Building Purpose, Creating Impact: How Teams Can Thrive by Aligning Individual Motivations with the Greater Purpose of Business

Introduction: The Silent Revolution at Work

Across industries and continents, a quiet revolution is unfolding—not driven by new technologies, but by a renewed hunger for meaning at work. People are no longer content with jobs that simply fill time or pay bills. They want purpose.

Especially for younger generations, work is expected to be a source of identity, alignment, and contribution. For Gen Z, now over 25% of the workforce, purpose isn’t optional—it’s essential. They aren’t asking, "What do we do as a company?" They’re asking, "Why does it matter?"

This cultural shift presents a unique challenge—and opportunity—for organizations. At the intersection of individual values and collective mission lies the next frontier of performance, innovation, and retention. It’s time for leaders to act.

My Turning Point: From Career Success to Purposeful Work

I had spent years climbing the corporate ladder—leading global strategies, hitting KPIs, and earning promotions. But at some point, I asked myself a question I couldn’t ignore: What impact am I truly making?

This question didn’t just come from within. It came from my children. I laughed at first, then listened. And their question stayed with me.

Despite my outward success, something was missing. So I made a radical decision: I stepped away from the corporate world and built a purpose-led business. Since then, I’ve discovered a deeper fulfillment—not just in what I do, but in how I empower others to find their "why."

1. The Workforce Has Changed

Millennials and Gen Z evaluate employers through a values-first lens. Purpose now ranks higher than salary for many.

✨ 62% of Gen Z would choose a company based on shared values, even at a lower salary. (Deloitte Gen Z & Millennial Survey 2024)

2. Trust in Institutions Is Eroding

Businesses are now expected to take moral and social stands. Profit alone doesn’t build trust—purpose does.

3. The ESG Imperative

Investors and consumers alike demand that organizations integrate social and environmental value into their operations.

Companies that lead with purpose are outperforming on long-term value and talent attraction.

4. AI Displacement Fuels Existential Questions

As machines take over tasks, humans seek new meaning. Purpose is the new productivity.

5. Mental Health Requires Meaning

Burnout is real. Purpose at work enhances resilience, retention, and well-being.

Self-Awareness: The Catalyst for Team Purpose

Purpose doesn’t start with mission statements—it starts with self-awareness. When people understand their core values, strengths, and inner motivations, they can connect to the company’s mission in meaningful ways.

That’s why we use the Enneagram: a behavioral insight tool that reveals how individuals operate under stress, make decisions, and relate to others.

Example:

• A Type 3 (Achiever) may be goal-driven but can overlook emotional dynamics.

• A Type 9 (Peacemaker) maintains harmony but may avoid conflict resolution.

• A Type 6 (Loyalist) brings loyalty and rigor, but may over-question in uncertainty.

By mapping team dynamics through the Enneagram, you don’t just manage people—you empower them.

How to Build Purpose-Driven Teams

This isn’t about changing careers—it’s about changing context. Here’s how leaders can embed purpose in the teams they already lead:

1. Align Personal Values with Business Goals

✨ Practice: Host a workshop where employees name their personal values, then map those to the organization’s mission.

Example:

• A Type 6 who values safety might thrive on building systems that protect customers.

• A Type 2 (Helper) who values care might find purpose in client services or wellness.

2. Create Psychological Safety

✨ Practice: Use anonymous check-ins and retrospectives. Celebrate vulnerability from the top. Customize your communication by type.

• Type 5 (Investigator) needs prep time.

• Type 8 (Challenger) needs room for honest dialogue.

3. Diversify Networking Styles

✨ Practice: Create intentional networking setups—peer lunches, cross-functional projects, or shared value circles.

Match networking formats to Enneagram types:

• Type 4 (Individualist): prefers deep, value-based conversations.

• Type 7 (Enthusiast): thrives in energetic brainstorming spaces.

4. Build Purpose-Driven Networks

✨ Practice: Encourage involvement in CSR initiatives, DEI groups, or innovation labs. Connect people by values—not just functions.

• Type 3 (Achiever): Motivated by high-impact visibility.

• Type 5 (Investigator): Engages best through shared knowledge.

5. Model Resilience from the Top

✨ Practice: After setbacks, lead “what we learned” sessions. Encourage emotional transparency.

• Type 8: Needs permission to show vulnerability.

• Type 9: Needs active inclusion in change decisions.

When Purpose Meets Practice: The Bevel Way

At Bevel, we’ve turned this philosophy into action.

We help organizations:

• Build self-aware, values-aligned teams.

• Run strategic offsites and workshops.

• Equip leaders with tools for resilient, people-first growth.

Through Bevel ON, our non-profit arm, we bring this work to displaced professionals and underrepresented groups—supporting ESG-aligned goals with social impact.

Our methods include:

• Enneagram assessments & facilitation

• Keynotes on purpose, leadership, and inclusion

• Team workshops for clarity and cohesion

• Executive retreats for deep reflection and visioning

Final Word: Performance with Purpose

In a world of fast-paced change and rising disengagement, purpose is not a luxury—it’s a business necessity.

The companies that will thrive tomorrow are the ones that invest today in self-aware teams, meaningful work, and authentic leadership.

So, here’s your next move:

• Start the purpose conversation in your team.

• Bring in a tool like the Enneagram to uncover hidden potential.

• Design systems that elevate meaning—not just metrics.

Because when people feel connected to something bigger, they don’t just show up—they rise.

Let’s lead with purpose. And build something that truly lasts.