B E N C H M A R K I N T E R N AT I O N A L
WHAT IS MEANINGFUL WORK?
WHAT I S M EA NI NGF UL WORK?
Benchmark International
For many people, work fulfils a desire to be part of something meaningful or to contribute to a cause bigger than themselves. Through work, people seek a connection with others and a sense of purpose that a pay cheque alone cannot achieve. As such, there is a growing need within employees to find meaning in the work they perform.
2
QUALITIES OF MEANINGFUL WORK According to research conducted by Professor of Management Katie Bailey (University of Sussex) five qualities distinguish meaningful work. These include:
Self-Transcendent: This quality highlights how people will view work as more meaningful if it impacts others. For example, a refuse collector may see their contribution to keeping the streets clean as something that benefits their family.
Episodic: Meaningful work is not experienced daily; a feeling of accomplishment occurs periodically or according to the situation at hand. Personal: Intensely personal feelings or desires often drive people’s motivation to find meaning in their work. Reflective: People experience the meaningfulness of their work retrospectively rather than ‘in the moment’. It is often upon reflection that the connection between accomplishment and meaning becomes clear.
Benchmark International
Poignant: Meaningful work is not always associated with positive experiences, and poignant moments can be associated with mixed or uncomfortable feelings.
3
To l e a r n m o r e a b o u t t h i s t o p i c , v i s i t t h e Benchmark International blog.