Work: meaning on Monday morning (and every other day)

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to focus on all people who search for meaning at work. It explains some simple strategies to achieve greater fulfillment in the workplace.

Design/methodology/approach

The input for this paper was achieved through dialogues executed in the course of three years with business students and business executives about the topic of workplace fulfillment. The approach to the topic was to find out if and how it could be possible to create enhanced meaning at any level of the organization.

Findings

The paper finds that the dialogues led to the insight that creating meaning at work and anywhere else consists of a tripartite approach: it starts internally, is subsequently implemented in an integrated format, and finally expanded externally.

Research limitations/implications

Because the research for this paper was based on conclusions from informal dialogues with a wide variety of business stakeholders (students and executives at various levels), the findings should be further tested in multiple work settings on a broader basis for improved validity and reliability.

Practical implications

The paper shows that creating a meaningful work environment is only possible when you first engage in deep self‐examination. It is of no use to search for it if there is no match between you and your work environment. However, once the mental connection is established, Meaning on Monday Morning (and every other day) is applicable through concerted efforts.

Originality/value

The paper sees that the MMM taxonomy is a new approach toward creating meaning at work. It highlights the importance of ownership and attitude in enhancing our quality of life at work and anywhere else.

Citation

Marques, J. (2008), "Work: meaning on Monday morning (and every other day)", Development and Learning in Organizations, Vol. 22 No. 1, pp. 8-10. https://doi.org/10.1108/14777280810840030