What Matters

I came across an interesting report last month that piqued my interest. The Pew Research Center conducted a survey last spring of over 5,000 US adults, asking questions about the future of the family. One of the sections of inquiry is entitled, “What Makes for a Fulfilled Life.” The authors discovered that 71% of all adults believe that having a job they enjoy is extremely or very important—greater than any other factor. That is, an enjoyable career makes a fulfilled life.

Fulfilled Life

This doesn’t surprise me. The report’s findings confirm what other research has found. In fact, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) advocates that career fulfillment is more significant than employee engagement. With all the attention on career fulfillment, the best firms are creating work environments that make career development a primary recruiting and retention emphasis.

Firm Responsibility

This is a wonderful and needed approach to growing and grooming professionals. But I’m always struck by the fact that firm leaders spend less attention on equipping their workforce to discover their own professional journeys. It’s as if the entire burden of employee satisfaction falls squarely on the organization’s shoulders. If someone doesn’t feel fulfilled, it must be the firm’s fault. At some point, staff are responsible for their career—their trajectory and their satisfaction. It can’t lie solely at the feet of the firm’s leadership.

Staff Responsibility

We have found in our training and coaching programs that people really want to discover their own meaningful career. They just may not know how. While firms can create the environment, people must apply themselves to take advantage of the opportunity. Do they have the right perspective and attitudes? Do they have the proper knowledge and skills? Have they found their motivational drivers? Are they being rewarded accordingly?

Don’t assume these elements are all in place in your staff. No one comes to your firm a complete package. They all need the appropriate mindsets, skillsets and toolsets to find their way. Only then will your people discover and live into the fulfilling career that is theirs to create.

If you are a firm leader, assess your efforts and fill in the gaps. If you are an employee, let your leaders know what you need in order to explore your career journey. Together, let’s grow motivated, high performing professionals who love what they do.