How can you help team members find purpose beyond the project?

As an engineering manager, you know that your team members are not just working on a project, but also pursuing a purpose. A purpose that aligns with their values, passions, and aspirations. A purpose that motivates them to overcome challenges, learn new skills, and collaborate with others. A purpose that transcends the project and connects them to a bigger vision. But how can you help them find and nurture that purpose beyond the project? Here are some tips to guide you.

1 Understand their why

The first step to help your team members find purpose beyond the project is to understand their why. Why did they choose engineering as a career? What are their personal and professional goals? What are their strengths and interests? What are their values and beliefs? By asking these questions, you can get to know them better and discover what drives them. You can also use tools like the Ikigai framework or the Golden Circle model to help them articulate their why.

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Gonzalo Mattar

Director of Engineering at DRAIVER | CTO as service (CAS) | CTO | startup-aholic
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As Engineering Manager you need to understand their why. When I create a team I like create 1:1s meetings to understand this focus. From my experience I see 2 types of why´s: 1- people want to do the work contributing to the organization's mission and the impact it has on customers, the community, or the industry. 2- people want to developr their personal growth goals.

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2 Align their purpose with the project

The next step is to align their purpose with the project. How does the project relate to their why? How does it contribute to their growth and development? How does it support their vision and mission? How does it make a positive impact on the world? By answering these questions, you can help them see the bigger picture and the meaning behind their work. You can also use tools like the OKR framework or the SMART goal setting method to help them define and measure their progress.

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Owen Fernandes Ph.D., MBA, ICF-ACC, ICP-LEA, ICP-ENT

Enterprise Agility Coach | Leadership Development | Author | ICAgile Authorized Instructor | Certified SAFe 6.0 Agilist | EMCC member | ICP-ACC| Ambassador-DASA(DevOps Agile Skills Association)
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Alignment is KEY. Most people don't look deeper into this and thus suffer a myriad of issues including boredom, monotony, lack of energy, etc. I would encourage team members to reflect on their personal values and see how their work aligns with these values. Understanding this alignment can significantly enhance their sense of purpose. Whenever possible, I would involve them in projects that resonate with their personal values or contribute to the greater good.

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3 Encourage their autonomy and creativity

The third step is to encourage their autonomy and creativity. How can you give them more freedom and flexibility in how they work? How can you empower them to make decisions and take ownership of their tasks? How can you foster a culture of innovation and experimentation? How can you support their learning and growth? By doing these things, you can help them unleash their potential and express their purpose. You can also use tools like the Agile methodology or the Design Thinking process to help them work in an iterative and collaborative way.

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Ludwig Wullner

Senior Department Head - Software Deployment @McDonald's
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Provide freedom and flexibility: Offer flexibility in work arrangements and encourage experimentation with different approaches to problem-solving. Allow team members to choose their own methods and tools, empowering them to work in ways that suit their strengths and preferences. Delegate decision-making: Entrust team members with decision-making authority relevant to their roles and tasks. Encourage them to take ownership of their work and make independent decisions, providing guidance and support as needed.

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4 Celebrate their achievements and contributions

The fourth step is to celebrate their achievements and contributions. How can you recognize and appreciate their efforts and results? How can you showcase and share their work with others? How can you reward and incentivize them for their performance and behavior? How can you create a sense of belonging and community? By doing these things, you can help them feel valued and proud of their purpose. You can also use tools like the Feedback Loop or the Kudos system to help them give and receive feedback and recognition.

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5 Inspire them with your purpose

The fifth step is to inspire them with your purpose. How can you model and communicate your why? How can you demonstrate your passion and enthusiasm for the project? How can you influence and persuade them to join your cause? How can you mentor and coach them to achieve their goals? By doing these things, you can help them connect and align with your purpose. You can also use tools like the Storytelling technique or the Simon Sinek's Start With Why approach to help them understand and relate to your purpose.

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6 Challenge them with new opportunities

The sixth step is to challenge them with new opportunities. How can you expose them to different perspectives and experiences? How can you stretch and push them out of their comfort zone? How can you help them discover and explore new possibilities and potentials? How can you help them prepare and adapt to change and uncertainty? By doing these things, you can help them grow and evolve their purpose. You can also use tools like the SWOT analysis or the Growth Mindset concept to help them assess and improve their situation and mindset.

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Ludwig Wullner

Senior Department Head - Software Deployment @McDonald's
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Capabilities are stretched by assigning projects that push folks out of their comfort zones, with support provided to navigate unfamiliar challenges. Encouraging curiosity and experimentation fosters exploration of new possibilities, creating space for innovation workshops and brainstorming sessions. Moreover, preparing people for change and uncertainty entails providing guidance and mentorship and promoting a growth mindset that embraces challenges as opportunities for learning and development.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How can you help team members find purpose beyond the project?

1

2

3

4

5

6

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1 Understand their why

2 Align their purpose with the project

3 Encourage their autonomy and creativity

4 Celebrate their achievements and contributions

5 Inspire them with your purpose

6 Challenge them with new opportunities

7 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Management

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How can you help team members find purpose beyond the project?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Understand their why

2 Align their purpose with the project

3 Encourage their autonomy and creativity

4 Celebrate their achievements and contributions

5 Inspire them with your purpose

6 Challenge them with new opportunities

7 Here’s what else to consider

Engineering Management

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