Now more than ever, companies are struggling to find, hire, and retain highly qualified employees that will, in turn, help your organization in building a sustainable business for the future. Very recently, there has been a massive change in the employment landscape. Individuals are changing how they evaluate potential employers—it’s no longer just about making good money.
Today’s workforce wants to feel good about their career choices and is beginning to seek opportunities with companies that fit their values. Value alignment is so important that 52% of workers would be willing to take a cut in pay to work at a company with similar values.
Back in 2018, Harvard Business Review conducted a study which identified what motivates employees most. The study determined that people value:
- Having a career with purpose.
- Establishing deeper connections in their communities.
- Having the ability to support causes that will make an impact.
We look at the three root causes of employee motivation—career, community, and cause—to better assess how your organization can inspire and engage your employees.
The Importance Of Career, Community & Cause
Career
Having a career involves more than just punching in and out at a job each day. Careers allow people to work with autonomy, utilize their strengths, and continue learning and developing new skills. A company that provides employees with careers rather than jobs will take time to assess their values, skills, and strengths.
Instead of allocating specific tasks to an employee, companies focused on careers provide individuals with ongoing support and training to enable continual growth. They encourage team members to set and achieve individual goals, ask questions, and find new opportunities (i.e., webinars, courses) to pick up new knowledge.
Providing careers instead of jobs increases intrinsic motivation among employees, resulting in a more positive and uplifting company culture.
Community
Community involves having a strong connection with other people in the workplace. A sense of community at a company helps employees to feel respected, cared for, and recognized by their peers.
Relationships are essential in all areas of people’s lives, and the workplace is no exception. When employees can work in a place where they experience a sense of community and belonging, they are more likely to be engaged in their work and motivated to perform well.
Cause
The third C, cause, provides employees with a purpose that’s greater than themselves or the work they do within their day job.
When organizations enable employees to assume a more active role on behalf of the company (beyond their regular hours), employees will feel more stimulated and joyous. For instance, Lexis Nexis Risk Solutions Group gives all of their employees two paid volunteer days a year to volunteer for any charity of their choice. In addition, the company also offers virtual fundraisers and smaller team events to encourage every employee to give back in some form.
In addition to encouraging corporate giving, be sure to show your employees the results of their efforts. This will communicate to them that they have made a difference in others’ lives and will motivate them to continue giving back.
A social impact platform serves a useful purpose here. A platform where employees can easily find local opportunities and have their efforts accurately tracked. Initiatives include making a charitable donation, volunteering for an event, or fundraising on behalf of a cause.
What Happens When All Are Not Met?
Regardless of age, position, or location, research shows that the majority of workers agree on the value and importance of cause, community, and career.
As explained in Denise M. Rousseau’s book, Psychological Contracts in Organizations: Understanding Written and Unwritten Agreements, the 3 Cs make up what’s known as the psychological contract. This contract is a set of unwritten expectations and obligations that employers and employees share.
If the psychological contract is fulfilled, employees will be eager to show up and put their best foot forward in the workplace. They will be more motivated and engaged. If the contract is not fulfilled and people do not feel that they have a career, a sense of community, and a cause, they are less satisfied and committed to their jobs.
It’s fine to just offer a strong community, a worthy cause, or a promising career. However, offering all three is even better if you want to inspire your employees and build a thriving and highly successful business.
A Social Impact Program To Inspire & Engage Employees
We have discussed the balancing act of employees wanting more than just a career; they desire to feel a sense of belonging to their colleagues (community), and they want to connect with charities and nonprofits to find a higher purpose (cause). However, what is one single program to help employees develop new skills, build strong connections with colleagues, and find a higher purpose?
A social impact program.
Unite your organization around a common purpose and provide employees with the freedom to give back on company time while cultivating valuable connections by building a social impact program.
Inspire And Engage Your Employees With Kambeo Hubs
Kambeo Hubs is changing how companies approach corporate social responsibility. Employees can find and connect with local opportunities, have those efforts measured, and share their progress with others through a social impact program.
The true power of the Kambeo is at the intersection of cause, community, and commerce. By bringing together these three pillars, Kambeo is connecting those who need help with those looking to help—giving an entire community of people who believe in social good a chance to support each other.
