In the age of AI technologies and easy access to knowledge, with market data more abundant than ever before, and competitors meticulously crafting strategies to assert market leadership, there exists an intangible yet formidable force that can make or break even the most brilliantly devised plans: Culture. As Peter Drucker famously put it, “Culture eats strategy for breakfast,” a sentiment that highlights the profound influence culture holds over the execution of strategic initiatives. At Esports Entertainment Group, we are fully cognizant of the relationship between culture and strategy, as well as why fostering a healthy organizational culture is imperative for our continued success in our native industries.
As we endeavour through corporate restructuring and pivot towards market segments that are better aligned with our core business strengths, we are also making an effort to improve how things are done here at EEG. For an organization with a globally-distributed team that has undergone numerous acquisitions, serving business clients and end-users across two distinct business verticals, and operating out of geographically-dispersed offices, redesigning a culture is not a trivial project.
As we embark on this journey to forge a more resilient and impactful culture, we recognize that it is a continuous and evolving process. While the business strategies we employ are a product of contemplative reflection on the successes and challenges we face in the markets we operate in, the evolution of our culture will be driven from within by the shared values of the EEG workforce. These values lie at the very core of our corporation and bind our diverse team into a united front advancing towards common objectives.
Innovation
In fast-paced and technology-driven industries such as competitive gaming and online betting, the ability to adapt is paramount. At EEG we encourage a progressive culture based on experimentation, learning, and risk-taking, which we believe is the recipe for creating fertile ground for innovation.
Collaboration
Here, at EEG, collaboration is fostered through consistent communication, transparency, mutual respect, and a sense of shared purpose, from leadership to every team member. Our aim is to foster alignment and accountability, which are crucial for achieving our strategic objectives.
Integrity
Integrity is the cornerstone of our business practices. EEG’s deep roots that stem from the regulated iGaming business have enshrined integrity as the guiding principle that continues to shape every interaction, decision, and action within our company.
In conclusion, while strategy charts the course of our journey, culture acts as the wind in the sails, propelling us forward. Our past and future successes do not merely hinge on the expertise, deep industry knowledge, and globe-spanning relationships of our senior leadership team, but are intertwined with the culture we foster in our team. We embrace the spirit of innovation, collaboration, and integrity that define our culture, and we look forward to the exciting future of the gaming and entertainment industries that we are setting out to transform.
Every role is imperative to driving our business and the people behind the roles are the most important part.
Keeping on track with personal and team performance is one of the most important aspects of our working lives. Our day to day and overall performance throughout the year is the key to self-development, career progression and the overall performance of an organization. Organizational success can be enhanced by improving the performance of every individual within each team framework.
At EEG we take a continuous, people-led approach to Performance Management and Performance Appraisals. We believe that annual performance reviews are not suited to the way we work, because objectives and goals change constantly throughout the year, therefore we cannot deliver effective performance management just once a year. Managers and employees need to have continuous, effective performance related conversations by being open, curious, building and maintaining trust and really leaning into each other in times of need. Building solid working relationships and continuously gathering 360 feedback is at the heart of EEG and what drives us to performing excellence.
We expect our people to build strong professional relationships with their colleagues, to be in tune with how they are performing continuously, throughout the year.
There is no ‘one style fits all’ as our teams vary in how we work and manage projects. However, we do expect our people to take performance management, appraisals, and goals seriously and to include this in their roles throughout their career at EEG.
The benefits of imbedding performance management into day-to-day working life are almost endless. From building strong relationships with colleagues, to recognising our personal achievements, how we’ve overcome setbacks and how we have developed as individuals – every part of the feedback to ourselves, our managers, our peers and our senior leadership team is vital in the growth and success of the business.
The esports industry has been growing steadily for the past couple of decades due to the rise in the popularity of online multiplayer games. In addition, universities saw that many students are interested in competitive gaming. This led to the introduction of varsity esports programs and the construction of esports arenas and facilities within campuses.
Members of collegiate esports teams enjoy scholarship grants and access to state-of-the-art gaming equipment. Universities and colleges have also started offering other programs for incoming students interested in finding a career in the esports industry.
But an esports facility is more than just several gaming PCs in an unused classroom. ggCircuit has provided solutions with software, consulting, on-site assistance, and remote maintenance to over a hundred universities. Here are some of our customers that are now successfully operating their esports facility.
The Ohio State Esports Arena is located at the Lincoln Tower of the Ohio State campus. It features 80 state-of-the-art gaming PCs, consoles, and two VR systems!
