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In one corner, we have Profit; the other, Purpose: Friends or Foes? A People Management Perspective
- C. M. Rippey
- Oct 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Business is no longer about sheer profit, anymore. We've shifted toward purpose, like it or not. This shift, which began with Gen X and picked up momentum with Millennials, has become a central focus for Gen Z as they step into the workforce. These younger generations place a higher value on aligning their work with their passions, strengths, and deeper motivations—a trend that Baby Boomers, generally speaking, were not as focused on during their professional lives.
But is it important to have purposeful work over profit? Let's dig into it.
For decades in the 20th century, we entered the workforce where we were trained, managed, promoted, and ultimately retired without anyone advocating for our natural strengths to be used. Despite numerous development programs, business schools, and performance appraisals, the system failed to tap into what actually makes individuals thrive. In other words, the system failed to recognize what brings us purpose.
This realization should prompt a change in how we manage. It’s no longer enough to follow the HR-sanctioned performance reviews. Employees want to feel valued, not just for the work they do but for who they are. With our experience at The Giftedness Group®, we've seen that you're missing out on exponential growth if you ever think that more management is the answer to more performance.
Pro tip - instead of asking your employee during a review, "Why didn't you perform this quarter?" ask him or her, “What unique contribution do you like to have with your clients? Or in a meeting? Or with your coworkers?”
Identifying and nurturing these unique motivations—what we call “giftedness”—will lead to greater engagement, higher productivity, and higher job satisfaction.
In other words, engaging your staff with their giftedness brings more profit and more purpose.
For anyone considering a job change, you must take the time to understand yourself before making your next move. Ask yourself:
What have been my favorite moments in my work?
What type of work energizes me?
Will I find these patterns in the job for which I'm applying?
If you struggle answering these questions, then you’re not alone but finding the answers is crucial if you want to build a purposeful career.
Consultants at The Giftedness Group® not only have been trained at a master-level to help people answer these questions purposefully, but they have been hand selected as people who happen to have an innate giftedness themselves that works well with being a giftedness coach.
Individuals, we can help you find your dream career.
Managers, we can help you get the most performance out of your people.
Using your giftedness is the answer to career purpose and profit.
Thankfully, some leaders from all generations—like Art Miller, Bill Hendricks, Simon Sinek, and C. M. Rippey—have stepped up to address this gap. These leaders understand the importance of marrying meaningful work with the hard work required to drive business success. Profit and purpose are not mutually exclusive. In fact, when employees are placed in roles that align with their giftedness, companies always see better performance in the numbers. Understanding psychological motivation and giftedness yet marrying it with a need in the market is the top tactic for career happiness, career longevity, and career success. The good executive leader today will recognize this. This approach–which The Giftedness Group® has mastered–is available to you today by reaching out for a free consultation.
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