The move towards purpose and joy
There has been plenty written in the media about The Great Resignation, hybrid working and skills shortages. Yet, with so many angles and opinions on these topics, we find our discussions with candidates and clients of much greater value. What has become clear amongst senior leaders is the importance of purpose and joy in our work. After the past few years of isolation and burnout, people have changed and seek more from their work.
Many senior leaders are now looking for roles within companies that have a mission and culture that align with their own goals and values, rather than the wage inflation we are seeing, and bonuses offered to secure the best talent. So, how do we start to find purpose and joy in our work lives?
Purpose
The first step towards finding purpose in our work is understanding what is most important to us – what drives us. In Brené Brown's first episode of her Unlocking Us podcast this year, she focussed on how being clear on our values, and the behaviours that support them, can be a game-changer. She walked through the 'Living into our values’ exercise step-by-step, and provided a downloadable resource to record and keep your findings.
By understanding what underpins our feelings of purpose, we can then find the right company and role to align with our values. Download our ‘Career questions to ask yourself’ to delve further into what drives you.
Joy
A sense of belonging is now consistently highlighted as essential for a positive workplace culture. In a recent study, BetterUp found that, ‘Employees with a strong sense of belonging report a 56% higher level of overall job performance’. Belonging can be found through inter-personal links and connections e.g., kindness, generosity, and gratitude, providing a sense of well-being and joy in the workplace.
While remote working has challenged this sense of belonging, particularly during the onboarding process, a sense of trust and autonomy is important too. Finding a company that combines these ingredients (or whatever ingredients that are important to you) will ‘spark joy’ in your work environment, providing longer-term happiness in your role.
What is clear from our conversations with candidates and clients is that the next few years will be a time of further evaluation, taking what we have learnt from the last few years, and applying it in an intentional and meaningful way. Values, community, and collaboration will be key.
If you are ready to move towards the next stage in your career, please get in touch or connect with us/send a message on LinkedIn.
With warmest regards,
the Suzie Walker Executive Search team
Suzie Walker Executive Search is a firm of specialist headhunters with an expert team recruiting interim and permanent senior leaders for marketing and digital roles in consumer-facing FTSE 350 and private equity-backed companies. Find out how we can support you by connecting with a Consultant below.
