TIP OF THE DAY: Paycheck or Purpose?

Todd Dewett | October 4, 2019

If you lead a team at work – you have a responsibility. Many actually, but there is one big overarching question. Does your team show up only for a paycheck, or because they also see purpose beyond the paycheck?

It doesn’t matter what kind of work you do. However, the way you think about it and how you help your team to think about it matters a great deal.

Your crew might be sanitation workers, purchasing professionals, engineers, or maybe nurses. For any of them, there are three ways to help them feel purpose.

First, connect them to the outcomes they ultimately serve. If you process mortgages, get notes or video from a few first time homeowners saying thank you to your team for making their dream of home ownership come true. Get creative and help them feel the value they add.

Next, choose to be a boss known for kindness, helpfulness, and understanding. You can have meaningful standards and accountability, great – but do it with a relentless positive attitude to make the process feel just and meaningful.

Finally, encourage meaningful relationships among team members. You don’t have to be best friends, but you must be more than just colleagues. The best teams have positive, warm, and human connections. That feeds a sense of belonging.

The paycheck will always be part of the equation, but don’t forget that with the right effort, you can help team feel purpose beyond the paycheck.

Stay Up To Speed With Dr. D.!

I just wrapped the first draft of Ten Delusions! Editing is underway. Hopefully, it will be available in a few months. I’m excited to share this practical, honest, and funny book about relationships – I really think it can be helpful to a lot of people. Heads up – new websites coming soon, so be on the lookout. We are launching a new blog as part of the process and it looks awesome. More importantly, it’s packed with useful advice. Up next is a speaking gig for some amazing folks at ENERGY Worldnet next week at the Texas Motor Speedway! I hope all is well in your world – see you next time, Todd.

In this video, Dr. Dewett answers the question of what to do when someone on your team is under performing.