The Intermediary –- June 2026 - Flipbook - Page 94
B RO K E R B U S I N E S S
Opinion
Don’t sleepwalk,
meaning matters
N
ot so long ago, few
people talked about
meaning at work.
Success was measured
by the boom line,
shareholder value,
promotion and status. Today, the
conversation has changed.
People increasingly want to
understand why they do what they do.
They are looking for purpose, impact
and contribution. They no longer
want to spend decades working solely
for financial rewards, postponing
fulfilment until retirement. Meaning
has become something people seek
now, not later.
Yet many professionals still
sleepwalk through their careers. They
pursue advancement without ever
questioning whether the way they
spend their working lives aligns with
what truly maers to them.
This is where Positive Psychology
has much to offer. Its purpose is not
simply to help people feel happier,
but to help them live more successful
and meaningful lives by developing
self-awareness and fostering
positive experiences.
Meaning begins with insight.
It requires us to understand what
maers most and then find ways to
express those values.
Importantly, meaning is not a
luxury. Research examining the
relationship between life purpose and
mortality has demonstrated a striking
connection. Individuals with a strong
sense of purpose – defined as a selforganising life aim that stimulates
goals – have significantly beer health
outcomes than those without one.
In some studies, people lacking
a clear sense of purpose were
substantially more likely to die
prematurely, particularly from
cardiovascular disease, regardless of
education, income, race or gender
What creates meaning varies
enormously from person to person.
The specific purpose is less important
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The Intermediary | June 2026
than having one. A sense of meaning
acts as a powerful driver of wellbeing,
resilience and engagement.
Early in a career, meaning may
be linked to tangible goals: buying
a home, supporting a family or
achieving financial security. As those
needs are met, however, many people
begin asking deeper questions about
impact and legacy.
Traditional motivational theories
have sometimes encouraged a linear
view of human needs. The assumption
has been that people must satisfy
practical and social needs before they
can focus on purpose and meaning.
Organisations have oen reflected
this thinking, treating meaning as
something employees pursue outside
work through hobbies, volunteering
or personal interests.
Modern thinking suggests
otherwise. Rather than progressing
through a hierarchy of needs, many
people seek fulfilment across multiple
dimensions simultaneously. They
want financial security, belonging,
achievement and meaning at the
same time.
This shi has important
implications for leadership. Great
leaders understand people’s desire
to be part of something larger than
themselves. They recognise that
employees want to understand how
their role contributes to a wider
purpose, rather than focusing solely
on the minutiae of day-to-day activity.
Creating meaning at work does
not require grand gestures. It oen
comes from simple but consistent
behaviours, such as engaging
genuinely with employees, weeking
their perspectives and ideas, listening
with curiosity rather than judgement.
and helping people connect their work
to a larger purpose.
Organisations that embed meaning
into their culture move beyond being
solely profit-making enterprises.
They become forces for positive
impact, creating value not only for
AVERIL LEIMON
is co-founder
at White Water Group
shareholders but also for employees,
customers and communities.
Your legacy statement
One of the most powerful exercises
I use in coaching is to ask people to
imagine they are speaking to a future
grandchild. Tell the story of your life.
Celebrate your achievements.
Acknowledge the strengths that
enabled them. Resist the temptation
to dismiss your accomplishments as
insignificant or assume that anyone
could have achieved the same results.
They could not have done them in
quite the way you did.
Then dra a legacy statement by
reflecting on:
Values: The principles that guide
your life and decisions.
Beliefs: The truths that shape your
perspective.
Aspirations: The impact you hope to
make.
Lessons Learned: The wisdom
gained through experience.
Memorable Stories: The moments
that best illustrate your character.
Contribution: The causes and
communities you have supported.
Relationships: The legacy you hope
to leave with those closest to you.
Finally, ask yourself:
What is missing from this story?
What is the most meaningful thing I
could do next?
What do I want to be remembered
for?
What will people say about me in
2030? In 2040? In 50 years?
Which strengths will I have used to
make a difference?
Most importantly: What is the first
step you can take today towards
creating that legacy? ●
