Meaning
Meaning. The meaning of life is the first thing that
comes to my mind. This question has been
asked for as long as people have existed.
It continues to be asked even today.
It is the subject of self-help books, seminars, friendly gatherings, and
campfire queries. Scholars have pondered
the subject to exhaustion. Why? Because there is no answer that applies to
every case. Meaning is so abstract, so
subjective that if you asked 100 people, you would get 100 different answers. However, as a leader, I am expected to help
answer that very question for everyone in my charge. Wow, I have not been able to answer it for
myself. Okay, time for an attitude
check...yes that was the wrong attitude.
Back to helping employees find meaning in their work.
It occurred to me that I honestly do
not know what meaning is when used in this context. People find their calling, or achieve purpose
in their work, I get that. However, I
really do not believe those words are interchangeable with meaning. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary (online)
defines meaning as "significant quality; especially: implication of a
hidden or special significance" (2015).
I think I need a second opinion.
An article on this very subject but
focused on college students, suggests that young adults (18 -24 years old) are
trying to find identity, direction...a stable sense of self. This is also
when their search for meaning begins.
Having a sense of purpose and meaning in one's life is attributable to
psychological health and well-being. Purpose,
significance, and calling are all important aspects of meaning but neither of
them adequately captures meaning on its own (Adams, 2012). So meaning is, “the extent to which people comprehend,
make sense of, or see significance in their lives, accompanied by the degree to
which they perceive themselves to have a purpose, mission, or over-arching aim
in life” (Adams, 2012 pg. 2, as quoted by Steger, 2009).
Finding a
sense of meaning has an impact in the work place as it does one’s health. Workers that have found meaning in their life
and work are more actively engaged at work, stay with their jobs longer, are
more satisfied, and are more productive (Shaunessey, 2015).
With benefits
that include better physical and mental health and improved satisfaction, performance,
and longevity.at work, helping employees to find meaning in their work makes
perfect sense. But, how do I? Sometimes I do not convey meaning well enough
to be correctly understood. I do not
want to be responsible for helping one find the wrong meaning. But there are ways that leaders can help without
interfering. We cannot and should not assign
meaning for them, but we can and should be there for them as they search. We can question, coach, observe, point out
their strengths, and find out at a deeper level exactly who they are. Leaders talk to their people regularly in both
formal and informal settings. We help them
set goals and celebrate their achievements.
Why not talk about things that cause our people to reflect on passion,
purpose, values, and morals as it applies to their work, home life, and life in
general? Reflective or critical thinking
is a process of thinking things through without being influenced by personal bias
or stereotypes. Once one learns the process,
understanding anything can and does happen at a much deeper level (Nosich,
2012). It is at this level of understanding
that I believe questions like meaning are answered. It is at this deeper level of understanding
themselves that makes personal happiness, passion and motivation and,
ultimately, meaning easier to find.
Meaning in life
and work is complicated, subjective, and uniquely defined for every
person. It is important for the leader to
understand that they can help (if allowed), but they must do so from the
listening, encouraging, and supporting points of view. Many of the guidelines for inspirational leadership
would apply to a discussion on finding meaning.
·
Explain in detail the impact that finding meaning
has had on your life and the lives of others
·
Tell them exactly how they can and what they need to
do to achieve their own sense of meaning
·
Be confident and optimistic about the process
·
Believe in them and their ability to succeed
·
Use language that inspires excitement and encourages
action
·
Let them see meaning (attitudes, positivity, energy,
and direction) in your day to day activities
·
Be available and prepared to answer questions,
provide examples, and show that you care.
I know that happy
people are less stressed, more focused, are easier to work with, and seem to
get more enjoyment out of the things they do.
Research suggests that a sense of meaning can have an even greater
effect on people.
At this
point, I am intrigued, but not convinced. I need to review more of the literature
on meaning to fully understand the concept and do some critical thinking to
understand why I feel as I do. Why was
my default reaction disbelief? I guess
that is work to do.
References:
Adams, C. M. (2012). Calling and career counseling
with college students: Finding meaning in work and life. Journal of College
Counseling, 15(1), 65-80. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/1015180444?accountid=27203
Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 2015. Online.
Retrieved from: www.merriam-webster.com
Nosich, G. M. (2012). Learning to think things through:
Critical thinking across the curriculum. Columbus, OH: Prentice Hall.
(ISBN: 9780137085149)
(ISBN: 9780137085149)
Shaunnessey, T. (2015). Finding meaning in work can benefit
companies, employee mental health. Professional Safety, 60(6), 21.
Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy.libproxy.db.erau.edu/docview/1686810293?accountid=27203
Yukl, G. (2013). Leadership in organizations (8th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall
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