The right question's to ask at work: What?
Continuing from the previous newsletter, this is a 2/3-part series on Why, How, What
Two weeks ago, we discussed the Golden Circle by Simon Sinek and conducted a poll to gauge interest in learning more about how to think through the following questions:
- What is the purpose of the organization that I work for?
- Are my roles and responsibilities more focused on determining the why, how, or what?
- Do I enjoy working the most with the why, how, or what of my organization, and is this aligned with my roles and responsibilities?
Given the overwhelming response to the poll (😀), let's explore the second question in this three-part series: Can I better understand the nature of the roles & responsibilities assigned to me?
Knowing the nature of your job is crucial. It can motivate you to keep developing your skills or inspire you to pivot to a new role that's more in line with your passions (which we'll cover in part 3). For instance, if you're on the strategic team, you're focused on the "Why" of the organization. If you're a P&L head or team leader, it's all about the "How" – the processes and procedures that make your firm stand out. And if you're in product design, pricing, or packaging, it's all about the "What" – the products or services that your company sells.
But of course, these roles aren't always mutually exclusive. Sometimes you'll have to work on all three aspects. Take a salesperson in a B2B industry, for instance – they need to communicate all three aspects to existing and potential customers!
Next time you're at your desk or in a meeting, take a moment to think about your role based on the above framework. And if you're a division head or team leader, understanding this framework can help you assign the right team members to each role, boosting efficiency and morale.
Next week, we'll talk about discovering what kind of work you enjoy the most and if your assigned roles align with it (and what to do if they don't 😅). In the meantime, understanding the "Why," "How," and "What" of your organization can help you align your goals with its mission and vision, leading to greater job satisfaction and success.
So, keep pushing forward and Shoot for the top!