Frankl-y Speaking

Continuing the examination of purpose as significant to employee engagement, I refer us to Victor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning (1946). He stated:

We can discover this meaning in life in three different ways: (1) by creating a work or doing a deed; (2) by experiencing a something or encountering someone; and (3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.

For this discussion, I'm viewing the phrase meaning in life and the word purpose as synonymous. And I will take some substantial liberties with his three suggestions.

Creating a work or doing a deed.
Certainly, it is at work that we want to witness employee engagement. But pay attention to the word creating. You can provide opportunities for employees to see and feel their work as creative, no matter how simple, matter-of-fact, or routine it may be. Note: if an employee has the chance to discover that creative aspects himself, ownership takes effect. That's a lot more powerful than merely being told, "What you do is creative."

Experiencing a something or encountering a someone.
Here, I'll paraphrase to having a meaningful relationship with something or someone. By allowing employees to experience the meaningful results of product or service produced, you create opportunities for such relationships. Follow-up meetings with customers/clients/patients may offer both the "something" and the "someone." And such networking can only be good for your business's attention to customers.

Taking positive attitude toward suffering.
I'd like to alter significantly here. Frankl wrote from his immediate experience in the Theresienstadt and Auschwitz concentration camps, and the suffering was universal. However, one's positive attitude can give meaning (purpose) to neutral and even already positive situations. The mindset an employee adopts and applies to her work and her work environment can contribute directly to her identification of their purpose. Managers demonstrate and generate positive attitudes by

• Sharing information
• Listening to concerns
• Promoting employee interaction
• Recognizing and celebrating engagement
• Exhibiting interest and energy

Each of those (and more) action categories has dozens of specific applications. Please feel free to click Comment below and share ways you currently stimulate your employees positive attitude to help them find valuable purpose in what they do.

Comments

[Terrence Seamon]

Tim,
I applaud you for the brilliant linkage of Frankl and engagement!

His writing on man's search for meaning is such a classic and as relevant today as ever.

Terry

[Tim Wright]

Thank you, Terry.

Certainly I accept your applause, and am quick to bow in Mr. Frankl's direction. The joy of reading and re-reading Man's Search for Meaning has made it easy to see linkage between his suggestions and an almost infinite number of the aspects of our life.