Call to Action for Class of 2019 Applies to the Workplace

Christine Johnson on
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My nephew graduated from high school a couple of weeks ago.  While I was looking forward to seeing him graduate, I was not necessarily looking forward to the rest of the ceremony.  However, I was pleasantly surprised with many of the speeches, especially the principal’s call to action.

He started by sharing with us that this was his first year at this nearly 3K-student high school.  Surviving that alone was impressive.  As he continued, you could feel his enthusiasm and genuine commitment to sending his students out beyond high school with more than general congratulations and a reminder “do great things” in their lives.

Call to Action

The principal challenged the Class of 2019 on 3 specific calls to actions:

  • He explained to them why they needed CONNECTIONS. He said that no matter how great one person is, their strength is grown exponentially whey they connect with people.  In person.  He explained that these authentic relationships can create a network that raises people up in times of need, positively challenges them when they need innovation, motivation or direction, and provides a listening ear or serve as a mentor.  He reminded students that their phones are not a substitute for face-to-face interactions.  (Stop checking your phone.  This is only a 4-minute read.)
  • He encouraged the students to be MINDFUL in the awareness of themselves. He suggested living in the moment, being grounded, and managing stress before it manages them.  Because he addressed the importance of mindful living practices with students as part of a graduation speech, both the students and the parents heard the power these tools can have as part of a successful life.  (A few deep breaths with a calming word could do you some good right now.)
  • He challenged the students to be PURPOSEFUL in their actions. Go to college, find a career, but also find those activities that drive you, feed your soul and incorporate them into your goals.  For without purpose, the rest simply becomes activities to fill the days.  Without purpose, a significant part of their lives could be missing.  (What feeds your soul at work or at home?)
“Go to college, find a career, but also find those activities that drive you, feed your soul and incorporate them into your goals.  For without purpose, the rest simply becomes activities to fill the days.”

It was refreshing hearing a principal challenge his students with words that were not only focused on college.

Couldn’t we all gain from hearing his calls to action? Especially in the workplace.

Productivity is important.  So is profitability and organizational success.  But if all of this comes at the expense of failing to give our employees an opportunity to grow connections, take care of their wellbeing, and find purpose in what they do inside and outside of the workplace, are we developing sustainable organizations that:

  • Create great places to work?
  • Cultivate talent at both the professional and personal levels?
  • Care about the deeper meaning of work beyond collecting paychecks?

As employers, we expect employees to adopt these 3-C’s when they are hired.  As employers, we often ignore them once the employee is on the roster.

When was the last time your organization looked at your workplace to see if you are creating a well-rounded workplace environment where employees can thrive?

Image Credit: Pixabay.com

 

Christine Johnson
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