Lean Quote: Finding Meaning in Your Work

On Fridays I will post a Lean related Quote. Throughout our lifetimes many people touch our lives and leave us with words of wisdom. These can both be a source of new learning and also a point to pause and reflect upon lessons we have learned. Within Lean active learning is an important aspect on this journey because without learning we can not improve.

"Humans feel. They (want to) feel like they belong, they (want to) feel recognized and appreciated, they (want to) feel purpose, they (want to) feel trust, they (want to) feel safe."   —  Logan Mallory

It’s no secret that one of the biggest culprits behind burnout and unhappiness in American corporate life is having a busy job that feels meaningless. Study after study over the years has shown that jobs lacking any sense of purpose not only leave people emotionally drained, but also make them feel anxious, disconnected, and downright bored.

When employees are focused only on their day-to-day tasks, it’s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. And when employees are less in tune with the work they do, fulfillment and satisfaction can seem far away. In the short term, this can have a negative impact on work quality, but in the long term, it can also reduce the productivity of your workforce and start the decline of a successful business.

So how can you tell if a person has found meaning in their role? Here are some signs that they aren’t finding meaning:

• Little emotional investment in it
• Relatively detached to the work and what it stands for
• Just marking time, waiting for something better to come along#
• Just doing enough to get by
• Not putting extra effort into improvements or growth
• Easily distracted
• Procrastination on some aspects of the work
• Finding it easy to make excuses for poor quality work
• Playing the blame game when anything goes wrong

Recognizing these signs of employee disengagement is the first step towards finding ways to re-engage your employees. When team members see a purpose in what they are doing, it ceases to become just a job to them, and allows them to bring their best selves to work at all times. So, what are the signs that a team member is engaged in their work and finds meaning in it? Here are some positive signs:

• They express some form of excitement in what they do
• They can easily concentrate on what’s most important
• Their attention and focus are on performing at a high level
• They devote time to what really matters
• They are creative in the way the job is approached
• Success is measured by progress as well as completion
• Obstacles are seen as a stepping stone rather than a barrier
• Ideas for improvement come naturally for the team member
• Looking forward to working on many aspects of the role

Disengaged employees can have a significant negative impact on an organization’s productivity, morale, and overall success. That’s why it’s crucial for leaders and managers to recognize the signs of disengagement and take proactive steps to re-engage their employees.

Re-engaging disengaged employees requires a thoughtful and proactive approach and is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and attention. By implementing strategies, you can contribute to creating a work environment that promotes engagement, motivation, and ultimately leads to improved productivity and organizational success.