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What do Southwest Airlines and U2 have in common? While it’s true, U2 needs transportation for its
tours, the connection is both organizations have found a sustainable way to balance purpose, people, and profits. This week's
podcast is from our webinar with Margaret Benefiel, PH.D author and Frank Falk producer on CBC radio. They both shared their
perspectives on how individuals and companies can manage balancing their basic needs and wants in this current
economy.
Margaret researched more than 1000 companies, including Southwest Airlines and U2, to identify ways to balance the needs of
the individual and corporation. Her research, shared in her book Soul at Work, shows that companies that were
able to combine purpose with profit while respecting the needs of the individual consistently produced superior results.
Southwest Airlines is the only US airline that as been profitable every year since 1973. U2 stands apart for the integrity
of their sound while using their artistic influence to make a difference. U2 guitarist, Edge shared with Margaret, "It's nice to
feel that the music and the culture that's grown up around the music, would be a catalyst for other people to do something." You
may be wondering: how does this work in the real world? In my company we’re not integrating our values. Can one individual make a
difference and impact their organization to help facilitate a balance between profit and people?
Margaret shared in her book 4 key ways that an employee can make a difference in their organization to influence and
nurture:
- You are empowered; No matter where you are in your organization, you have a group of people that you are influencing.
Change always happens in an organization one-on-one and spreads outwards.
- Listen for Soul; The key way that soul is manifested is in the pride of workmanship that happens in the workplace. Great
work not only impacts the bottom line, but is the proof in the pudding to leadership. It is the most credible and effective
way to celebrate the human spirit.
- Don’t go it alone; Enlist partners inside and outside the organization to help and hold you accountable, as you seek to
find practical ways to integrate values in your position. We are better than me.
- Patience in peril; There will always be difficult times at work, it is in the midst of those moments that you need to
stay the course with your values. Crisis is most often the greatest window of opportunity to make a difference.
Companies with a purpose produce more profits, have less turnover, and employees are more satisfied in their work and make
this a better world to live in. This creates an impact much greater than the bottom line.
Looking for a work situation that is a good fit? Need help with a professional resume,
job search and interview coaching? Invest in yourself; get the edge in this competitive job
market.
A catalyst, along the road with you!
Alan
Alan Kearns, Canada's Career Coach, is the founder of CareerJoy: The Career Coaching Company. He is one of Canada's
foremost experts on all things relating to careers. Alan has more than 17 years of experience coaching professionals with
successful career decisions. Alan was voted one of the Top 40 entrepreneurs under the age of 40 and is the author of Get the
Right Job.
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