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journey of meaning at work, The

Group Facilitation, Spring 2003 by Epps, John

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Cynicism easily takes over, and you find occasions for faultfinding throughout the organization. Dilbert becomes a treasured source of humor, mocking the inadequacies of "the system" at every turn.

It would be an error to assume that this situation is a mistake to be corrected. Meaning does not come easily, nor does the quest for it go away. We as facilitators need only to assume that our clients and we ourselves are on the journey.

II. Pathways to Meaning

Three broad "pathways" provide access to the dimension of meaning: the past, the present, and the future. Meaning relative to the past is called significance; relative to the present, profe/nalia; relative to the future, purpose.

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A Significance - The Past

The Past - Phase One

Meaning as significance relates to the past. You sense that your profession has a noble tradition, and you are honored to be part of it In fact, you sense an obligation to uphold the highest standards that make the profession a significant contributor to the human journey. Heroic people have achieved landmarks in the past, and you aspire to play a similar role in the present. Organizations that use this approach to meaning usually make a great deal of their corporate heroes, whether they are from the executive suite or from the front line. Some organizations have a "hall of fame" where heroes are displayed along with their contributions; others have photographs or quotations liberally sprinkled throughout the facilities. People are expected to take note of these "heroes" and to see what is possible now. The objective is to remind people of the noble and significant work in which they are engaged.

When you actually "latch on" to a hero in your profession, then you have a role model. This person supposedly dealt with the difficulties you face, and in spite of them, made a notable contribution to the profession. A role model is an inspiration to do your best, to go beyond the norms and to excel.

Meaning also comes through the past in the form of significant events that mark the organization's life. Perhaps a breakthrough was made, a startling achievement that transformed the way things were done. And people hark back to that, not as the "good old days," but as exemplifying an ongoing possibility for achievement Such "great moments" are inspiring.

Meaning from the significance of work depends on a living past that informs and guides the present

The Past - Phase Two

As someone once said, "The past is not what it used to be!" The closer you get to your "heroes," the more distant their heroism becomes. Very few reputations can sustain intense scrutiny. Hero myths have an agonizing tendency to crumble in the face of examination. So, as you pursue your role model, that life appears decreasingly admirable and you come to realize that this person was not much different from you, and hardly one to inspire you to greater efforts. You are alone in your undertaking, and unlikely to make much of a mark. Hero-worship inevitably leads to a depressing "twilight of the gods." There's essentially no one to look up to.

journey of meaning at work, The

Group Facilitation, Spring 2003 by Epps, John

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