Knowing your own individual strengths, core intrinsic motivators, or your purpose is beautiful, but…the true power lies in the collective set-up: the team, the community, the family.
Unfortunately many teams (if professional or personal) are running on an unproductive autopilot. A modus operandi where individualism prevails or is dominated by the “loudest” extroverted member. Where collaboration is forced and silo-thinking and internal competition is the norm. Where team members feel scared to voice their opinions and rather choose to remain silent (as anything they say might be used against them and their careers or social status later on).
So what can be done with such toxic set-up with the power of purpose?
Imperative’s research proves that purpose enables you to unite teams, enhance collaboration and create psychological safety and an inclusive environment for your team. It shows, that purpose accelerates the impact made, being reflected in team’s performance and profits earned as a bonus.
So how can you truly unleash the full potential of your team using purpose?
#1 PROJECT / TASK SOURCING
By understanding your team’s purpose drivers and Who they seek to impact, Why and How, you can assure you have the right people in the right role. You can use this invaluable information to assign people to specific projects, supporting your team members in taking on tasks and roles that match their purpose profile. You will not only enhance the fulfillment of your team members, but you will be much more likely to see better quality results, faster progress made and greater work flow.
#2 STRENGTH & RED FLAG SPOTTING
Next, you will be able to see what are your team strengths and what potential threats can your team fall victim to. You will be able to spot and eliminate your team biases and identify minorities not based on gender or cultural background, but based on purpose. It will give you a clear roadmap to actually use your team strengths to multiply your accomplishments and co-create strategies to address the red flags as a team.
#3 TEAM BRIDGING
Also, it will allow you to drive innovation as you will engage in bridging, encouraging your team members to share their own unique perspectives, spot creative solutions and alternatives, and cherish everybody’s differences. It will give you a chance to empower the diversity of your team, connecting it continuously to its shared team purpose. As a team leader you can make all team members aware of their differences, showing them how to respect them and use them in a complementary way towards greater impact.
#4 TEAM BONDING
Finally, purpose is seen as the “glue” for team bonding, allowing team leaders to build strong tribes, based on integrity and trust. It will allow you to bring people unified in their purpose together. It will allow you to adapt your communication style and language to create one that resonates with your team. It will allow you to set up purpose-led mentoring, matching mentors and mentees based on their purpose rather than their gender, skin color or only the field of expertise.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Which out of the four should be the priority bringing most value? Which one is from your own experience most difficult to achieve and why?
NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
Take action to create a purpose-driven team and assure your team members are in the right roles and assigned to the right projects. Make sure you identify your team strengths and potential red flags. Drive innovation by team bridging, encouraging every team member to value their own insights and ideas and those of others. Glue the team together, uniting it around purpose. Create a team where every individual feels heard, empowered and fulfilled.
MORE PURPOSE
If you are interested in the research behind and more information on the main purpose drivers, get your copy of the Purpose Economy written by Imperative’s founder Aaron Hurst himself.
For more information about Fortuny’s work around Purpose for individuals or organizations, read on here.
