The Importance of Meaningful Work
Imagine how enjoyable it would be to start your day knowing your role has been designed around the things you truly enjoy and are passionate about. In this way, work is more than just a job – it’s something you’re excited to do. It’s like having a hobby or sport, something that you are so passionate about that you could spend every minute of the day doing it, simply because it makes you happy.
When people are engaged in something they love, they give it their all – because their dedication, strengths and enthusiasm will drive them to unlock their full potential. The same principle applies to your team. Having work that aligns with their passions and strengths, fosters greater autonomy and trust, allowing them to thrive and deliver exceptional results.
Why Passion Matters: A Broader Perspective
Fine turning roles within the workplace doesn’t take away the hard work, effort and commitment required to achieve company goals and success. However, by incorporating more meaningful work – and a little play – jobs can become more enjoyable and fulfilling.
As highlighted in a 2018 Harvard Business Review article on employee development, “9 out of 10 people are willing to earn less money to do more meaningful work”. New research further emphasises that employees seek greater satisfaction beyond just financial compensation, highlighting the importance of purpose and engagement in the workplace.
As a leader, it’s important to recognise if an employee begins their career at age 22 and retires at 65, they will spend approximately 43 years in the workforce. With such a long career ahead, it makes sense to consider how roles are designed to align with both professional goals and personal purpose. By fostering this alignment, employers can ensure that employees remain engaged, fulfilled and motivated throughout their careers, leading to long term success, retention and job satisfaction. Thoughtful role design isn’t just about immediate productivity – it’s about supporting personal growth and fostering a lasting sense of purpose that benefits both the individual and the organisation.
The key lies in aligning what you need from your employees with what they’re passionate about, creating a workplace where motivation and productivity naturally thrive – I call it a win/win outcome.
Empowering Teams with Autonomy
A key approach to ensuring employees are engaged in the work they enjoy is to provide them with a framework that empowers them to make effective decisions.
Managers encourage teams to use the principle of “eliminate, delegate, or automate” when evaluating tasks. First, assess if the task can be eliminated entirely. If not, delegate it to someone who enjoys it or outsource it. Alternatively, explore automation, especially for repetitive tasks, as there are often more efficient, tech-driven solutions available.
Investing in training and development helps employees build skills in areas they are passionate about, fostering growth and engagement. Recognising and rewarding their achievements not only boosts morale but also opens up potential for career advancement opportunities.
By maintaining a strong organisation culture, designing roles that promote internal growth and prioritising training and development, companies can nurture exceptional talent and create a pipeline of leaders. This approach ensures valuable employees are retained and developed, rather than lost to external opportunities.
Meeting Accountability: The Role of Regular Check-ins
The biggest challenge is ensuring that accountabilities are consistently met. This can be achieved through regular check-ins with managers to track progress toward team goals, as well as by reviewing and adjusting position descriptions periodically to support growth and evolving responsibilities.
Real-World Impact: The Cost of Unfulfilled Roles
According to the Australia Bureau of Statistics, in February 2024, 2.1 million people had left or lost a job in the previous 12 months. Of those, nearly one third made a decision to leave their job to obtain a better job or just wanted a change. This highlights the importance of ensuring that roles align with personal aspirations – because when people feel disconnected from their work, they are more likely to seek out new opportunities.
“Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do.”
— Steve Jobs
Reflect on this:
Which would you prefer?
- Having to encourage people to take a break because they’re so immersed in the work they love; or
- Finding ways to engage your people and get them motivated to show-up to the job each day?