Companies in search of meaning

Innovation, improvement of processes and tools, strategic changes: Main concerns wich injure a loss of meaning for your employees.

In a context as changing as the present one, companies are increasing constraints and  they change their organizations, way of working and way of collaborate. With all the strategic and operational changes that this implies, employees are increasingly subject to a lack of involvement linked to a poor understanding of the new directives imposed by these changes.

Employees are looking for meaning and a clear vision while managers are looking for solutions to create group cohesion for a common goal.

"If you hire people just because they can do a job, they will work for your money. But if you hire people who believe in what you believe, they will work for you with blood, sweat and tears. ” Simon Sinek

Find her Why.

For Simon Sinek, "British lecturer / writer" explains that in the business world there are 3 main fundamental questions: "the what, the how, the why".

The "What" lokk at the activity or the offer of the company, the "How" expresses the way in which this "What" is produced. Finally, the Why expresses the reason of being  of the company, the meaning of its missions or the reason for this "What".

These three elements are integrated into his model called "the golden circle". This model is represented by a circle cut into 3 parts (like a target). The "what" is located in the part of the outer circle and the "Why" is located in the heart of the circle. Simone Sinek explains that the "What" corresponds to the neocortex, that is to say the area of the brain which is the seat of rational thought and language. The "how" and the "why" reflect the limbic system that dictates our emotions. As you can see, a company that communicates on the basis of its "Why" will give meaning, inspire confidence and directly touch its customers or consumers at the heart of their emotions and their instincts.

The first question a manager must ask himself is "why", why do we do what we do? Why do we make this product and do we believe in this idea?

Then comes the how and finally what. However, in reality most companies do the opposite. They talk about the "What" (their products or services) how they did it (technical specifications) but generally the "Why" is missing.

The big leaders like Marthin Luther King, the Wright Brothers, Steve Jobs as well as big companies like La Nasa, Apple or Google have understood this very well, they will be followed and supported for their "why". So people, customers or consumers will follow and agree with their ideas and the reason they give their actions so they will believe in "What". (their end products)

These companies are often led by a strong and empathetic personality, whose role will be to promote this meaning through meetings on the ground, which will help to set ambitious goals through a clear vision. The benefit of this model is to be able to motivate employees on many other criteria than profitability, whether or not it is there.