Organisations are vibrant systems. Systems dependent on human relationships and resources. These systems need to be supported by clearly articulated intentions, working structures and adaptive strategies. The most common method to fix the success of a business is to declare goals and then deploy resources to achieve them. Goals help teams and individuals set clear targets and a sense of direction. A direction towards which they hope to fulfil objectives and derive mission outcomes. However, the question that arises is, are goals significant in the overall growth of the company? Do they support business needs?
To answer this, let us examine why goals are set. The common intentions for goal setting are:
- Derive a clear ‘score’ that needs to be achieved within a definite timeline.
- To enable effective communication of intended output for the business
- To facilitate various systems, converge on a common value outcome
- To ensure the business thrives on a clear metric of measurement
Another approach to achieve business objectives is to be purpose-driven. A purpose can be defined as the reason why an entity exists or activity is done. Organisations should clearly articulate the purpose for which the business exists and more importantly, what does that purpose fulfil. Stating a clear purpose may not be that simple for most enterprises have no clarity on the ‘Why’ of their existence. As complex as it may seem, being purposeful is actually a simple and effective way of being successful.
A purpose-driven organization will endure more than a goal-oriented one due to the following attributes:
- A purpose demands a foundation based on belief and values. Unlike goals, which are only directional and ‘action-centric’, a purpose serves as a moral compass that calls for self-introspection and needs to be calibrated regularly.
- The purpose is complimentary with commitment. If an organization has a clear purpose of its intentions, commitment automatically gets generated. Purpose begets commitment as a by-product. Goals, on the other hand, need the commitment to be created and sought for. When one strives for a goal, one needs to work on commitment also.
- Purpose-driven actions are more overarching. They encompass the bigger picture of the systemic process. Purpose also instils a sense of intrinsic responsibility and accountability. Goals are often more narrowed down. They serve to achieve specific, defined and clear outcomes, however, ownership for achieving them are often blurred and left to translation.
- Purpose creates fulfilment. Goals create satisfaction.
In the market today, it is important for companies to be purpose-driven. They need to clearly define WHY they need to exist. To get this, the most suitable and effective medium to adopt is an Agile mindset.
Agile inherently sows the seeds of purpose in each of the activities that occur in the organization. Agile, in its very design, encourages purpose-driven activities. In an Agile environment, goals are not important, the purpose of working is. Goals, if at all are set only to serve as a means to fulfil the committed purpose. The Agile mindset does not get influenced by keeping individual scores but focuses more on encouraging common purposes. Purpose orientation defines the WHY of the business, and this is central to a well-designed Agile program.
Understanding Agile and implementation of a well-designed Agile transformation process create purpose-driven values outcome. Instead of just being goal-driven, the enterprise exists with a purpose. A purpose which fosters human relationships and encourages inclusivity. At Leadership Tribe, our Agile implementation strategy are purpose-driven than goal-driven. We strive to find a purpose for the organization. A purpose on which the organization can enunciate its operational strategies. We believe, that mere goal setting limits us in the transformation process. Goals just create expectations and actions that get directional. We believe in Purpose. The reason to exist. We serve to support organizations to be fulfilled in their success. A fulfilment that comes from a deep sense of purpose.
