What I’ve seen
We’ve all seen it and even felt it. So many issues in our lives, business or ‘personal’ (by the way, the best business IS personal!), stem from either a lack of clarity of purpose or a lack of connection with it. And conversely, the best places to work, the most fulfilling moments in our lives, the times when we were at our most productive, have clear direction and strong personal connection.
Do any of these ring a bell?
We’ve all seen it and even felt it. So many issues in our lives, business or ‘personal’ (by the way, the best business IS personal!), stem from either a lack of clarity of purpose or a lack of connection with it. And conversely, the best places to work, the most fulfilling moments in our lives, the times when we were at our most productive, have clear direction and strong personal connection.
Do any of these ring a bell?
Misaligned teams: Working in different directions, different beliefs about whats important, what success looks like etc
Low engagement: People doing their job ‘well enough’ but its all a bit flat Lack of Clarity: Lots of projects, lots of people doing ‘interesting stuff’ but poor focus Low Collaboration: Those who don’t see the bigger picture are often blind to how others can help them achieve Truth is in the corridor: The ‘real conversations’ often happen after the meeting, by the water cooler. |
Alignment: Everyone clear on what they are doing and why. Differences get thrashed out. Low tolerance of cynicism
High engagement: Tangible energy. People really feel they make a difference so they put in the effort. Its personal Clarity: Everyone knows what we do, why we do it, how we do it and what we are going for. Its clear what/who fits and what/who doesn’t The buzz of co-creation: Collaboration, when its not ‘forced,’ is usually faster, better and invariably bigger! Truth is in the room: You find a way to be open and honest at all times, bring emotion into the workplace and confront hard truth |
So Connecting on Purpose means being very good at 3 things
1. Really clarifying your ambition, your aspiration
2. Making it practical, active, part of your daily life
3. Staying ‘in touch’ with it, keeping it ‘live’
Clarifying
Spend time articulating what it is you are up to, the outcomes you want, the vision that will guide you.
Make it
Worthwhile – will it make a positive difference?
True to you – does it reflect whats important to you and about you?
Compelling – Would you chuck off the duvet or pop the alarm onto snooze?
I’ve worked with clients on this at multiple levels
Organisational: Why the organisation exists, its ambition (beyond making money)
Teams or departments: What unites us, what do we collaborate on, what do we create together and why
Processes: Defining the vision or processes such as strategy, communication, recruitment, innovation, leadership development and organisational change
Big events, small meetings: A short time clarifying and aligning up front saves a lifetime in aimless meetings or ‘death by powerpoint ‘ conferences!
Individuals: What impact would you really like to make in work and in other aspects of your life?
Spend time articulating what it is you are up to, the outcomes you want, the vision that will guide you.
Make it
Worthwhile – will it make a positive difference?
True to you – does it reflect whats important to you and about you?
Compelling – Would you chuck off the duvet or pop the alarm onto snooze?
I’ve worked with clients on this at multiple levels
Organisational: Why the organisation exists, its ambition (beyond making money)
Teams or departments: What unites us, what do we collaborate on, what do we create together and why
Processes: Defining the vision or processes such as strategy, communication, recruitment, innovation, leadership development and organisational change
Big events, small meetings: A short time clarifying and aligning up front saves a lifetime in aimless meetings or ‘death by powerpoint ‘ conferences!
Individuals: What impact would you really like to make in work and in other aspects of your life?
Make it Practical, active
Forge as many connections as possible, creative actions that keep you ‘on purpose’ in your daily life. These might be
Personal actions
Work Projects
Ways of behaving
Mindsets, ways of thinking
Relationships you develop (and those you drop!)
Communication
A great way to think about this is 'Big Picture, Little Deeds', where the big picture is the purpose and ambition you have and the little deeds are the multitude of actions, large and small, that bring it about.
Forge as many connections as possible, creative actions that keep you ‘on purpose’ in your daily life. These might be
Personal actions
Work Projects
Ways of behaving
Mindsets, ways of thinking
Relationships you develop (and those you drop!)
Communication
A great way to think about this is 'Big Picture, Little Deeds', where the big picture is the purpose and ambition you have and the little deeds are the multitude of actions, large and small, that bring it about.
Staying In Touch
Recognising when you are on or off purpose and thinking/acting accordingly.
This is hard yards this bit! It’s about...
Relentless Alignment: recognising when an action, a person, a project or a piece of communication is straying ‘off purpose’, and correcting it
Inner Mastery: You will intuitively know when something is a ‘hit’ or a ‘miss’. Its your ability to pause, reflect and then choose that will keep you ‘in touch’.
Fast Action: Dwelling destroys energy, both yours and those around you
Recognising when you are on or off purpose and thinking/acting accordingly.
This is hard yards this bit! It’s about...
Relentless Alignment: recognising when an action, a person, a project or a piece of communication is straying ‘off purpose’, and correcting it
Inner Mastery: You will intuitively know when something is a ‘hit’ or a ‘miss’. Its your ability to pause, reflect and then choose that will keep you ‘in touch’.
Fast Action: Dwelling destroys energy, both yours and those around you
These three ‘skills’ are an on-going endeavour for individuals, the teams you are part of and the organisations that you run. My experience is that it’s best not undertaken alone. The most stretching and compelling results come when you have a creative coach with you, because at different times you need...
Challenging, pushing, pulling, inspiring, picking up, re-directing, fresh eyes, guiding, leaving alone, congratulating, reminding, facilitating, driving and re-energising.
Challenging, pushing, pulling, inspiring, picking up, re-directing, fresh eyes, guiding, leaving alone, congratulating, reminding, facilitating, driving and re-energising.
