Lost and Found at work

Recently, I had a phone conversation with a colleague about his business and client challenges. Brian's a management consultant who had just finished doing an extensive survey for one department of a very large, industry leading high tech company. He surveyed mostly middle or line managers and he uncovered some interesting findings.

Many of the men and women interviewed came up with the same or similar issues. You may have experienced some of the same type of work issues Brian uncovered.

Brian found:
=>Managers felt there were unclear expectations put on them.
=>They felt their work was poorly designed.
=>Their goals were unclear.
=>There was no sense of achievement or accomplishment in their jobs.
=>They didn't see any meaning or purpose in their work.
=>And #1, they really were not being challenged. They were not using their skills and abilities.

Brian and I spent quite a bit of time discussing these problems and their possible causes. To uncover a solution, it's important to get behind the symptoms so you can work with the cause of the problem.

After asking Brian some probing questions about his interviews and the people he had spoken to, we came to the conclusion most of them seemed to feel lost in their jobs. Somehow, along the way, this group of dedicated, hard working professionals had lost touch with the Senior Purpose of why they were doing what they do.

The term "Senior Purpose" relates to the big picture in your organization. It is the "why" you and your company are doing what you do. When everyone in the organization is clear about the Senior Purpose (especially the leaders), you can then all pull in the same direction.

A clear, understandable Senior Purpose (some people call this a Compelling Vision) is an excellent remedy to being or feeling like you are lost. It is your reason for being. The reason you are contributing your life force and energy to the job. If it's only about the money, you'll never really be happy.

When you know what your job is, you can consciously and unconsciously call on your strengths, abilities and creativity to accomplish it. This leads to a sense of utilizing your individual purpose. When personal purpose and organizational purpose come together, there is an alignment that happens. A feeling of WOW, I make a difference, I make a contribution! There is often a feeling of being inspired to accomplish (which is different from being motivated).

There is a sense of meaning and purpose to your actions. You are no longer lost because you know where you are going. You might not know how you are going to get there yet, but you know where you are going!

Part of the responsibility for some of the problems Brian uncovered may lie with the executives and supervisors, but really, we all have to take responsibility for our own understanding and success.

If you feel the expectations of your job are unclear or the goals are unclear, ask for clarity until you understand. You'll do a better job and at least you'll have a chance to get it right the first time. :-)

If you are undertaking this kind of restructuring in your organization, take heart. It took time to create these situations and it will take time and effort to correct them. The benefits are truly worthwhile ... energized, enthused and inspired colleagues.

When I ask people if they are responsible for creating their own success, about 98% say, "Of course." And then, it seems, when we get into some work cultures, we forget that and look for someone or something to blame for our situation.

Once Brian's managers take back ownership of their own success and establish ways to connect and contribute to the Senior Purpose of the organization, they will feel a lot less lost and will establish clear direction again.

Brian has lots of opportunities to work with the managers of his client company and help bring them into alignment with the business' Senior Purpose, realizing their own purposeful contributions. Brian is really good at his job and with the help of his own coach, will come up with appropriate programs to enroll these managers in their own success.

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Following up on the issues unveiled in Brian's survey, let's examine one of the issues.

If you feel your work is poorly designed, don't just complain about it, do something. By doing something I don't mean go tell your boss his or her system is dumb - that won't work.

Use your skills and knowledge. I suggest you make notes, investigate or develop a plan that you can show will make the job easier or faster.

When you can recognize and reveal the value of change, and then realize that value through your work, you will make a marked difference.

© 2000, Robert Knowlton

About the Author

Robert Knowlton is an Executive Coach.
Coaching in leadership development, advanced communications strategies, and realizing your purpose and personal vision. If you're ready to accelerate your growth and success, contact me today.

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