From the Onset
As I journey and interact with corporate clients, I discover that they often find themselves in the pursuit of meaning and purpose beyond profit margins and market dominance which is very encouraging.
Many have come to realize that true success lies not just in what they do but in why they do it. This search for purpose involves a profound transformation of not just the company’s goals and strategies but also the behaviour patterns of its teams. I would like to delve into the inspiring journey of one of my clients (not to be named) that discovered its true purpose by changing just the behaviour patterns.
A sidenote to this is that most of this process was understood better through the initial Team Enneagram project which then just flourished into awareness and acceptance in how to change and why.
The Initial State
This client, a mid-sized tech company, had been in business for over two decades. It had enjoyed steady growth and financial success, yet something was amiss. Employee morale was stagnating, and innovation seemed to have plateaued. The leadership team recognized the need for change, but they were uncertain about where to begin. I presented the Enneagram project of IEQ9 and there was so much uncovered that during any other normal day could never be discussed. The journey towards discovering a deeper sense of purpose began with a moment of introspection and the workshop presented many “aha” moments leading to the next phase.
The Turning Point
The company’s leadership acknowledged that the organization had grown complacent, focusing more on the “what” (profits and products) rather than the “why” (their core mission and values). This realization set them on a trajectory as to “how do we change?” The day-to-day communication of “what’s mine?” and “what’s yours?” had to change to “what’s ours?” and “how do we change to fix what’s broken?” We invested together and I was proud to travel with them through this process of rediscovery. We navigated many areas and I mention a few below.
Behavioural Transformation
When the leadership team understood that real change had to start from the top, they committed to embodying the values they wished to see throughout the organization. They attended my leadership workshop to engage in seeking to refine their own behaviour patterns and reinvent the true purpose.
Empathy and Inclusivity
I focus a lot on organizations rediscovering empathy, a skill that has been lost. To foster a culture of empathy and inclusivity, the company initiated programs that encouraged team members to better understand one another’s perspectives. This included open forums for dialogue, diversity training, and mentoring programs. I was privileged to facilitate these.
Innovation and Risk-Taking
I have a slogan in my coaching language where I repeat constantly that grey is growth. This team was recognizing that innovation had slowed down as what they knew worked, and why change it. I encouraged employees to embrace risk-taking and experimentation. They set up “Innovation Fridays,” where teams were allowed to work on projects of their choice. This not only spurred innovation but also fostered a sense of purpose in the employees, as they felt their contributions were valued. So impactful.
Community Engagement
Nothing can be done alone and like in the analogy “it takes a village” this business, to align the organization’s values with its purpose, began actively participating in community projects and social causes. This change in behaviour patterns instilled a sense of pride and purpose among employees, knowing they were part of a company making a positive impact beyond its walls and that really did care.
Communication and Transparency
Communication, a lost art in many businesses, was a development area for this team and they implemented task teams to understand how to communicate better. The company improved its communication channels to ensure that every employee felt heard and informed. Regular town hall meetings and transparent reporting created a sense of trust and belonging and the post project feed-back looked so different.
Discovering Purpose
When this team transformed its behaviour patterns, something remarkable happened, they began to rediscover its true purpose. It wasn’t merely a tech company; it was a company dedicated to improving the lives of its customers, employees, and the community at large and this over four months was evident in productivity, staff morale and commercial results.
So, what was the Impact?
- Renewed Culture: The cultural transformation revitalised the organization. Employee engagement and job satisfaction soared, resulting in lower turnover rates and higher productivity.
- Enhanced Innovation: The encouragement of innovation and risk-taking led to the development of groundbreaking products and services, propelling the company to the forefront of its industry once more.
- Community Recognition: Through its community engagement efforts, it gained recognition and trust in its local and global communities. This not only boosted its reputation but also attracted top talent.
- Clear Purpose: The company now had a clear sense of purpose beyond profits. Every employee knew they were contributing to something greater than themselves, which motivated them to do their best work. I was ecstatic.
This journey serves as a testament to the transformative power of changing behaviour patterns within an organization. By investigating and committing to what needs to be changed, focusing on the points mentioned such as empathy, inclusivity, innovation, community engagement, and transparent communication, they were able to rediscover their purpose and reignite their passion for what they do.
For me, this illustrates that purpose isn’t something static or predefined but rather a dynamic force that can be uncovered and nurtured through conscious effort and behavioural change. In the end, they learned that true success isn’t just about what you achieve but why and how you achieve it, and that lesson has made all the difference.
I would love to journey with you and your teams. Contact me for more on this.
