If we are doing the work that matters then we should start with the human connection. Otherwise, we are building transactions. I believe we are in search of more than a checklist of items completed.
Author: whatifconcepts
Purpose vs Passion
Morten Hansen wrote a book title Great At Work: How Top Performers Work Less and Achieve More. One of Morten’s areas of study was the difference between purpose and passion. Purpose asks what you can contribute to others. Passion is the pursuit of things that excite you.
Morten’s team collected data on work place engagement as self-reported by individuals and confirmed by managers. As expected, those who report high passion and high purpose were in the 80th percentile of their team. On the flip-side, those who report low passion and low purpose rank in the bottom 10 percent. So far, this resonates with conventional wisdom.
Next, the researchers focused on those with high passion but low purpose. How much impact does passion deliver for a team member, even when their sense of purpose was low? This group was close to the low passion, low purpose group. High passion, low purpose individual rank in the bottom 20th percent.
Which brings us to the high purpose, low passion individual. What is the impact of purpose on their contribution? It is remarkable. High purpose, low passion team members rank in the 64th percentile of their team.
The research confirms purpose overshadows passion like a giant oak tree. If we identify team members that embody both, the probability of success is high. If we must choose between an individual with a sense of purpose and a sense of passion, purpose delivers a significantly higher value.
Intrigued? Here is an interview on career advise from Morten Hansen
Both
Acclaimed poet Rumi stated, “You are not a drop in the ocean; you are the entire ocean in a drop.”
I think both mindsets matter. The optimist and dreamer in us embraces the remarkable state of being that believes the entire ocean resides in each and every drop. The empathetic self needs to recognize that ourselves or individuals we encounter temporarily adopt the mindset that we/they are a lonely drop in the ocean.
Managing our mindset allows us to toggle between the drop and the ocean.
It Can Wait Until the Meeting
What discussion and opportunities have you missed because they were postponed until the next meeting or there was not time on the agenda? What might have happened if the moment of creativity and insight was allowed to take flight in real-time? If all our actions are captured on a schedule, then when does ‘be remarkable’ appear in writing on our calendar? Perhaps we have the inspiration, strength, endurance, or ideal conditions to tackle the crux move today. What if we embraced the dynamic, now?
Thanks for the reminder Seth Godin.
Elevation and Perspective
When we are afforded elevation it provides is with perspective. Height changes the horizon line. We are fascinated with drone footage that give a bird’s eye view. How might we elevate to help inform our decision-making?
Co-Sign
What planning documents would you co-sign? Said differently, are you willing to lend your name and reputation to the plan that guide the cause that you support? Are you aligned with the enterprise’s vision for the future? Otherwise, it might be a compelling scale model but not worth the effort to build in real-time.
Choice vs Decide
What, if any, is the difference between choosing and deciding? Is a decision somehow more definitive than a choice? Does a choice leave more room for wayfinding along the way? Does choosing feel more spacious and deciding more narrow? Does is matter?
Canvass
Sometimes we need to be creative to find a place to share our work. It is not always possible to create something unique and hang it in a gallery. Even if the creation exists on a backcountry trail, it will impact those that encounter it.
Location
Most Saguaros cactus do not have golf balls embedded in their arms. However, those that reside within a golf course are inclined to collect a few errant shots. I have been in many conversations where a social sector cause wishes to attract a sensational feature or benefit, perhaps a billionaire philanthropist who takes interest in supporting the enterprise with untold generosity. However, if we are not in a billionaire’s mindset, then perhaps we are like a cactus in the wild trying to catch golf balls. Embrace our respective geographies, we are remarkable for existing within the landscape we occupy.
How a Math Theory Might Confirm Belief
Belief might be based on a sense of proportion and scale. As we gain access to more evidence we can reinforce our beliefs. We have access to a prior perspective and then opportunity to experiment with change. Our perspective may be confirm our beliefs or encourage an update.
What-if-concepts 