Purpose Identity Meaningfulness Satisfaction
Here’s my current way to think about the four related concepts of Purpose, Identity, Meaningfulness, and Satisfaction.
I find the delineation between Self (Corporate Strategy level) and Social (Job Roles level) particularly useful – separating Purpose from Meaningfulness has implications on role design and communications.
For an individual
|
Purpose |
Identity |
Meaningfulness |
Satisfaction |
|
What I am here to do. My life’s work. My reason for being. |
Who I am. What I am about. My passions. What makes me special and worthwhile. |
Meaningfulness: “[A job feels meaningful when we] generate delight or reduce suffering in others.” — Alain de Botton in The Pleasures and Sorrows of Work. |
Excellence, achievement, and recognition. “I have done well.” |
|
Individuality |
Contribution |
||
|
Self |
Social (self plus others) |
||
|
Internal beliefs |
External actions and outcomes. |
||
|
The big big picture. |
More focused/task-oriented. |
||
|
Whole of life. |
Jobs, projects, tasks, relationships, community, and other life activities. |
||
For a business
|
Purpose |
Identity |
Meaningfulness |
Satisfaction |
|
Our reason for existing as a business. |
Brand. Core value proposition. |
Create delight and reduce pain. |
Excellence, achievement, and recognition. |
|
Corporate strategy level |
Job roles level |
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|
Internal beliefs that informs strategy and other decision making. |
Operations, execution, outcomes, and social programmes. |
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