Why purposeful work matters – a call to action
Chris Dodds explores the importance of purposeful work and why working for a purpose has become a necessity to him, not only from a reputational perspective but to fit his organisation’s ethical beliefs.
We all have a degree of agency in our lives. Every morning we wake and decide what we’re going to do with our day. We’re free to choose who we work for, the types of services or projects we help deliver, and if we’re going to be comfortable with the outcome.
Choice is empowering, but it also comes with enormous responsibility.
Aristotle urged us to ask: “What type of person should I be?”
His ethical system encouraged us to seek a balance between the vices of excess and deficiency. To be courageous but not reckless; to be charitable; to enjoy life but not drift into vulgarity or overconsumption; to be proud but self-effacing; to express honesty with tactfulness; to admit error and not fear shame; and most importantly to seek the “golden mean” or the middle ground.
Thanks for sharing your sentiments ‘Get over yourself’. Bring on the crumble (sans emotional damage), and the baked beans! But in all seriousness my point isn’t about not selling. It’s about choosing. We’ve personally chosen to work on campaigns that help people access mental health services, reduce still births, and make government services more accessible for people with a disability. Our shared industry isn’t just commerce.
If people actually stop and think about what they achieve every day then the the whole industry would crumble mentally and emotionally at the realisation that the job is 90% selling more baked beans or chocolate bar and the other 10% is updating WIP documents.
Stop pretending marketing and ads can change the world. All of you will do exactly the opposite if there is a buck in it.
Hey anonymous critic,
In my now considerable experience of being a change-maker I’ve noticed that most good is achieved by people willing to share, co-operate, check their egos, and be really genuine in focussing on and owning how their decisions create a better (or worse) world. It’s often confronting because to do this well means being honest about your own mistakes and then not repeating them.
Of course, it’s often the hardest knocks that produce the best people. And we never know what others are carrying. So, above all, kindness matters.
What doesn’t create good in the world are the haters, the shade-throwers, and those who choose to sit on the sidelines hurling doubt and negative criticism onto those who do act, to the best of their abilities, for a better world. These peeps are like pot holes, serving no purpose, just impeding those on the journey.
I hope you discover more kindness in your day and avoid the pot holes. We’ve all got better things to do today.
Cheers, Jo Dodds
(Yes, I’m his big sister)
Love you big sis.
Love you back, little bro x
A mumbrella article that quotes Aristotle, love it! Refreshing read.