Purpose Driven: Finding Relevance

By: Jeremy Stickling

Fast food worker.

What image does that phrase conjure up?

There is an over-generalized picture that pops into my mind. Someone with bad posture who makes little-to-no eye contact. Average walking speed = 0.3 mph. Seems annoyed when you are audacious enough to TALK to them…and is even more incredulous if you ASK A QUESTION (gasp). Instantly pleased when you leave their personal space.

Sound familiar? Maybe not. There are exceptions. But many of us probably have this stereotypical view.

Why is this the case? Fast-food employees must be lazy people. Or perhaps they are unhelpful and selfish by nature. Perhaps apathy and indifference are part of their DNA.  

…but these aren’t ringing true. I feel guilty just typing that out…

How about this one:  Irrelevance. A lack of meaning in their work.

Every morning, approximately 630 people wake up and begin preparing for another day of work at Nussbaum. Why do you do it? 

• Because I need the paycheck.
• Because I want to achieve success in my career.
• Because I am working towards a performance goal at work.
• Because I was taught to put in a hard day’s work.

Those are not bad reasons. Yet what about those who are the most engaged at work, those who have an extra level of energy, those who look forward to each day? It is likely that they work for a larger purpose. They almost certainly have found meaning…or relevance…in their work.

To find relevance is to understand the following:  My job makes a difference for someone else. It matters to someone beyond just me.

Finding relevance isn’t always obvious. It can take some soul searching. But I believe it exists in EVERY job. Start by asking two questions. Who do I interact with in my job? How can I make a positive difference for them?

Let’s revisit that fast food worker. Only this worker has found meaning in his job. He knows how he can make a difference. He focuses on each interaction with restaurant patrons to give them a pleasant moment in their day. As a result, your mood is improved. When you arrive home, your family reaps the benefits. A fast-food worker just made a difference for your family!

Too fantastic? Not reality? Try it with your job and see what happens!

Nussbaum’s Vision Statement reads: “To be purpose driven in everything we do to positively impact the lives of everyone we interact with.” For anyone who embraces this, work will take on an entirely new meaning.

Note – Want to dig in more? If you are a reader, look up Patrick Lencioni. He describes the irrelevance concept in depth!