I’m working through a series of questions about purpose. The first one is: “Why do we feel an organization should aspire to make the world a better place?”
Making the world a better place seems to be more important now than ever before among all generations.
To me, the glam and glitter of bright lights and fast paced living have lost their shine.
The new Civic Generation will fully take control of culture during 2009. This doesn’t mean Silent, Boomers, and X’ers need not show up for work after the New Year. Just the opposite is the case. The still-young Millennials need your leadership.
A Civic Generation is shaped when a “crisis arises in response to sudden threats that previously would have been ignored or deferred, but which are now perceived as dire. Great worldly perils boil off the clutter and complexity of life, leaving behind one simple imperative: The society must prevail. This requires a solid public consensus, aggressive institutions, and personal sacrifice.” (The Fourth Turning
by William Straus and Neil Howe)
Doesn’t this sound like the economic meltdown of 2008? And 1929? And 1869? Do you see a pattern here?
Soon the mood will transform into one of exhaustion, relief and optimism. This optimism is brought about by faith in the group and in authorities. The leaders plan, people hope, and a society yearns for good things and simpler times.
Can you imagine somewhere over the rainbow?
Consumers, congregations, sport teams and of course companies can, and they will all be looking to partner with organizations of purpose. Make sense?
Are you getting yours ready?
Regardless of the time zone or continent you call home, the last decade has been nuts.
