It’s been over six years since I first stumbled upon Mark Earls’ “Purpose-Idea”:
Put really simply, the Purpose-Idea is the “What For?” of a business, or any kind of community. What exists to change (or protect) in the world, why employees get out of bed in the morning, what difference the business seeks to make on behalf of customers and employees and everyone else? BTW this is not “mission, vision, values” territory – it’s about real drives, passions and beliefs. The stuff that men in suits tend to get embarrassed about because it’s personal. But it’s the stuff that makes the difference between success and failure, because this kind of stuff brings folk together in all aspects of human life.
Like the print says, “Love is all we have. Or ever wanted.” To separate that from your work [“It’s just a paycheck” etc.] is more than a shame, it’s almost criminal.
The Purpose-Idea is more than just a clever branding exercise. It’s a useful metal device where, if you can get it right, Love and Work can be unified, either on an individual or collective level.
And why not try to unify them? Life is short.
