The interviews and focus groups with hundreds of people uncovered 22 keys to a meaningful workplace. The descriptions included in this Web site provide extensive information about each. All told, there are some 60 examples to illustrate the keys and 100 action ideas. Tying it all together are these major themes: 1. There's a sharp distinction between "meaningful work" and "job satisfaction." For most people, "satisfaction" looks and feels like conformance to standards. Needs and expectations are met -- period. In a meaningful workplace, it's less about needs and expectations -- and more about hopes and dreams and fulfillment. These are the places where Mondays look like most organizations' Fridays. 2. People define "meaningful workplace" in vastly different ways. The advocates of "five easy steps" must be gnashing their teeth as they scan the long list of 22 keys. This is one case where quick fixes just won't work. To create a meaningful workplace, people must be ready to effect change in many areas. If this worries you, you'll be happy to read the next major theme. 3. Several keys rise above all others in importance. Topping the list is Purpose -- the sense that what I'm doing as an individual, and what the organization is doing collectively, truly makes a difference. Also in the top tier, in order of importance: Ownership, Fit, Oneness, and Relationship-Building. In the second tier: Service, Equality, Validation, Invention, and Personal Development. For organizations that want to enrich the work environment, these keys offer a logical starting place. 4. People do NOT cite incentives or high pay as key ingredients of the meaningful workplace. Incentives came up only once -- from a former salesperson who told horror stories of internal competition. As for compensation, people sharply distinguish between "fair pay" (critically important) and "high pay." 5. Business concepts and strategies -- such as reengineering, strategic planning, TQM and its more recent incarnations, etc. -- rarely come up when people talk about fulfillment at work. For instance, in all the research conversations, no one said or even suggested that "a recent reengineering initiative helped me find greater meaning in my work." Rather, people focused on fundamentals -- like purpose, service, dialogue, respect. 6. There's an almost desperate eagerness to talk about ways to renew and reinvent the workplace. People from all walks of work life participated in the Meaning At Work Project, and with few exceptions, they showed remarkable zeal in sharing their stories. It seemed as if they had been holding back for years -- and in fact, many had been doing just that. A common comment: "I wish we could have this conversation back where I work." Return to the background briefing Go to layout info for guidance on how each key is presented. Then click on the keys (left) to get hundreds of detailed descriptions, anecdotes, and action ideas. Be sure to check out 12 ways to use the keys. Click here to learn about the book 22 Keys to Creating a Meaningful Workplace. HOME | 10-Minute Briefing | Free Online Tools | Insight and Inspiration | Laugh and Learn | Buzzword Bingo | Kits, Books, and Tools | Talks and Workshops | Meet Tom Terez | Bronze Access Copyright 1998-2002 by Tom Terez and Tom Terez Workplace Solutions, Inc. P.O. Box 21444, Columbus, Ohio USA 43221-0444. Tel. 614-571-9529..mail@BetterWorkplaceNow.com BetterWorkplaceNow.com Privacy Policy We respect your privacy, and we know that you're too busy for unwanted e-mails. So rest assured that e-mail addresses and other information you provide through this site will never be sold, rented, or shared with any third parties.