You don’t have to work hard to build a case for the value of clear mission and vision statements. We need them to guide our organizations and our personal lives.

But sometimes it’s good to pause and ponder, “What sits beneath those well-crafted sentences we put on our website and hang on the wall?”

We recently had a conversation about that at Workmatters. A simple dream fuels our mission and vision: Your work matters. Then we explored several questions to help us consider what is at stake if we give up on that dream.

What happens when people don’t know their work matters?

• -They are disengaged and don’t take initiative. They typically won’t work through difficulties but quickly seek another job. They get cynical, become distrustful, and restless. They are unfulfilled and operate transactionally. They will also silo themselves, withholding their unique perspectives, gifts, and ideas. They start to believe the lie that they aren’t useful, valued, or significant. There is less of a chance they will appreciate the work of others. It can lead to being disheartened and even depressed.

Who would sign up for that? And yet, that’s what so many people settle for, resigning themselves to 40 years of drudgery, monotony, and purposeless work.

What happens to companies when their people don’t know their work matters?

• -They have management issues, poor morale, and constantly must find ways to motivate – often settling on fear. They get stuck in the exhausting and expensive cycle of hire > onboard > train > replace. They miss out on potential new ideas that solve problems for the benefit of everyone. They become less efficient and less profitable. And customer relationships and service tanks.

Does that sound like a company you want to be part of? Not me, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Our organization and our team must keep asking the question:

What if everyone headed out to work today knowing that their work matters…matters to them, matters to God, and matters for the good of the world? And by knowing, I mean they intellectually understand it, feel the truth of it in the depths of their being, and live into it with their attitudes and actions.

• –Individuals would thrive. They would have the perspective that they were working “for the Lord and not human masters.” They would discern times of transition rather than running from problems at work. They are less territorial and more likely to be a team player. They would see themselves as a valuable part of the business. They would step into areas of brokenness rather than blame or deflect responsibility. They would be salt and light.
• –Companies would prosper. They would experience greater retention, morale, and investment from their team. With less turnover they could spend more time and energy developing their people.

Imagine that!

Wait – you don’t have to just imagine it. We can help you and your organization. “What if…” is the dream that drives us.