When we spend the most time and effort on the things in life that give us the most meaning and purpose, we are transformed. This is especially true for work, where we are often making the largest investments in time and effort. In fact, when our work gives us a level of meaning and purpose that matches our investment in time and effort, magic happens. Our life seems to fall more neatly into place.

Research recently conducted by the LRI’s Research Services Team (RST) produced some compelling insights into the impact of meaningful work on our lives. Specifically, the research examined how the meaning we get from our work affects our PriorityGrid scores that are gathered through the Engage® and Restore® assessments. PriorityGrid scores capture the alignment between the things that give you meaning and purpose in life (such as your family, work, and hobbies) and where you are spending your time and effort. Higher PriorityGrid scores mean you are leading a more aligned life by focusing your energy on the things that generate the most meaning and purpose.

Our research on meaningful work and PriorityGrid scores identified three clear and compelling findings:

• PriorityGrid Scores were higher for those ranking their Primary Job higher than other sources of meaning and purpose (r = +.56, p<.001).
• PriorityGrid Scores were higher for those with more aligned rankings on their Primary Job’s “meaning and purpose” and “time and effort” (r = +.58, p<.001).
• People with the strongest alignment in their Primary Job rankings had 36% higher PriorityGrid Scores than those with the weakest alignment (average PriorityGrid scores of 87 and 64, respectively).

The net of these results is that finding greater meaning in your work means greater alignment on other priorities in your life. Further, if you are not getting the meaning and purpose out of your work that matches the investments in time and effort, then you need to either find more meaning in your work or find another job that does.

Take Action!

1. Get your PriorityGrid Score by taking the Engage® or Restore® assessments at www.credible-leader.shop.
2. Reflect on the sources of meaning you get from your work. Identify the elements of your work that make meaning in your life, and which elements take meaning from your life.
3. As a leader, know what people value and find meaningful, and assign tasks in ways that connect to these values.

This research supports the Restore® Initiative, LRI’s campaign to encourage people to take a critical and constructive look at their own engagement (the Engage® Battery), and to learn about restorative leadership behaviors that help to recharge one’s own and others’ engagement (the Restore® Battery). The sample consisted of 330 full-time employees who recently completed the Restore® assessment. For more information, email credible-leader@lri.com or click on www.credible-leader.com.