Post by account_disabled on Feb 14, 2024 4:22:30 GMT -6
According to Harvard Business Review , in today's business environment, the gap between proclaimed values and actual actions can undermine trust, raising questions about the authenticity of a company's mission. Can businesses truly embrace a genuine social purpose or do they inevitably collide with the relentless dynamics of capitalism? In this context, the essence of authenticity becomes the epicenter of the debate. What is a corporate purpose and why does it matter? Corporate purpose goes beyond a statement on paper. It is the soul of the company , the lighthouse that guides actions and decisions. In a business world that presents different approaches to purpose, from the transactional focused on profits to the transcendent that seeks social good, it is crucial for companies to find their authenticity. Authenticity in corporate purpose implies real commitment, moving away from superficial and transactional strategies. But how can companies achieve this transcendent purpose? Here we present four key strategies. 1. Be loyal to multiple stakeholders Companies are complex, balancing diverse objectives such as profitability, employee development, environmental responsibility and community participation. Recognizing and embracing this multiplicity is essential.
A telling example is the experience of MX, a US fintech company, which initially lost its way by prioritizing industry expertise over its core purpose. Recognizing this lapse, a management team redefined the purpose as “empowering the world to be financially strong,” aligning its goals with employee benefits, product quality, and investor returns. This act of conscience helped MX balance its social impact and financial competitiveness. 2. The power of leading from the middle Middle managers play a crucial role in aligning the company with its Malaysia Phone Number List purpose. They are often seen as administrators rather than empowering leaders. However, studies indicate that their alignment with purpose is more crucial than that of senior executives or frontline workers. MX demonstrated this by starting its reform process from middle management. Instead of starting at the top, middle leaders identified challenges and collaborated to define core values. This approach strengthened the connection between vision and execution, highlighting the importance of middle leaders in corporate transformation.
Create-an-authentic-corporate-purpose- 3. Empower employees as agents of change True transformation is achieved when each team member becomes an advocate for the purpose. Empowering employees not only means giving them the right to make decisions, but also providing a platform to debate and change culture. MX and Gitlab are examples of companies that encourage participation at all levels. At MX, all employees participated in defining the core values, while at Gitlab, any employee can modify the company manual to improve operations. Empowering employees to be agents of change strengthens the authenticity of purpose. 4. Iterative Innovation transforms team alignment Constant evolution is essential to maintain a transcendent purpose. Adopting a human-centered design approach allows teams to make continuous improvements while keeping purpose at the center. MX implemented a people operations roadmap, incorporating feedback iteratively. This process ensured that alignment with purpose was not static, but rather evolved with the organization. Design thinking, applied to people management, drove the transformation of MX towards a transcendent purpose. In conclusion, authenticity in corporate purpose is not a public relations effort, but rather a deep transformation rooted in organizational culture. By following these four tips, companies can not only proclaim a transcendent purpose, but also live it in every action and decision, closing the gap between profits and genuine social contribution.
A telling example is the experience of MX, a US fintech company, which initially lost its way by prioritizing industry expertise over its core purpose. Recognizing this lapse, a management team redefined the purpose as “empowering the world to be financially strong,” aligning its goals with employee benefits, product quality, and investor returns. This act of conscience helped MX balance its social impact and financial competitiveness. 2. The power of leading from the middle Middle managers play a crucial role in aligning the company with its Malaysia Phone Number List purpose. They are often seen as administrators rather than empowering leaders. However, studies indicate that their alignment with purpose is more crucial than that of senior executives or frontline workers. MX demonstrated this by starting its reform process from middle management. Instead of starting at the top, middle leaders identified challenges and collaborated to define core values. This approach strengthened the connection between vision and execution, highlighting the importance of middle leaders in corporate transformation.
Create-an-authentic-corporate-purpose- 3. Empower employees as agents of change True transformation is achieved when each team member becomes an advocate for the purpose. Empowering employees not only means giving them the right to make decisions, but also providing a platform to debate and change culture. MX and Gitlab are examples of companies that encourage participation at all levels. At MX, all employees participated in defining the core values, while at Gitlab, any employee can modify the company manual to improve operations. Empowering employees to be agents of change strengthens the authenticity of purpose. 4. Iterative Innovation transforms team alignment Constant evolution is essential to maintain a transcendent purpose. Adopting a human-centered design approach allows teams to make continuous improvements while keeping purpose at the center. MX implemented a people operations roadmap, incorporating feedback iteratively. This process ensured that alignment with purpose was not static, but rather evolved with the organization. Design thinking, applied to people management, drove the transformation of MX towards a transcendent purpose. In conclusion, authenticity in corporate purpose is not a public relations effort, but rather a deep transformation rooted in organizational culture. By following these four tips, companies can not only proclaim a transcendent purpose, but also live it in every action and decision, closing the gap between profits and genuine social contribution.