What should we look for?
WE ALL work for a reason and the reasons can be as different as the individuals that we are. For most of us our work is our identity and when we lose that we feel as if we have lost ourselves. Hence, when we are desperately job-hunting, any post that even remotely hints at requiring someone with our skills and qualifications, feels as if it were designed for us. We invest so much of ourselves in our work that it is easy to make believe that our jobs are perfect as is the organisation we are slogging for. So much for that utopian ideal!
However, if one were ever to conduct a `spiritual audit' not many companies will pass muster. Behind all that talk about values and vision, most organisations are profit driven, high - pressure centres that consider your paycheck a trade off for your soul. So even while you continue poring over job advertisements looking for that `one perfect job', make sure you look beyond the obvious perks and pay cheques for a company that is worth your commitment.
While we often contemplate and wonder if we are good enough for the organisation, never do we look at the fact if the organisation is worth us. We all look for companies that can offer us `growth, success and a lucrative pay cheque', but how often do we feel the need to look for a place that will offer us something more, that recognises employee needs and desires beyond the workplace - be it children, aged parents or even time for personal interests. Do we, in short ever look for organisations that are spiritually rich?
There are a few things that make organisations spiritually rich:
Trust: If there is no mutual trust and belief in each other's abilities, then no organisation can have happy employees. Respect, trust and a sense of belonging are the all too important ingredients.
Open communication: across the organisation, internally and externally
Congruity: strong value system practised by all, consistently
Leadership: competent at all levels and good organisational skills
If an organisation can boast of these four attributes one can be sure that it will be flexible, responsive and respectful of employee needs. At the heart of every good organisation there should be a culture that promotes discipline, growth and values its people the most. However, one can never know a company's culture until one has worked there for a while.
For starters, you can look out for simple things that are a dead giveaway like: is there a healthy team spirit, do people respect each other, what is the hierarchy like, is there free and informal communication, is the working environment relaxed or formal, the degree of camaraderie between the seniors and junior workers etc These small details can easily tell you the kind of organisation you are working for. For instance, an organisation may have introduced new technologies, new facilities and policies for more flexible working but if it remains wedded to the values and management methods of the past, very little can be achieved.
Some other factors to look for:
Does it provide a work/life balance?
Working environment/ and performance
Is there a policy of inclusion or exclusion?
What is the company history?
The aim of all good organisations has to be the reconciliation of the organisational purpose with the needs and feelings of its people. At the same time they should have the probity to be able to empathise, be compassionate and truthful. It should foster diversity and tolerate personal preferences. Traditional and inward looking management thinking may not be able to fulfil all these aspects.
Rewards and recognition should be part of the organisational policy. Know on what basis the rewards are given; look for organisational stability and security.
When you make that all important decision to work for an organisation, make sure that you look for the things that will bring you joy in your work and it's a fit that matches you perfectly. It is these factors that will provide the motivation for you to make continued contribution and is worth identifying with.
MP
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