I typically take time off around Christmas and New Year’s to recharge, refocus, and remember why I choose to do the work that I do. I think this is true for many people. We are fortunate to live in a place where we can take time off to relax and reflect, unburdened by serious conflict or social instability, and not defined by inequality.
It’s not to say that these things don’t exist here, they do. In my work with regulators, the public service, boards, and companies these are often factors in the decisions that are made or in the difficult trade-offs needed to decide where effort, energy and resources are placed.
Over the years, I’ve come to better appreciate the delicate balance between work, family, and personal time, particularly in leadership roles or when working for yourself. It goes without saying that having a sense of purpose is essential for both individuals and organisations. People crave purpose, as do I.
Perhaps then it’s no surprise many years ago when I started working for myself I chose ‘With Purpose’ as the name under which I trade. I did then, and do now, believe that when people are empowered and share different perspectives, they can do amazing things, see problems differently, change how they work together and fix important problems.
During the recent holidays, I took stock of the past year and sought input from colleagues, friends, and mentors. I wanted to discuss the key lessons I’d learnt, remind myself about what I’m good at, and the value others find in my work.
My strength is in facilitating teams to share perspectives, understand important problems and helping them develop plans to fix things important to them and their organisation. This involves active listening, empathy, and support. However, I’ve learned that simply solving problems for others isn’t as effective as empowering them to solve it themselves. Rather than providing quick fixes, empowering others to find their own solutions leads to more sustainable outcomes. The adage ‘Your people, your problem, your solution’ holds true; transformative change arises when individuals tackle challenges collectively.
A recent conversation with a senior leader prompted me to share these insights more broadly, leading to this blog post. In addition to these reflections, I’d like to highlight three areas of contemplation from 2023:
1. Value Exchange: Recognize that the value you offer extends beyond monetary transactions. It’s not just about the product or output; it includes the conversations and interactions that clarify, offer different perspectives, address issues, and reveal underlying thoughts or logic. The true value lies in interactions that drive change, create momentum, or instil hope for issue resolution.
2. Energy Footprint: Understand the energy expended relative to the value exchanged. It’s not just about time and expertise but also about the emotional and mental energy invested. Some jobs may demand significant energy despite requiring minimal time or expertise due to factors such as people, organisational culture, problem nature, or challenge severity. How you’re treated, perceived in your role, or appreciated also influences energy exchange. Mismatches between time and energy investment can lead to feelings of being overworked, under-appreciated, or lacking value. It’s crucial to recognise that energy exchange is reciprocal and affects both personal well-being and work efficacy.
3. Energy Transfer: Acknowledge the energy gained and given in the delivery of work. Work consumes and replenishes energy; some tasks drain energy, while others replenish it. Depleting energy reserves can affect personal relationships and work performance. When you work with good people, with good workplace culture, delivering work you enjoy and is valued, you will always get more energy back than you put in. Engage in the work and people you enjoy, so you can bring your strengths, energy and momentum to help others.
Regardless of your employment type or sector, I hope these reflections resonate and offer valuable insights as we go about doing the work that we do. For us, and for others.
