Upon special request, this blog originally published in 2020 is being re-released with slight revisions in March, 2022.
Back in 2009, over a decade ago, Simon Sinek brought new awareness to TED Talks with his famous How Great Leaders Inspire Action presentation. In Sinek’s talk he explained that as corporate entities, we communicate well what we do and how we do it. He went on to say, however, that the real meaning for any company, its purpose, its real value and what inspires action on the part of its employees can best be found by answering the question, WHY do we do what we do? In his words, it was all about the WHY.
As a result of that now famous presentation, corporations, privately-held companies, not-for-profit entities, colleges and universities have been challenging themselves trying to answer the “Why?” for their organization. Today, however, 13 years later, employee engagement continues to be a major issue for most companies. Countless surveys have shown that as many as 70% of company employees are not engaged at work. Now, I don’t care where you work, if only 30% of your employees are engaged – you’ve probably got some issues at your company. But, maybe that is because we have been asking our employees the wrong question? Instead of asking them WHY we do what we do as Sinek suggested, maybe we need to be asking them a different question altogether, a question that deals with the heart of the individual. Maybe we need to be asking our employees – WHAT really matters?
Think about it. Looking at where you are in your life right now, with everything that you as an individual have to consider, your health, your family, your relationships, your career, the car you drive, the clothes you wear, your financial security, and more; of everything that makes up your life today – WHAT Really Matters? Isn’t that what is driving each and every one of us as we head out the door every day to do whatever it is we do? Let me ask you, when was the last time you asked yourself that question, WHAT really matters? I know, it’s a heavy question and it’s not very often that we go to the depths of our souls, of who we really are, vulnerabilities and all to ask such a question. In fact, it is very possible that you may never have asked yourself that question; but you need to. You need to because WHAT really matters to you will determine what you will do and how you will lead the rest of your life. Did you catch that? I didn’t say live your life; I said lead your life. You need to be leading your life.
More than anything else, each of us needs to understand that our life is precious. Yes, YOU matter and what you do with your life matters to God and impacts His world. This isn’t our world; this is God’s world and how we lead our lives impacts His world and everyone else in it. So, when we ask our self WHAT really matters, we need to be thinking about how we can be the best stewards we can be. WHAT really matters is that we lead our lives as servant leaders, giving to others and leading our lives with a spirit of forgiveness. When we start EVERY day reminding ourselves that we are on this earth to serve others and to give and forgive, life gets better for each of us and everyone we come in contact with.
So where are you at today in 2022? Do you want to lead your life in such a way so that you are fulfilled and head out the door every day with a true sense of purpose and hope? Then take the example of Jesus Christ and let Him guide your thoughts and actions EVERY day. Let Jesus be your constant reminder of WHAT really matters.
