths? How can I help people use this knowledge to be engaged at work? Is that opportunity aligned with my purpose?

So, what about you? Why do you do what you do? What is your personal contribution? And what difference do you make, or want to make?

Take some time to reflect on your personal mission. It doesn’t have to be lovey-dovey. It doesn’t have to meet with other people’s approval. It doesn’t have to change the world. But it needs to be motivational to you. What drives you to do what you do?

P.S. If you would appreciate some help, the Find my niche book provides a guide to working out what inspires you and what value you provide. It is available from my online shop (as well as Amazon, Booktopia and Barnes and Noble), and as an ebook from iTunes.

P.P.S. Thanks to Jess of Essentially Jess for hosting IBOT (I blog on Tuesdays).

*Dr Simon Albrecht is my PhD supervisor

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