I asked AI, What is Purpose-Driven work? And then did some research…

A very hot topic for businesses and employees these days is this topic of purpose-driven work. We will explore what AI has to say on Purpose-Driven work and then what the research says.  

Here goes, AI “What is Purpose-Driven work?”

AI Response:
Purpose-driven work refers to employment that aligns with an individual's personal values, beliefs, and goals, creating a sense of meaning and fulfillment in their professional life. Employees engaged in purpose-driven work feel that their efforts contribute to something larger than themselves, often tied to social causes, environmental sustainability, or ethical business practices. This type of work is increasingly sought after as more individuals seek careers that offer not only financial compensation but also emotional and ethical satisfaction.

Okay great, AI “What are 5 steps to implement purpose driven work at my business?”

AI Response:
1. Define Your Core Values and Mission
2. Engage Employees in Decision-Making
3. Align Business Practices with Purpose
4. Communicate and Celebrate Impact
5. Integrate Purpose into Employee Engagement and Recognition

Super, I have a definition and steps, but really AI “What is the benefit to my business?”

AI Response:
1. Increased Employee Engagement and Retention
2. Enhanced Brand Reputation and Customer Loyalty
3. Attracting Top Talent
4. Positive Social and Environmental Impact
5. Long-Term Financial Gains

Research

All good and sound like positive things for my employees and my business, but are there really studies which prove some of the direct benefits?  Let’s dig into this a little for some of the items above.

Well, a Forbes article states, “Organizations that prioritize purpose are more likely to attract and retain top talent, foster innovation, and create a positive impact on society” which is great, but the article doesn’t provide any references to studies done to prove this.

A case study found on the Harvard Business Review does highlight the company in the study was able to create a purpose driven supply chain which enable them to sell $130 million worth of product profitably.  A great purpose but I still didn’t find the numbers to show the full impact.

This was an interesting finding. According to the study found in the book Firms of Endearment, companies with a social cause as part of their corporate culture dramatically outperformed S&P 500 companies by 14x over a 15 year period.  That certainly is significant.

As found in my previous blog post, “Five Proven Strategies for Boosting Employee Motivation and Cultivating a Thriving Corporate Culture” there is lots of empirical evidence of the benefits to employee engagement to the business.

Conclusion
It seems that AI is correct, and the guidance provided by AI is sound in building a purpose-driven approach.  The research highlights and proves there are real tangible business benefits.  As well, of course outside of all the direct benefits, there is the real impact of goodness your purpose-driven efforts will have on the world we all live in.
So, I would encourage you to investigate improvements to your purpose-driven programs and if you don’t have any yet, to dig in and get going, we can help!

 Sources:
1.    https://www.forbes.com/sites/nelldebevoise/2024/03/13/how-purpose-driven-leadership-is-changing-the-world/
2.    https://hbr.org/2023/09/how-tonys-chocolonely-created-a-purpose-driven-and-profitable-supply-chain
3.    https://www.firmsofendearment.com/
4.    https://www.patdoyle.ca/Blog/ArticleID/1702/Five-Proven-Strategies-for-Boosting-Employee-Motivation-and-Cultivating-a-Thriving-Corporate-Culture