The Arena is where their Premier Teams train for competition, and gaming events are live-streamed through their broadcast studio. Additionally, students may apply as broadcast interns, which will give them exposure to many opportunities within esports and broadcasting.
The Arena is open to all students, and BuckID is required to access gaming equipment.
Opened on September 23, 2016, the UCI Esports Arena is a 3,500 sq. ft. facility located at the Student Center Terrace. This facility is equipped with 36 high-end gaming PCs and several gaming consoles.
UCI has an esports program centered on its five pillars: Competition, Community, Academics & Research, Entertainment, and Careers. In addition, full-time students may apply as varsity players and get scholarships.
The Carolina Gaming Arena can be found on the campus’ Craige residence hall. The facility boasts 33 gaming PCs and three gaming consoles. In addition, visitors can watch live gaming events through the Casting area.
UNC also offers game-related courses for students that want to pursue a profession within the esports industry. Of course, students can apply to the Carolina Esports program to represent UNC in the NACE Starleague.
The Esports Park first opened its doors Fall of 2022, offering a place where people interested in gaming can meet. This 7,500 sq. ft. hub is located at Sunset Avenue Parking Garage within Butler University.
Butler’s Esports Park is open to students and the public. The facility contains a gaming area equipped with 36 high-end PCs and consoles, a cafe, a lounge, co-working spaces, an events space, and a studio and production room.
The Boise State Esports Arena is located on S Capitol Blvd. in downtown Boise. This arena houses over 60 gaming stations and is separated into two sections: the first one is the Esports Arena which is primarily used by the varsity team, and the other is the Battleground which is mainly used for practice.
Boise State offers esports scholarships for eligible students interested in representing the school’s varsity team. Boise also has an esports camp for high-school gamers called EsportsU.
Located in the Purdue Memorial Union, the Boiler Game Mine is Purdue’s answer to the growing demand for an esports facility among their student populace. Outside visitors may also come in and enjoy the high-end gaming experience the facility has to offer.
Purdue’s premier gaming facility has 26 gaming PC and consoles, such as Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series S. People not interested in video games can opt to play Bowling or Billiards in the Union Rack and Roll just beside the Boiler Game Mine.
How can a University Ensure the Success of its Esports Program?
There is no denying that esports is already a part of mainstream entertainment. While esports is still far from being an Olympic event, debates about whether it is a legitimate sport are still raging on.
A university may add esports courses and varsity teams to cater to the gaming demographic. Competitive players, however, are just a piece of the bigger pie, and the majority of that audience is still among the casual gaming crowd.
Adding esports can be more than just about competitive gaming. It can be added to complement other academic pursuits, such as video broadcasting, game development, and computer science, among others.
Here is one of our articles where this topic is discussed in more detail. The following section discusses the other things needed to operate an esports facility or arena.
What does a University Need for its Esports Facility?
Most universities’ computer laboratories are insufficient if they are used for esports gaming purposes. For starters, PC specs have to be high-end and be able to run games that are commonly played in esports tournaments. Gaming equipment and accessories are also needed to ensure optimal performance and ergonomics for the players.
Aside from the obvious, several other things are needed for a successful collegiate esports program. Here is a list of things an esports facility must have in order to ensure a smooth operation.
Diskless Boot
Most esports centers have done away with using local drives for a great number of reasons. Among them are security and cost-efficiency. Esports games are infamous for their constant updates, and being able to update all PCs at once can save employees a lot of time and ensure PCs are ready for use anytime.
ggRock is a robust PXE boot software that many universities and esports venues around the world have been using to great efficiency.
Monitoring and managing each PC in a facility can be difficult without the proper tool. Therefore, opting for software that does everything needed in an esports facility is an absolute must. Good thing that ggLeap has everything an esports facility may need, such as user management, time allocation, activity monitoring, and more!
Let’s break down some of the core features that ggLeap offers.
Game License Management
Most esports games require a license to be able to play. While most gamers have their own account, and some esports games are free-to-play. However, having in-house accounts will alleviate the need for students to create an account or purchase games that are not free.
User Management
This will enable facility employees to monitor user activity, allocate time, and update users’ information, among others.
Device Management
This feature enables employees and admins to check PCs and consoles available or in use at a glance. PCs can be restarted, shut down, and locked from here. Additionally, users can be logged in or out from here.
PC Reservation
An esports team may book a reservation of several PCs for team practice. This feature will ensure that devices will be available and prevent other students from using them.
