”We are what we do to change who we are“
Eduardo Galeano
In times when there is so much talk about purpose at the organizational level, we can see that only a good statement of purpose is not enough. Even if this is shared by all the members of the organization, we may not finish trying to make it a reality… To prevent it from becoming a dead letter or a more or less attractive slogan that attracts the attention of potential clients, it is vital to be aware that everything we do has a meaning.
Determining this meaning, from a collective point of view, has become the leitmotiv of many organizations that want to become “something more” than an income statement and a balance sheet, offering the people who compose it an ulterior motive that can only be achieved by all of us and that generates an impact that goes beyond the mere transaction of products and services.
At this point, it is important to reflect on some elements that characterize, from my most personal point of view, what it is to have a purpose:
- It is significant: A solid purpose has a deep meaning and a clear relevance for the people in the organization and other stakeholders.
- It is oriented to generate a high (positive) impact: A good purpose is focused on generating a positive impact on society, the environment or the lives of people. It goes beyond business objectives and seeks to contribute to the general well-being or address a problem important to many.
- It is inspiring and challenging: An effective purpose captures the imagination and passion of the people within the organization, establishing an end, in many cases aspirational, that drives the organization to improve itself and constantly seek higher stages of development.
- It is authentic, genuinely reflecting what the organization aspires to be and how it behaves in practice, in a daily display of consistency with the organization’s values and identity.
- It is long-term, going beyond short-term objectives and fluctuations in the environment, providing a solid and lasting foundation for strategic decision-making, especially in uncertain times.
- He is a mobilizer and unifier, capable of aligning and coordinating the efforts of the people in the organization towards a common goal, creating a sense of belonging and teamwork.
- It is measurable, making it possible to break it down into objectives and tangible results, which makes it possible to assess progress and the impact generated, adjusting strategies and actions accordingly.
However, having a purpose (focusing on what really matters) without passion (the heady feeling you get when moving into action where everything flows) avoids connecting the two things that are key to making a real impact.
I really like to locate the purpose in that world of ideas, in that aspirational universe, which we will probably never reach, and place the passion in the world of action, of implementation, of the path that has already begun. to go Transformation does not occur only with the purpose, we need passion to advance, step by step, in our day to day, in these small goals that we are reaching, paying special attention to small details, the true secret of excellence, in any of its dimensions.
Let’s move forward each day with a meaningful purpose in mind, but let’s not forget passion in everything we do because that will be the true sign that we act under principles that go beyond ourselves.
