Embrace Core Values: Fulfillment

With the 2017 release of Embrace's updated purpose statement and core values, it is the Talent Development team's hope that employees will strive now, more than ever, to infuse these ideals into their personal and professional lives on a daily basis. In the coming months, a different core value will be featured in the monthly eNews to encourage discussion and action amongst Embrace professionals. We will examine values as they are being successfully applied here or in other industries as part of this initiative to further develop an enriching, positive company culture.

The Embrace Purpose Statement dictates, "We enrich the lives of our customers, teammates and business partners by conducting ourselves in a loving manner to help our customers create homes."

This month, we are excited to take a closer look at the Embrace core value of fulfillment as it pertains to living one's life according to the Embrace mission.

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In a perfect world, we would all lead deeply fulfilling personal and professional lives all the time. Our experience of fulfillment would be enduring; and we would never confront feelings of dissatisfaction. If this were our reality; however, fulfillment wouldn't hold quite the same meaning for us, would it? We only strive for more for ourselves when we are motivated by some aspect of life that is not presently in alignment with our personal values and life purpose. We all want to feel good about what we are doing each day, that our contributions are meaningful, and that we are constantly achieving bigger, better, and best. That's just human nature, and our productivity depends on it.

Embrace Home Loans believes fulfillment comes from deep satisfaction or happiness that is in alignment with one's values and purpose. Fulfillment in the workplace creates a positive energy, an aliveness, and sense of accomplishment, which lead to more rewarding experiences and greater productivity. On both good days and bad, Embrace professionals are excited to be a part of the team. By creating an environment and team dynamic that motivates employees, the possibilities are endless in terms of what can be accomplished.

"We feel most alive when we're engaged in work and relationships that have meaning for us… Organizations help bring out the best in their employees by creating environments where people love to work. When employees are at their best, not only do they feel great, but they get terrific results for their organizations" (Bresslour). At every level, employees perform best when they feel they are making meaningful contributions in the workplace. Fulfilled employees don't just go through the motions; they thoroughly enjoy their work. They take pride in what they do, and that commitment is apparent when you look at the end-result of their efforts.

At twenty-five, my own experience of fulfillment has been rather inconsistent. I'm still learning and making plenty of mistakes every day. When I'm enjoying immense fulfillment in one area of my life, it means some other area is likely suffering. I think many people experience this same challenge: it's hard to balance it all, and have it all. If we are dealing with some sort of personal challenge, we are likely to feel incapable of being at our very best in other ways; so if we are enabled to thrive professionally by our leaders and work environment, at least that's one less thing with which to concern ourselves. During the darkest of times, it's a wonderful feeling to be able to go into work and feel enabled to excel. That's how I feel every day at Embrace. No matter what personal challenges I face, there's something about my teammates and the environment in which we work that allows me to set everything else aside, and pour my energy into my projects and responsibilities.

Since graduating college in 2014, I have worked a few jobs prior to employment at Embrace. For the most part, these were positions that allowed me to pay the bills, but not much else. The idea of enjoying professional fulfillment was laughable to me. I often felt as though I wasn't taken seriously, and that creative thinking was frowned upon instead of nurtured. I went through the same checklist each day, and hardly felt like I was integral to the business's successful operation. I was easily replaceable. Because I desired something more, I sought out new employment opportunities. I wanted to be a part of a team that would both support and challenge my thinking. I desired an environment in which I could thrive instead of merely getting by, flying under the radar. Even as an entry-level employee, experiencing fulfillment to at least some degree is necessary to achieving consistent, high-level performance.

The best team leaders ensure that every member of their team knows they are valuable, and that their role, no matter how small, has a far-reaching impact. From the entry-level employee to the seasoned professional, in order to stay sharp, we must examine what it takes to bring the experience of fulfillment to life for everyone. During my first week at Embrace, I was relieved to find that I was amongst like-minded individuals. When I shared ideas, I was surprised that instead of being dismissed, my colleagues genuinely wanted to hear more, and they wanted to know how they might be able to help. Here, employees are provided with tools that will enhance their personal and professional lives before they ever get to a place where they feel they are struggling.

The Embrace Talent Development team is especially committed to supporting employees in their pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment. First and foremost, we recognize that our employees are not just professionals, they are also, and more importantly, human beings. With several programs and workshops (and others in the works) designed to help employees capture the experience of fulfillment for themselves, we are striving to create a culture in which people feel tremendous satisfaction and reward. Embrace Purpose Discovery Workshops offer professionals from various departments a unique opportunity to connect with one another while exploring their values, and ultimately, helping employees identify their individual life purposes. When you know what drives you, you approach your work with greater clarity and vision. Employees are also encouraged to take advantage of the Embrace Coaching Program, through which participants build mentoring relationships with professionals who will challenge them and guide them in planning the next phase of their careers. This is an especially appealing program for those who feel they have gone as far as they can in a given area, and crave something more for themselves. Under the right guidance, these are individuals whose careers can really begin to take flight in ways they never imagined.