Why are University Esports Programs Essential for Students?
The short answer is that esports is just like any other sport. Esports programs will help students who like to play video games learn about teamwork, camaraderie, and healthy competition. Games like League of Legends, Rocket League, and Overwatch require teammates to communicate, coordinate and work together to defeat an opposing team.
As we have mentioned before, esports also opens many opportunities for students who are not interested in gaming but are interested in making things work from behind the scenes. For example, students can sign up to be game commentators or be part of a production team for a school’s live stream of their games or other esports events.
Having a varsity esports program can also help financially deprived students who have skills in gaming to earn esports scholarships. Additionally, it may bolster new admissions in the university as some students prefer schools with esports programs.
Depending on the university, they may charge students for the PC rental, which will help the institution maintain the equipment and pay for the employees, who are mostly students themselves – another positive aspect as it gives employment opportunities.
Of course, the gaming facility may not be exclusively for the use of varsity teams; students who like gaming may want to play PC or console games with their friends in between classes. This promotes a healthy social environment where a gamer does not have to play alone and has a place where they can play among like-minded people.
It only goes to show that esports has reached critical mass and will be a significant part of collegiate sporting events where students can participate in representing their team.
ggCircuit has over 100 university subscribers, which is a testament to how our products have helped universities and colleges run their esports facilities more efficiently. Read more about our 100th university milestone here.
In Conclusion
The future looks bright for students looking for careers in competitive gaming. University esports will help shape their future through esports scholarships and various other learning and economic opportunities.
By 2038, the landscape of entertainment has undergone a dramatic transformation. Traditional television and content consumption methods have been replaced by immersive, interactive, and personalized experiences. This shift is driven by advancements in AI, virtual reality, and the seamless merging of digital and physical worlds, ushering in a new era of storytelling and gaming. Nevertheless, these innovations come with significant challenges and potential risks.
A 2021 Deloitte poll revealed that Generation Z (those under 25) preferred gaming over TV and film as their primary source of home entertainment. This change in preference highlights not only the decline of traditional television but also the growing prominence of video games in the entertainment sector. With the integration of sophisticated AI systems with platforms like Unity, VR technology, and the emerging Web3, users can now create and customize their own immersive worlds using natural language processing (NLP) without needing specialized technical skills. This AI-driven shift holds immense potential for entertainment and productivity by making personalized interests truly immersive.
Since the advent of moving pictures, people have been captivated by the ability to escape their everyday lives and explore new worlds. Video games further enhance this experience by adding interactivity and control. The next phase in entertainment evolution involves a new form of media that allows users to control not only in-game activities but also the environment in which those activities take place.
Today, we live in a world with a vast array of media choices. It is evident that the current generation favors video games over traditional television and likely consumes non-linear multimedia (e.g., Netflix) and user-generated content (e.g., YouTube) instead of linear TV. The future points towards user-created media that is instantaneous and video game-like. As traditional television becomes obsolete, the entertainment landscape will continue to evolve, embracing interactive and personalized experiences made possible by AI and immersive technologies, along with voice-controlled chatbots as the primary means of user input and control.
To bring this vision of content consumption and entertainment to life, approximately ten existing technologies are needed:
Natural Language Processing (NLP)
Voice Recognition and Synthesis
Procedural Generation
Game Engine
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Networking
Virtual Reality (VR)
Input Devices and Controllers
UI/UX
Cloud Computing and Storage
However, these advancements are not without risks. Ensuring that AI-generated content remains safe and responsible is crucial to prevent the spread of false narratives, misogyny, racism, and other harmful content. The challenge lies in striking a balance between fostering creative freedom and shielding society from the potential negative consequences of user-generated content. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to learn from and expand existing methods of controlling controversial or harmful content on platforms like social media, YouTube, and others, and to develop robust systems for monitoring and regulating AI-generated content (including using AI) in line with societal norms and values.
The future of entertainment will be shaped by advances in personalization, creativity, and immersion, driven by a growing preference for user-created content and the innate human desire for escapism. However, it is equally important to be mindful of the potential dangers that accompany these developments. By achieving the right balance between creative freedom and responsible content regulation, AI-generated content can be used to create a more engaging, diverse, and responsible entertainment ecosystem.
Esports Entertainment Group is committed to work-life balance and to exploring flexible work practices with its team members. The drive towards more innovative working arrangements has been spurred on by the huge advancements in technology, facilitating new realities, fostering opportunities for virtual working flows, and developing new opportunities.
