Being on purpose at work

Why are you here on this earth?

By David Peck

from the March 4, 2008 edition

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Palm Springs, Calif. - Why are you here on this earth?

That's the kind of question you might confront in church, a philosophy seminar, or a self-help book – but certainly not in the executive suite. Yet a recent experience I had convinced me that, at work, it can trigger not just existential musing but a purpose-driven awareness that drives success. The concrete answers it generates can rearrange the lives of individuals, organizations, and even nations for the better.

This change in my thinking resulted from my work as an executive coach. I talk very candidly to leaders all the time and I can't help but notice that they have a wide variety of ideas about how they view their job: "My job is to deliver financial results," or "I'm here to tell people what to do and how to do it,'' or "I'm here to serve my constituents." The list goes on.

Recently, though, I had an astonishing conversation along these lines with a refreshingly self-aware CEO of a large manufacturing holding company.

Much to my annoyance, and then wonder, our talk challenged my own notions about a leader's role not only in his or her organization, but also in relation to the world.

This CEO asks the people who work for him at all levels to consider the question: Why are you here on this earth?

He didn't wait for me to ask the question of him. He said he and his companies are here to make the world a better place and to touch people's lives in a positive way every day. Sounds like fluffy corporate PR boilerplate, right? Well, from my conversation with him, I can tell you: He means it.

Wow.

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