Man’s Search for Meaning

Psychology’s rich research into man’s search for meaning indelibly maps to an organization’s mission statement. Virtually all of the language and research applies. In that milieu, mission statements are not as as emotional as they could be, nor do they hold vital, central positions in the daily lives of most organizational behavior.

Hiking in the Crevasse formation in Illecillewaet Glacier, Selkirk Mountains

To use another complex system as example, the ant colony never doubts its vital meaning or purpose. Each ant understands how to contribute to the colony and adapts its behavior accordingly depending on the situation and its communication with other members. Conversely, it is almost impossible to guess an organization’s mission from inspecting its structure, and it varies comparatively little over time regardless of its situation or external environment.

The potential for organizations is to utilize the characteristics and method of personal meaning to forge more appropriate, richer, deeper mission statements and utilize them more practically in daily activities. We are assured from the research that it is well worth the integrative effort[i].

There is every reason that a more integrative mission is a productive endeavor in corporate affairs. After all, measures of increased associate engagement also reveal increased emotional investment. This is not surprising. We are hard wired to drive towards a purpose, and our social nature, our need for belonging, leads us to do so in teams and groups. Associates are not inspired by reason or salaries alone. In fact, they are poor substitutes.

Frankl’s and other psychological research teaches us that when we invest ourselves in a mission we gain contentment and richness and peace of mind. It does us no good to directly strive for these things. It does us no good to chase happiness, potency, profitability, or success. These are byproducts of a meaningful existence, not goals.

Likewise, it makes little sense to say the ant is engaged from a management science perspective. Like the pig producing bacon for breakfast, the ant is committed in every sense virtually by being there. Organizations have the same opportunity; to infuse their mission into the organization and its structure.

Currently priority centers on missions and governance rules which conform to regulations, and reliance on leadership to model and inspire. That is not to say that these guidelines are not useful. But they are the beginning, not the end. These activities act on the business. It allows Associates to remain the involved chicken laying eggs for breakfast. The secret is to inject the mission in the business. Like the pig, we need commitment. That necessitates a change in structure.

Meaning of Organizations

Organizations are organisms. Their meaning and purpose is derived in the same way as for humans. They are not solely driven by profits or fame. They must have an emotionally satisfying purpose or struggle lifelessly, ethically, and morally.

Especially when organizations are in trouble financially, it is imperative to rediscover their meaning, their essence. This process is only partly a financial one. It is easy enough to perform financial and statistical analyses to determine what the organization does well.

But the rational exercise is only part of the project. Invariably an organization in trouble has lost its focus on its essential spiritual meaning. And until it finds it again, and infuses that meaning into the lifeblood of the organization, it will continue to limp along at half speed, vulnerable to any number of threats or viruses it meets.

Organizations are also complex systems. They are more than the sum of their parts. To become more adaptable and successfully evolve, their missions must be more apparent in their structures.