Employees with a sense of purpose are more likely to not only stay with a company but also thrive in their work.  Employers can foster a sense of purpose throughout the company by connecting employees’ work to the company’s mission, and by creating opportunities that allow employees to share their gifts.  

Learn more about the importance of purpose within your worksite and see what Blue Zones Project Approved^TM Worksites have done to support employee well-being and foster a sense of purpose.

• Communicate annually with employees on their value to the overall organization.
• Regularly recognize work and achievements to keep employees motivated. Host a monthly all-staff meeting to bring employees of all levels together and hear the successes across the company.
• Connect with employees on a deeper level to talk story. Offer a “Lunch with a Leader” or “Walk with a Leader” to create regular opportunities to connect with employees in a relaxed setting. 

“Purpose. Your aim. Your reason for being. Your reason for getting up in the morning.” - Richard J. Leider, The Power of Purpose

Pictured above is Hale Koa Hotel’s monthly all-staff meeting where employees at all levels receive recognition by upper management for their excellence. At this event, the GM told the story of a bakery chef (pictured on far right) saving a couple’s wedding cake and how those acts contribute to the hotel’s pride and prestige. While this may seem like a small feat, taking the time to acknowledge positive performance allows employees to connect more deeply to their purpose within an organization.

Identify and Activate Hidden Talents or Gifts

Gifts are an individual’s strengths or the natural aptitudes they are born with and truly enjoy. When gifts are used, an individual feels empowered and motivated by a task or activity. When creating opportunities to engage your team or planning a fun team activity beyond normal job duties, look toward your employees to uncover and activate their gifts and hidden talents.

• Leverage employees to host team activities.  Ask employees what their interests are. You may find a yogi who might want to lead yoga sessions for staff, or an environmentalist who might want to lead a beach cleanup. Maybe you’ll find someone who enjoys origami and would like to share their passion for this calming activity with others.
• Allow employees to create and lead Social Moais (Clubs).  Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), interest groups, and clubs are fantastic ways for like-minded colleagues to connect around common purposes much like Okinawa’s Moais. Blue Zones Project Worksites have formed Tennis Clubs, Knitting Clubs, Veterans’ ERGs, and Young Professional groups.

Provide Opportunities to Volunteer and Give Back to Community

The community response to the devastating Maui fires have shown that volunteerism is a wonderful concept that brings community together and contributes to hope, resiliency and recovery. Employers who provide opportunities for employees to contribute to meaningful causes, such as the Maui wildfires, experience stronger employee engagement, heightened employee loyalty and morale, and provides support to those in need. Volunteering or giving back to community is not only a great way for employees to share their gifts and live on purpose, but it also connects the organization to the greater community.

• Host or promote at least one annual charity drive. Getting teams connected to a charity to give back together provides meaningful connections. Consider matching contributions to show that the organization stands in solidarity with both the cause they are fundraising for, and the team members they are asking to contribute.
• Create an annual Global Day of Service that mobilizes large portions of the workforce to connect with their community. This can serve as both camaraderie and culture-building, as well as a positive way to make a difference beyond the service the company provides.
• Consider partnering with local organizations that align with your company’s mission. Blue Zones Project Worksites have partnered up on beach cleanups, lo'i and fishpond restorations, food drives, community beautification projects, and even volunteering with neighboring schools.
  
• Provide opportunities for employees to connect and contribute to charitable institutions such as Hawaii Community Foundation or Aloha United Way.
• Encourage and support volunteering. Set up or share volunteer activities to support a community organization. Kanu Hawaii is an excellent portal for people looking for volunteer opportunities suited to their interests and passions.
• Consider formalizing a volunteer policy or program (check out this sample policy kindly provided by Blue Zones Certified Worksite, Hawaiian Telcom).

Hawaiian Dredging Construction Company’s Day of Caring sees dozens of employees dedicating their time and materials to projects like installing Waianae Coast Comprehensive Health Care’s parking lot.

BZP Approved Worksite, Hawai’i Community College – Pālamanui, hosts a Service Day for staff, students and community.

The response from community members on Maui and across the nation have been nothing short of inspiring and has served as an example of what it means to “live aloha.” Individuals and organizations across the state have stepped up without hesitation to kokua (to help others without expecting anything in return) those in need. Mahalo to everyone who continues to contribute and support Maui during this difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with Maui. 

Donations from people and organizations across Oahu piled high at the State Capitol on August 11, 2023. Volunteers helped collect and organize donations being dropped off for those affected by the Maui wildfires.

Volunteer, Uncover Your Gifts & Find Your Purpose Today!
Join us and encourage your employees to participate in our FREE virtual events. There are two upcoming opportunities for you and your staff to gain a deeper understanding of purpose and volunteering. Spend time to reflect on where you are today, uncover your gifts, and identify opportunities to volunteer and put your gifts into practice. If you’ve attended a workshop before, join us again and refine what you’ve already uncovered.

Volunteering: Benefiting Your Community & Your Well-being by Miss Aloha Hawai'i, Kaili Yuen
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
 RSVP HERE

Blue Zones Project Purpose Workshop
Monday, September 18, 2023
 10:45 AM – 12:15 PM
RSVP HERE