Alignment of Purpose . . . Which Way Now?

Some will see the boss or a large group moving in one direction and change theirs to go along with them. Others end up standing by themselves. Still others stop when they encounter a table or some other obstacle. I see some pointing at the ceiling but have never seen anyone end up there.

Of course, we have a good laugh but there is a purpose to everything I do, and the purpose here is . . . purpose.

Everything we do in life (or in an organisation) should have a purpose. Otherwise, it is not worth doing. A life without purpose is like being in a boat with no sail, no motor, no oars, no rudder, and left to the mercy of the currents, wind and tides.

As pointed out in this exercise, in an organisation where people or various departments are not aligned in purpose (rowing the boat in the same direction) there is chaos.

Who is responsible for establishing the purpose of an organisation?

The captain, the MD.

Everyone in every department must clearly understand what that purpose is and how they can contribute towards attaining it.

We each must first determine our own personal purpose (the goal), then attain it. A mutual alignment of purpose between those of the individual and the organisation is the ideal. "How can I help the company achieve its purposes and how can the company help me attain mine?"

By Dr Bill Gould

Human resources director

Wall Street Institute, Thailand

www.wallstreet.in.th