As the President and CEO of Give Kids The World, I believe strongly in the power of purpose. There’s virtually no substitute to living a life driven by passion and energy. You feel whole, connected to something bigger than yourself. But a purpose-driven life is not just beneficial for individuals, it’s good for companies as well.
In the last several years, many companies have made a significant shift toward a more socially responsible environment, encouraging their employees to get involved with causes that mean the most to them. This culture of giving back is a key ingredient in ensuring that your employees – and your company as a whole – thrive!
Work for More Than Just a Paycheck. If you take even a cursory look at the state of the American workforce today, the landscape can be rather bleak. More hours, stagnant pay, and uninspiring routines leave many workers suffering through the day just to make ends meet. While earning money is a necessity of modern life, having it as the sole motivator for your employment can be poison to the spirit.
It’s been shown that employees feel more fulfilled and engaged at their jobs when they know they are contributing to something greater than themselves. By incorporating a company-wide cause that employees can get behind, you’re allowing them to give back in a way they might not be able to do otherwise.
Stay for Good. Imagine an average job. The workplace environment is typically dull. The work you do is uninspiring. The company you work for doesn’t stand for much, it just plods along, day by day. The years pass by and eventually you find you’ve reached a point where you either muster the energy to suffer through the next day, or you quit, and move on to the next company.
What is the company described above missing? A tangible purpose. A mission that its employees can fall back on when they get in a rut. There are few jobs that stay exciting or even interesting every day. But working for a company that sets its sights on something more than just the bottom line can keep employees engaged and energized. This leads to lower rates of employee turnover and higher rates of employee satisfaction and happiness.
In addition, companies who prioritize charitable giving and volunteerism are more likely to attract top-tier talent. Today’s workforce is more focused on the greater good than ever before, and they’re in search of companies that are prioritizing stewardship and giving.
Be Engaged and Stay Present. Employee engagement is a trendy buzz phrase, but what does it really mean? An engaged employee brings their whole self to the office on a daily basis. They are enthusiastic about the work they do, often going above and beyond what is asked of them.
This is the type of worker most employers seek out when wading through piles of résumés. But this type of worker doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Yes, some people are more apt to be engaged than others, but the environment plays a huge role. It can foster engagement, or it can squelch it.
Incorporating volunteer opportunities for employees has been shown to significantly raise engagement levels. Volunteering gives employees the chance to step out of the norm, learn new skills, and be a part of something bigger than themselves.
Ultimately, when you encourage employees to give back, you’re setting them up to not only be more fulfilled individuals, but also to be more engaged employees. And when they are doing good, the company will do well.