Meaningful Workplaces: Reframing How and Where We Work

Finding Your Purpose

Maslow’s concept of self actualization (1971) was based on values concerned with working toward a higher cause, meaningfulness, and life purpose. After establishing his hierarchy of needs, he explored the meaning of work. He described “being” values, referred to as B values: truth, transcendence, goodness, uniqueness, aliveness, justice, richness, and meaningfulness. Values are the foundation of life purpose. Unfortunately, many of us are not consciously aware of our own values. So the act of looking for a job or considering a career is one of making a good living rather than living a good life. Instead we use external criteria such as income potential, status, and image (Imel, 2002).

There are numerous books and articles ...