July 2009

A Mission to Serve

Your whole world changes when you shift your mindset from “What’s in it for me?” to “How can I serve?” This shift is particularly powerful when applied to your job.

Some of us have careers in which the contribution is apparent—the executive director of a non-profit organization, a world-class surgeon or a dedicated teacher. Those in other professions may find it more difficult to see how their role really contributes to the big picture of an organization. But we all make an important impact. The key is to define that impact in a meaningful way that gets to the heart of what you do. And I mean that literally, because serving really does come from the heart.

For instance, an administrative assistant might think, “I’m just scheduling appointments all day and filing endless piles of paperwork.” Shifting the focus to, “I’m making my boss feel more confident and organized, and helping our department operate efficiently,” creates a whole new level of value—both for your own sense of self-worth and for those in your organization.

I know that I’d feel much better if my accountant’s mission was to “ease my clients’ stress about their taxes,” than if it was “to generate 50 new six-figure clients by the end of the month.” How are you viewing your role—and what value does that create for you and those you serve?

Put It into Practice:

Start to define your role not by the responsibilities listed in your job description, but by the benefits that, when done well, the fulfillment of those responsibilities brings to your team and organization. Think about the way you wish to treat people and the results you’ll be creating. You’ll find that you’ll be much more successful in your role—and much more eager to get to work!

Perform at Your Peak:

Give the members of your staff the tools to connect the mission of their jobs to the broader mission of your organization. Sign on for our signature program, Working with Purpose. Your team will participate in a customized community outreach program that will give them a renewed sense of pride and service—and help them apply those concepts back to their roles in the workplace.

Ovations Inc. takes corporate teams out of the office to experience activities such as cooking, yoga, golf, scavenger hunts and more. Teams focus on various areas of peak performance and apply the learnings back to the work environment. Contact us to find out how can help take your team to the top.

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