Work is no longer an allocated place. It is a place where people perform at their best.
Our world has changed a lot over the past years. As a result of the COVID 19 pandemic, we`ve been forced to change the way we work and live.
Working remotely is a new conception for some employees so patience and compassion will be critical elements to fostering a trusting workplace culture.
Crossing through this new normal of the digital workspace will require adjustments and adaptable supervision coupled with empathy for employees and their wellbeing.
When working in remote work environments, communication and trust have never been more important.
Trust is essential for remote teams to work well together, and without proper communication, that trust falls apart. To build trust in a remote work environment, employers should train employees on how to effectively communicate.
Build trust with clear work expectations, standardized performance metrics and consistency in providing performance recognition and feedback. Frequent and open communication can make a big difference in a remote work environment. By keeping the team members updated and in the know, they’ll feel confident in your direction. Providing enough context and ensuring remote teams have access to all necessary information is a must.
Trusting team members to handle their individual roles and give employees autonomy is vital to remote work processes.
Here at EEG, we support and encourage a healthy work-life balance and encourage our employees to make the most of every opportunity that comes their way. For many, relocating to another country might be out of a passion to travel, to move nearer to family or moving with a spouse.
Implementing and managing conflicting policies to address regional or global privacy requirements can often lead to confusion.
It forces multinational organisations to be intentional with their data privacy. Not simply put something in place once and forget about it but keep up to date with developing regulatory frameworks and continuously review and revise their privacy programme.
As a basic example, let’s take the deadlines for responding to Subject Access Requests. A company with customers spanning across the EU and Brazil will have implemented processes to allow responses within one month and fifteen days (respectively). Another example is the implementation of marketing or cookie consent on global websites, applying opt-ins to EU-based customers to satisfy GDPR and ePrivacy Directive requirements as well as opt-outs to satisfy the requirements of others (CCPA).
While it may appear easier to focus on the disadvantages of this changing landscape and question the value in devoting resources to addressing these requirements, linking back to my previous post, devoting resources towards baking Privacy By Design into the core of your business will yield positive results. Being intentional about global compliance will be apparent to customers and lead to greater public trust.
As with any element of successfully managing a business, privacy requirements are constantly evolving. By avoiding a “one take” approach, but instead applying a cyclical approach as you would with all other areas of data governance, an organisation can ensure that it remains ahead of the game and compliant in all regions that it operates in. I have created a simple acronym to help identify the steps: DAME (Design, Apply, Monitor and Evaluate) on a regular basis not just to stay ahead of the regulations, but to ensure it is constantly fit for purpose.
Design how privacy fits in to your data governance and long-term business strategy
Apply what you have designed
Monitor constantly to ensure compliance and identify any issues
Evaluate on a frequent basis whether this is still fit for purpose and the optimal way of achieving what you want.
Written by Larry Coker – Global Data Protection Officer
Mental health is something we all possess. When it is good, we have a sense of purpose and direction and feel that we can cope with whatever life (and work) throws at us. But just as our physical health fluctuates, so too our mental health goes through ups and downs. Raising awareness of potential mental health issues in the workplace is part of fostering an inclusive workplace, where people feel able to bring their whole selves to work.
Evidence shows that workplaces with high levels of mental wellbeing are more productive. EEG promotes workplace wellbeing and has a business goal of being watchful of, and then improving on, the collective mental health of our global workplace environment, so that everyone feels supported and included, particularly in the more difficult times. That is why we provide Life Coaching sessions. Lorraine O’Sullivan is one of our life coaches and here she provides more insight into what she does at EEG – My name is Lorraine and I have the privilege of being one of the Life Coaches for EEG.
I was initially approached in April 2020 when Covid struck which meant that most people were working from home in isolation. EEG reached out to me as they were concerned about the potential impact of staff working alone and wanted to offer some support for those who felt they might benefit.
Initially staff who contacted were both curious and apprehensive about the coaching process. All of them expressed a feeling of being cut off and unable to talk to colleagues on a daily basis alongside a concern about being seen as having some sort of mental health crisis if they worked with me. I always reassure people that taking care of your Mental Health is like a car having an MOT, you do it to ensure that that everything continues to run smoothly and preempt any problems before they arise and become harmful. I believe it should be a normal part of life not something associated with breaking down and needing repairs.
When first meeting potential clients I also explain the fundamental difference between coaching and counselling. ‘Coaching helps people to achieve a specific aim or goal that is decided by the person whereas Counselling focuses on the problems or difficulties of life in general, where they stem from and how to overcome them’.
