Practice 3: Enabling meaningful contributions

- Have you ever felt that rush of purpose when you know your work truly matters? Research shows that we find our jobs more meaningful when we have three things, a sense of autonomy over how we get our jobs done, opportunities to use and develop our skills or competency, and opportunities to collaborate and connect with our teammates. When it comes to leading your team, it's important to keep these three elements in mind, so let's dive a little deeper and understand each of them. First, let's talk about how to give your team the freedom they need to thrive. You'll want to empower employees to make decisions about their work, fostering a sense of ownership and purpose. Start by involving employees in setting their own performance goals. This boosts their ownership and commitment. Don't shy away from seeking input on decisions that impact their work. It makes a really big difference. Regular check-ins are essential to provide constructive feedback that guides them without micromanaging. Encourage your team to come up with their own solutions before turning to you for help. This fosters independence and creativity. And of course, make sure they have access to tools and information they need to get the job done more effectively. Your job is to give employees the support, tools, and resources they need to manage both what they do and how they do it. Next, it's your job to create opportunities for your team to utilize and grow their skills. This is the key to fostering meaningful work. This includes helping them understand why a task is significant, and creating opportunities for them to use a variety of skills. Design roles that challenge employees, while highlighting the importance of their tasks and offering diverse experiences. Be mindful that jobs filled with repetitive tasks or that lead to feelings of isolation can diminish their sense of purpose. To make a real impact, clearly communicate how each person's work contributes to the bigger picture, whether that's organizational goals, or customer service, or societal benefits. Mix things up by rotating responsibilities to include a variety of activities that tap into different skills. Encourage cross-training so that team members can learn new skills beyond their primary roles. And don't forget to assign special projects that spark creativity and innovation. Finally, when team members connect with people who benefit from their efforts, it enhances their sense of purpose. One way to celebrate this impact is by sharing stories of beneficiaries or even setting up opportunities for employees to meet those they help. This can make a huge difference in how they view their tasks. Create opportunities for teammates to interact and work with others and gain informal feedback and learn from peers. By bringing together people from different departments or specialties, you create a rich environment for creativity and innovation. It's all about making those connections that not only benefit your organization, but also give everyone a sense of purpose. Making these three actions a regular practice will enable you to create the right conditions for your team members to make a meaningful contribution.