It’s impossible to miss the simultaneous occurrence of two corporate trends. The first is the rise of the idea that to motivate employees you need to supply them with a “corporate purpose.” The second is the astronomical rise in CEO and senior executive pay.
Your Corporate Purpose Will Ring Hollow If the Company’s Actions Don’t Back It Up
Employees notice hypocrisy.
August 29, 2018
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Summary.
It’s impossible to miss the simultaneous occurrence of two corporate trends. The first is the rise of the idea that to motivate employees you need to supply them with a “corporate purpose.” The second is the astronomical rise in CEO and senior executive pay. But can leaders credibly talk “purpose” in an organization that pays its chiefs a fortune and treats its staff or other stakeholders badly? The goal of a purpose statement is to add another dimension to an organization, changing it from a purely transactional system to a relationship. In some organizations, it can inspire customers and motivate employees. But if your executives make a fortune while front-line workers can barely get by, or you’re squeezing (or even defrauding) customers, espousing a purpose will only get you into trouble. Instead of spending time crafting a purpose statement, get your corporate house in order. Otherwise your efforts might just be met with a collective “you-must-be-joking” response.