Top five ways HR can help build purposeful workplaces

Creating purposeful workplaces is essential for fostering engagement, motivation, and overall wellbeing among employees. HR professionals play a crucial role in this transformation, ensuring that leadership practices and organisational culture align with purpose. Here are five comprehensive strategies HR can implement to build more purposeful workplaces:

1.   Promote vertical development and purpose-driven leadership

No organisation can organise at a higher stage of development than the consciousness of its leadership. Deep systemic change occurs only if we can be the change we want to see. Encouraging leaders to engage in self-awareness and leadership development is fundamental to building a purposeful workplace. Research on adult development reveals that leaders can progress through measurable stages of development, achieving higher levels of leadership effectiveness and leadership potential utilisation. This progression involves moving from reactive, fear-driven behaviours to purpose driven leadership.

By helping leaders understand their strengths and areas for growth, HR can facilitate this development through development programmes. These programmes can include coaching, 360-degree feedback, and developmental assessments. When leaders operate from a place of self-awareness and authenticity, they inspire their teams to do the same, creating a ripple effect throughout the organisation.

2.   Develop collective leadership

 “Effective collective leadership is your one competitive and strategic advantage that no one can copy.” ~ Dave Schrader, PhD. Without it, transformation will not happen. Focusing on the development of leadership teams rather than just individual leaders is essential for collective leadership effectiveness. HR should facilitate team development programmes that enhance collaboration, communication, and shared accountability among leadership teams. This approach ensures that leadership practices are consistent and aligned with the organisation’s goals.

Collective leadership development can be achieved through team-building activities, collective leadership and culture assessments, and collaborative workshops.

3.   Implement a feedback culture

Creating a culture of continuous feedback is vital for fostering growth and development. Regular, constructive feedback helps individuals at all levels of the organisation improve and adapt. HR can play a pivotal role in establishing feedback-rich environments by promoting open communication, and ensuring that feedback mechanisms are in place.

“By focusing on engagement and empowerment, HR can help employees connect their personal goals with the organisation’s mission, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment in their work.” – Sandrine Provoost, CEO, Vertical Breakthrough.

Implementing 360-degree feedback processes and encouraging frequent check-ins between managers and their teams are effective strategies. Training leaders to provide and welcome feedback constructively can also enhance this culture. When feedback is normalised and encouraged, it helps build trust and transparency, leading to a more dynamic and responsive workplace.

4.   Champion diversity and inclusion

Championing diversity and inclusion is critical to creating a purposeful workplace. A diverse and inclusive environment not only fosters innovation and creativity but also ensures that all employees feel valued and respected. This sense of belonging is essential for employees to connect with the organisation’s higher purpose.

HR can champion this by implementing policies and practices that promote equal opportunities and fair treatment for all employees. This can include bias training, diverse hiring practices, and inclusive leadership development programmes.

5.   Enhance employee engagement and empowerment

Engaged and empowered employees are more likely to be motivated, productive, and committed to the organisation’s goals and purpose. HR can encourage strategies that give employees a sense of ownership and control over their work.

This can include offering opportunities for professional development, recognising and rewarding contributions, and providing a platform for employees to voice their ideas and concerns. Empowering employees also involves creating an inclusive and psychologically safe environment where everyone feels valued and respected. HR can facilitate this by promoting open communication, encouraging collaboration, and ensuring that all employees have access to the resources and support they need to succeed.

READ MORE: Coda’s recipe for a thriving culture: Inclusion, growth, and wellbeing

By focusing on engagement and empowerment, HR can help employees connect their personal goals with the organisation’s mission, fostering a deeper sense of purpose and fulfilment in their work.

Conclusion

HR professionals are uniquely positioned to drive the transformation towards more purposeful workplaces. By promoting self-awareness and vertical development, facilitating purpose-driven leadership, implementing feedback culture, developing collective leadership, and championing diversity and inclusion, HR can create a culture where employees find meaning and fulfilment in their work. This shift not only enhances employee engagement and retention but also drives overall organisational success. Transform your workplace today and ignite the purpose and passion within your organisation!

About the Author: Sandrine Provoost is CEO of Vertical Breakthrough. She is also an Organisational Psychologist, a Transformation Consultant, and an Executive Coach.