Since April 2020 I have worked with a number of people from EEG. I always start with an introductory session where I explain how I work, discuss the issue that someone wants to work on and agree a timescale. If people are happy to continue we start with eight weekly sessions. Some of my previous clients have successfully addressed the issue within that timeframe whilst for others it has taken a little longer. I think in all cases people are surprised at how relaxed the sessions are and how ‘normal’ it is. They actually look forward to them and have told me that they prioritize them in their diary once they get comfortable. No two clients come with the same issue but they all express surprise at how much they have successfully worked through their problem, how beneficial the process has been and in most cases how enjoyable.
I always make sure that every client is comfortable with what we are doing and provide a safe secure space for them to talk about specific issues in total confidence. Everyone I work with knows that no reports are sent back. All EEG know is the start and end date of the set number of sessions.
I would like to thank EEG and all my clients for the privilege of working with them and for continuing to trust in me and the Coaching process. I also hope that by reading this it encourages more people to get a mental health MOT.
Below are 4 ways to support employee wellness
1. Open safe communication channels
Leaders are encouraged to have an empowering communication style and open a safe and respectful communication channel. Use communication to reduce the stigma and discrimination.
2. Promote well-being
Encourage employees to use their vacation time. Some companies do this by limiting the amount of vacation employees can roll over into the next year. Develop a return-to-work process so that employees who need to take a leave of absence because of a mental health issue feel supported when they come back.
3. Provide mental health coverage
Invest in providing mental health services in your business or as part of your health care plan. Even a life coaching package can be a first step in the right direction.
4. Create a supportive environment
Treating mental and physical health as equally important. Create opportunities for employees to build connections with each other, such as through social events, affinity groups, and electronic message boards. Workplace relationships that are positive provide a source of support.
October – Mental health awareness month is important especially because of all the misconceptions and stigma surrounding mental health issues, people often suffer in silence and don’t seek treatment for their conditions. Mental health awareness is an important initiative to improve understanding of mental health conditions and increase access to healthcare for those who need it.
Privacy is often seen as a compliance function, a box to be ticked to show you are compliant, and no further thought given to it. However, the goal should be to make privacy an intrinsic part of any business.
Indulge me a few minutes to delve into this.
An Esports and iGaming company will capture data to meet its regulatory obligations as well as to help continue delivering a great service to its customers. There would be no point in capturing its customers’ shoe sizes, unless there were a tournament where footwear is being supplied, and even then, it would only require this data for the purpose of providing the correct size shoes. If it were to capture this type of data (without a need) for its millions of customers and store it indefinitely, this would be pointless and costly in terms of IT, and regulatory repercussions.
For any business to succeed, it needs to maximize revenue whilst keeping spending to a minimum. This is where many go wrong as they look on functions such as privacy as an area they can afford to cut back on, doing the bare minimum to meet legal requirements. What they often misunderstand is that Privacy regulations are not set to limit the ways you can use data, but in fact operate as a framework within which businesses can increase output through intentional use of data. Take the following principles of Data Privacy found in a fair number of regulations including the GDPR:
Data Minimization
The intent of this is to minimize the amount of personal data you use only to what you need. The benefit of this is includes thinking through exactly what data you need to meet your business objectives, as opposed to gathering as much as you can with a hope of finding a use for it down the line. It also reduces your IT infrastructure spend as you require less storage space and processing power sifting through Teradata after Teradata.
Data Retention
The above also lends to retention of data, as you have defined what you require data for, you have a better understanding of when it no longer holds value, and can safely dispose of it, as opposed to retaining indefinitely “just in case”.
Data Security
By undertaking minimization, you should also have a better understanding of what type of data you hold, where it is held, and therefore be able to apply appropriate levels of security to the data.
Allow me to use an analogy to break this down even further:
When packing for a holiday, you think about the types of clothes that will work for the type of holiday and the climate of the destination. A winter coat would be pointless on a beach vacation, and likewise, shorts and t shirts may not be useful on a skiing holiday. We put thought into what we pack to maximise luggage and wardrobe functionality, and to enjoy the holiday. The clothes represent the data you collect as a business, so it makes sense to put thought into where your business is going and how to maximise the “journey”.