Most recently, Talent Development launched the Embrace Values Workshop. During this time, each department comes together to examine the seven Embrace core values, and what they mean from the individual perspective, and in a broader sense, the team perspective. Following focused discussion, teams collaborate to select three Embrace core values to develop as a group throughout the next three months. The time spent together allows for reflection, brainstorming, and finally, a clear plan of action for living out our corporate values each day. Living according to a distinct set of values informs the way we do business. Although technical proficiency is a significant part of the job, our heart is what defines us as a team, and sets us apart from the competition.

While these programs are easily accessible for all Embrace employees, we also like to encourage team leaders to take matters into their own hands when it comes to creating a team dynamic that makes the experience of fulfillment all the more real for everyone. Switch and Shift's Margy Bresslour proposes the following steps for creating a culture in which people feel intrinsically rewarded by the work they do:

1. The Why

Have each member of your team write a statement that defines their personal mission. What impact do they want to have? What provides them the most satisfaction and fulfillment? Ask them to focus on the benefits of their actions rather than on specific activities or tasks. My mission is to [ ] so that [X outcome] occurs.

Example: A receptionist might say: My mission is to treat people with care and respect so they feel valued and know that they matter.

This is an important exercise for all employees. It can be enlightening to post those responses in a prominent place as well as near where each person works. It's as powerful to understand and recognize why individuals do the work they do as it is for individuals to articulate the "why" of their work. Those statements can be ready reminders and motivators of the reason we do the work we do. We all know – and research supports – that making a difference is key to gaining meaning from what we do. It helps us to be more engaged and committed when we directly see and/or understand the benefit of our work. Seeing the results adds more meaning to our work.

Individuals are at their best when they enjoy their work. How do we bring out the best in ourselves and our employees?

It's as powerful to understand and recognize why individuals do the work they do as it is for individuals to articulate the "why" of their work. Those statements can be ready reminders and motivators of the reason we do the work we do.

2. Be Authentic

We all like to be around people who are authentic. Individuals who are genuine set the tone and give us the freedom to be ourselves, too. An open and authentic culture will encourage employees to speak up when they see opportunities for improvement. People are likely to invest greater effort and ingenuity when they feel safe. This kind of culture leads to better results for the organization and supports a workforce that derives meaning from work by making significant contributions.

3. Listen

We all want to be heard and know that others value what we have to say. This doesn't mean that our ideas will be implemented, but it does mean that our thoughts and beliefs matter. Feeling heard and knowing that others value what we say help us to feel connected, which in turn adds meaning to our work and our relationships.

4. Appreciate

When we receive words and expressions of appreciation, we receive validation for who we are and what we do. Appreciations bring out the best in us and help us to feel respected and valued by the person who gave the appreciation. When we are acknowledged for our contributions, we have more energy, feel great, and perform better.

When people take an interest in us and appreciate us, we feel cared for and leave work feeling fulfilled. That feeling stays with us when we leave the work place and impacts our relationships outside of work.

People are likely to invest greater effort and ingenuity when they feel safe. This kind of culture leads to better results for the organization and supports a workforce that derives meaning from work by making significant contributions.

5. Belong

A basic human need for all of us is to belong – to be part of something. When we connect with others and feel that we belong, we feel energized, engaged, and committed. Recognizing how our contribution makes a difference and fits into the whole is an important aspect of belonging.

6. Align Strengths

Each of us is unique. What comes naturally to us is different from what comes naturally to another person. When we are doing work that makes use of our strengths, we feel successful; we thrive. Individuals who are in roles that fit their strengths are more likely to add value.

7. Grow

When we are given opportunities to learn new skills, gain new expertise, and build on our strengths, we grow. Mastering new skills and learning new concepts are exciting ways to refresh and deepen meaning in our work. Understanding our role and the desired outcome is important. Being given the freedom to decide how to achieve the desired result allows us to be creative, communicates trust, and opens the organization up to new possibilities.

Imagine a world where each one of us is engaged in work that has meaning for us and that gives us tremendous pleasure. I hope that's the case for you.

8. Create a Culture

Create an environment where you love to work and where you have the opportunity to thrive. If you are a leader, develop an atmosphere that you enjoy sharing with others and where you are able to create, develop, and grow. Be clear about the organization's values. Model those values and have them prominently displayed. Make sure all employees are aligned with the values. If you enjoy your work, you will spread that positive attitude among others in your workplace.

Imagine a world where each one of us is engaged in work that has meaning for us and that gives us tremendous pleasure. I hope that's the case for you. If that's not the case currently, what can you do to bring meaning to yourself and those around you? What can you do to feel more engaged and fulfilled in your work and your relationships? I hope these suggestions will begin or continue this journey (Bresslour).

At the end of the day, I truly believe we are each personally responsible for creating our own sense of fulfillment. We can be set up for success by our leaders and the environment in which we work, but ultimately, it is in our hands to figure out what makes us tick. It can be hard to find the greater purpose in all that we do when bogged down by the mundane tasks and responsibilities that consume our daily lives, but by stepping back and looking at things in terms of the "big picture," we might just find that these small steps are vital to our overall journey and end goal. If you should step back, however, and find that you are not fulfilled, it is in this moment that you can begin making changes to help design the life you've always wanted to lead.

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References

Bresslour, Margy. "8 Essential Elements for Finding Fulfillment at Work." Switch & Shift. Switch & Shift, 11 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Apr. 2017.