Supporting those in need. Lending a helping hand. The Golden Rule. No matter what you call it, giving our own time, expertise and money is among the oldest guiding principles of humankind. Long before the digital age at the dawn of written language, civilizations independently developed the same theory — helping each other makes all of us better. The desire to help your neighbor is ingrained in each and every one of us. Being a part of efforts to better the lives of others and the world around us is our oldest common ground.
With the 40-hour workweek growing longer, a 24-hour news cycle, and nonstop communication all demanding constant attention, the idea of working a single additional item into the daily schedule is daunting. It’s also difficult to know where to start. It’s true, embracing a greater purpose is easier said than done, but in recent years there has been a significant shift in collective priorities to make it happen. Socially conscious consumerism is not only on the rise, it’s a priority in every age demographic around the world. Globally in kind, consumers are looking to connect with brands on a deeper level, and brands are looking to inspire empathy.
Outside of the impact on the bottom line, getting and staying involved in personally meaningful causes takes time, but there are tangible benefits to building purpose into everyday life. Studies show that volunteering one’s time directly correlates to decreased loneliness and depression. There is also growing evidence that suggests there are long term health benefits of giving back, like decreased likelihood of high blood pressure. Mentally and physically, those who actively participate in giving are reaping rewards.
All in all, companies that give back are more successful. The path for your own personal or professional purpose is worth exploring, and if you choose to do so, The Purpose Method at Relevance International can help. The Purpose Method begins with Relevance International’s proprietary Purpose Finder that evaluates the brand looking for a charity partner for the company and its staff. Honing in on the brand’s core values, the service matches the brands with causes that span across every possible motivation from human, animal, or environmental organizations.
Identifying a cause and determining how to get involved is essential to keeping purpose a part of your everyday life. Whether that service comes in the form of fundraising or lending your expertise pro-bono, getting involved in causes that you care deeply about is hugely fulfilling. The trick is to figure out what makes you feel like you and your company have contributed in a significant way.
Here are a few key questions to ask yourself when considering how to contribute to causes you care about:
- Does your team or company have a lot of free time or are you limited to a few hours a week? Free time may mean you should consider providing services directly to a charitable organization.
- Is your brand active and engaging on social media or is that not a priority? If your brand and social team presents as a natural networker you might have an easier time raising money from within your own network and beyond.
- Are you already creating opportunities for others within and outside of your organization to join in your work for causes? Or do you have ideas for how to make the world better? Your company might be best suited for mobilizing volunteers, or perhaps creating a cause-driven company all your own.
No matter your skillset, working with your personal and brand strengths makes the greatest impact.
Embracing personal strengths and passions can also lead to unique projects and opportunities to shape your own organization. We know quite a few companies and individuals who have centered their lives around bettering the world. These extraordinary people have taken their personal passions and transformed them into charitable organizations.
Jason Steinberg, founder of the International Sports and Music Project, transformed his love of athletics and music into an organization that provides outlets for joy and expression in the most dire circumstances. Today, Jason leads a team of musicians, athletes, dancers and educators to bring sports, music and arts programs to children around the world where there otherwise were none – in orphanages, refugee camps, schools, and shelters globally.
Harsha L’Aqua began her own career working in luxury hotels where she dreamed up an idea to solve two problems, one within the luxury hospitality industry and one plaguing the communities hotels inhabit. She created an organization that addresses both the lack of educational opportunities for communities within luxe hotel markets and common, financially challenging turnover in the hospitality industry. Today, her organization Saira Hospitality has more than 200 graduates and 100% ROI for the hotels (like Four Seasons, The Standard, Autograph and Rosewood among others) that have participated in the pop-up educational training programs.
Jennifer Finkelstein, President and Founder of 5 Under 40 lived through breast cancer diagnosis and treatment at just 32. Since then, she has created a space to provide financial, medical, wellness and beauty services for women who have tested positive for cancer or the BRCA gene before 40 years old.
Like Jennifer, Harsha, and Jason, we should all look to our neighborhoods and communities and identify how our strengths and skills can benefit those around us. Whether through The Purpose Method or in our personal lives, through the pursuit of giving back we can grow not only our brands and businesses, but ourselves.