The bottom line is that Data Privacy needs to be part of the core of business operations, and baked in by DESIGN, as opposed to an afterthought / tick box exercise.
by James Lephew, Compliance Officer & MLRO, Esports Entertainment Group
The world of financial crime has dramatically changed in the past year. Following a global pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and overall global instability, Compliance Officers and Money Laundering Reporting Officers (MLROs) need to consider some of the below major changes that are coming from supervisory agencies and national governments, which include enhanced regulations and guidance, to support anti-money laundering / countering funding of terrorism (AML/CFT) programs in this lucrative environment.
Sanctions Compliance
On the 21st February 2022, The Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC), the division within the U.S. Treasury responsible with enforcing economic and trade sanctions against countries and individuals, expanded the prohibition of certain transactions with respect to continued Russian efforts to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, following Executive Order 14065 issued by U.S. President Joseph R. Biden. As such, OFAC sanctions compliance is now front and center stage in the financial crime world. Compliance Officers and MLROs should consider investing, or upgrading, in sanctions screening software and scanning logic to ensure that no transactions are being carried out by your business with any individuals, or companies mentioned on the OFAC sanctions lists. Otherwise, companies could face severe violations, regulatory repercussions, and reputational damage.
New European-wide AML/CFT regulator
On July 21st, 2021, the European Commission proposed some major changes to AML/CFT legislation, which include the establishment of the new Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA). This authority will have direct supervision powers over illicit finance across the EU member states, and will even be able to impose fines not exceeding 10 percent of annual turnover or 10 million euros, whichever is higher. AMLA is expected to be established in the year 2023 and operational by 2024. A new European-wide rule book based on technical standards and harmonized rules that include more criteria on customer due diligence (CDD), beneficial ownership, and the powers of financial intelligence units (FIUs) should be expected. Additionally, information and data collection on crypto assets will be enhanced as well.
Partnerships with fintechs and payment service providers
Fintech companies and third-party payment processors that specialize in digital payment methods are increasing in demand, while providing alternative opportunities to more conservative, traditional financial institutions, to conduct transactions. These companies are attractive because they specialize in developing innovative technologies that can help companies better manage their financial operations, use multiple digital currencies, and employ specialized software and algorithms to automate transactions. If your company establishes partnerships with these types of firms, be sure to update your company’s business risk assessment (BRA), review your internal controls, and carry out the necessary due diligence procedures in order to ensure they comply with the relevant AML/CFT regulations.
Ultimately, the goal of any AML/CFT program should be to promote the detection and prevention of money laundering, terrorist financing, proliferation of nuclear weapons, and expansion of human trafficking. By considering the above, practitioners will be better prepared to take up the fight against illicit finance during this time of uncertainty.
Find the purpose of work by creating purpose in your work – (read that again).
Many of us feel we have a purpose in life, even if we’re not sure exactly what it is. These last 2 years going through a pandemic has inspired many people to reflect on what’s truly important to them. Finding your purpose in work is not easy and often, it is a process of discovery, like most things it requires time.
You can find the meaning or purpose of any job when you change your way of looking at it. To find the purpose of your work, focus on the three elements of purpose:
1.Feeling connected to something bigger than yourself
2.Knowing your work matters
3.Understanding how your work affects other people
We spend a lot of time on the job more than with our families or doing things we love. So it’s unsurprising that most people aspire to more meaningful and satisfying work. After all, if you’re giving so much of your life and energy to something, it makes sense that you would want to enjoy it. Employees are more satisfied with their jobs when they feel they are meaningful and empowered and higher levels of job satisfaction incentivize people to work longer hours and take fewer sick days. This results in productivity gains. Having a sense of purpose at work benefits both the employee and the organization however many people aren’t sure what they’re passionate about and discover their passion, through the process of immersing in their work. As you learn more about an industry and get involved in specific problems and customers, it can pique your curiosity and ignite passion.
But why are meaning and purpose so important to human beings?
Research has shown that we are hard-wired to connect on a collective level because our ancestors depended on one another to survive. Throughout most of human history, rejection by the group was similar to a death sentence. But just because today you can order anything online rather than seeking help from others doesn’t mean you no longer need a tribe.
This intrinsic need to connect with something bigger than ourselves drives us to look for a sense of purpose or a way to contribute to the greater good. Serving people and making a difference makes us feel connected to others. This gives a sense of meaning and purpose to our lives in a way that material rewards can’t.
It is also important for leaders to encourage employees to create their own purpose at work and create a work environment that encourages team members to regularly submit suggestions and initiatives that are in line with both the individual and organizational purpose. At EEG we lead in this way and believe in investing in our people.
“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change” – Dr. Wayne Dyer
