How the Workplace Can Help Employees Find Purpose

Providing a sense of direction, alignment, and commitment, purpose gives many a reason to wake up in the morning. It guides behaviors and decisions, helping individuals stay focused on achieving their goals. Purpose is described as the expression of meaning, and it can be found in various aspects of life. For many, work is a primary source of meaning, making the workplace a significant contributor to their overall sense of purpose and well-being. When individuals understand their purpose and can act in alignment with it, they tend to be happier and healthier than those who lack such clarity or aren’t operating within their purpose.

When individuals know their purpose, they tend to lead more authentic and genuine lives, which allows them to engage in healthier behaviors such as managing stress and sleep more effectively, incorporating regular physical activity, and completing preventive health exams, according to Psychology Today. These habits lead to improved mental and physical health outcomes, including a reduced risk of dementia, heart attacks, and strokes.

In the workplace, when employees are aligned with their purpose, their work often feels more meaningful, inspiring more engagement, enthusiasm, and drive. This can lead to the following:

• Happier employees—Contributing to increased job satisfaction, stronger morale, and reduced turnover rates.
• Improved performance—Supporting greater engagement and productivity.
• Enhanced organizational culture—Fostering an environment where shared values encourage collaboration and trust.
• Increased innovation—Creating space for new ideas and calculated risk taking to foster creativity and growth.

However, when someone is not aligned with their purpose, the search for it can sometimes lead to what is known as “purpose anxiety.” This refers to a state of anxiousness or discomfort experienced when individuals struggle to identify or live out their purpose. Those struggling with purpose anxiety may experience symptoms such as depression, isolation, self-doubt, low confidence, lack of motivation, and heightened stress and anxiety.

Some research suggests that the drive for purpose is innate. Given this, and recognizing how so many place deep importance on their work, a compelling question arises: How might the workplace help employees connect their work to something more meaningful?

Below are a few simple strategies worth considering.

Clearly define and communicate your organizational mission. Ensure employees understand its meaning and relevance. Guide them in recognizing how their individual roles contribute to the broader mission. When developing or reviewing your wellness strategy, align it with the mission, embedding purpose into your approach to enhance well-being and foster a more meaningful, connected workplace. Furthermore, when crafting your operating plan and integrating your mission into your wellness strategy, consider referring to Benchmark 4 of the 7 Benchmarks™ framework for a well workplace for guidance and best practices.

Create a culture of purpose. Defining and communicating your mission is essential to helping employees understand your organization’s purpose and find meaning in their work. However, the work doesn’t end there. For a true cultural impact to take hold, the message of purpose must be consistently reinforced and regularly heard by employees. Team meetings, employee recognition, and ongoing communication efforts are ideas to reinforce purpose in the workplace. Regularly reminding employees why their work matters and how their efforts contribute to the larger mission can help keep purpose embedded in the culture.

Identify individual goals. For some, personal development can be a key driver of purpose. Supporting employees in setting goals related to their roles can deepen their understanding of their individual impact within the organization. Additionally, taking the time to learn what matters most to employees helps them feel valued, recognized, and genuinely considered. When setting goals, it’s equally important to identify and leverage each employee’s unique strengths to support both engagement and growth.

Lead by example. Leadership support is a fundamental component of any successful wellness initiative, and a major factor in it is leading by example. When employees see leaders setting goals that align not only with the organization's mission but also with their own sense of purpose and personal meaning, it can empower employees to search for a similar drive and fulfillment.

In addition to enhancing happiness and supporting both physical and mental well-being, research suggests that having a clear sense of purpose can increase longevity. By taking actionable steps to integrate purpose in the organization’s wellness strategy, you can create meaningful impact, not only for employees, but for the long-term health and success of the company as a whole.

Resources:

7 Benchmarks: A Framework for a Well Workplace

Benchmark 4 Toolkit: Crafting an Operating Plan

Wellness Defined: Wellness at Work  

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  Ashton DeMoss

  Wellness Content and Information Specialist

  IFEBP

  As a Wellness Content and Information Specialist at the Wellness Alliance, Ashton is passionate about supporting employee well-being and advancing workplace wellness initiatives. With over 12 years of experience as a certified health coach, Ashton has worked extensively in the worksite wellness sector, empowering individuals and organizations to prioritize health and create sustainable wellness strategies. Outside of work, she enjoys group exercise classes and participating in a monthly book club to nurture both her physical and mental well-being.