The style of life decides. ~ Alfred Adler
By: Luis A. Marrero, M.A., RODP, LLP
July 7, 2016
As of today, there are 435,000,000 Google entries for the word “engagement.” Yes, you read right: 435 “million.” We could safely assume that with so many entries, the global engagement problem would have been solved by now. Well, if we did assume what appears to be a logical conclusion, we would all be wrong. Despite the vast amount of commentary and the availability of solutions, 70% of workers are unhappy and enthusiastic about their jobs and thus remain disengaged.
That does not mean we lack viable and excellent examples of leaders and employees within great organizations and teams who are meaningfully committed to what they do. My point is that despite these few positive deviants, most organizations – public, private, and NGO’s – struggle with engagement. Why is this so? And how does Logoteleology or Meaningful Purpose Psychology approach this concern?
What is Meaningful Purpose Psychology?
Meaningful Purpose Psychology (MP) is the scientific study of the meanings that enable people and institutions to thrive and succeed. Its scientific name is Logoteleology. “Logoteleology” is a construct of three Greek words:
Logo (λόγος), which stands for reason, meaning or cause.
Thelos, (θέλω), defined as will.
Telos (τέλος, σκοπός), signifying end or purpose.
To learn more about MPP, please read my articles, What is Meaningful Purpose Psychology (Logoteleology)? Part 1, and Part 2. You can also refer to my book: The Path to a Meaningful Purpose: Psychological Foundations of Logoteleology. It is also available in Kindle Edition.
Briefly stated, MP studies how the meaning a person gives to her/himself, others, and situations lead to a particular type of motivation and ensuing response or action. It is the meaning one gives to the self, for instance, what defines one’s identity, personal brand, self-definition, and significance. The individual’s behavior and the quality of his or her life will be consistent with her or his self-definition or self-meaning. It is also proposed that an individual will treat another consistent with how she or he attributes, perceives, defines, and values him or her. Again, it applies to how a person perceives a situation or environment. As a rule, behaviors are the outcomes of meanings.
Applying to organizations, self- and other-definition giving or labeling answer the sample questions such as “What is the meaning of our institution?” and “What meaning do we give to each stakeholder?” The answer would explain why the company and its leadership act as they do and why they value and treat stakeholders the way they do. Again, the organization’s behavior and outcomes will be consistent with the existing and prevalent meaning – conscious or unconscious.
Meaningful or Meaningless?
Meanings can be meaningful or life-enhancing, as well as meaningless or life-depleting. The former improves and builds, while the latter drains, diminishes, and lessens. It is not difficult to determine when one feels pumped up or down in the dumps, for instance.
In MP, recognizing when meanings are meaningful and not is significant because meanings can intuitively tell us the potential consequence of the choices we make. If the action we are about to take builds and enhances a relationship, product, service, and idea, it would be sensible to pursue that aim. On the other hand, if the consequence of the action we are about to take could or will lead to a meaningless end, it would be well advised to steer away from that option.
So, as you can see, MP practitioners or Logoteleologists follow an empirically based, very practical, and uncomplicated approach to problem-solving—be it in therapy, coaching, counseling, training, or consulting. Now, while MPP is sensible and simple, it is not simplistic. Training is required to become a certified and licensed Logoteleologist.
In review, if the outcomes are life-enhancing, they are the result of meaningful meanings and subsequent behaviors. On the other hand, if the consequences are depleting and draining, they are the outcomes of meaningless meanings and their corresponding behaviors. Either outcome is the consequence of how self, others, situations, and ideas are meant, defined, and valued. And that brings us back to this article's two questions and concerns: Why does the disengagement problem persist? And how does Logoteleology or Meaningful Purpose Psychology approach this concern?
Disengagement as Symptom of Human Depletion
The disengagement problem persists because employees are meant, defined, and valued through a meaningless lens by leaders and so-called organization design experts who follow flawed and discredited assumptions. [You can read more about the root cause of the assumptions behind such meaningless leadership approach in my articles related to Second Wave Organization Development (OD2.0), Managing as if Leading, and Leadership Déjà Vu]. Many employees have fallen victim to false concepts about the nature of – and their role at – work. [For a deeper explanation about taking responsibility for self-engagement, please read my article, Are You Actively Engaged at Work? Willing Your Own Professional Meaning.] To fix the disengagement problem, we need to change our current perspective on what it means to be human and what purpose life demands of us. Are we, as a species, meaningful, or are we meaningless? Are some individuals or groups of people more meaningful than others, or are we all equally meaningful? Are our institutions designed to serve humans or for humans to serve organizations?
Engagement as Symptom of Human Thriving
If you read the literature on what constitutes “engagement,” – you will notice a theme that favors meaningful intent and practices by all concerned. So let me briefly present what engagement is and is not in Logoteleology theory and practice:
Engagement is not…
an initiative or a program
a leadership theory
a list of skills
about drivers to manipulate behavior
copying others’ best practices
a drive for profit
Engagement is…
a personal decision based on a genuinely meaningful life purpose
a meaning-centered style of life that influences all life’s roles
virtuous intentions supported by complementary skills
a willing disposition to be and to act meaningfully
co-creating and learning through meaning-centered communities of work
striving for the good and prosperity of all
I offer that engagement is not an outcome that can be pursued. Rather, I propose that engagement ensues as the outcome of the positive and life-enhancing meanings we give to the self and all other stakeholders and the meaning, nature, and role of work and organizations in society. As pointed out above, it starts with making a personal decision to align all behavior (what we do and how we do it) with meaningful intent (why we do what we do). It is simple. It is not complicated. And for those who would find my proposal challenging, consider giving it a positive and meaningful meaning so that it becomes an opportunity worth pursuing.
Again, being genuinely engaged is not the outcome of a program or initiative. Rather, it is a heartfelt and intrinsically willing decision (1) to live a positive, meaningful, and prosperous life and (2) to make sure others too experience a rich and worthwhile life.
Conclusion
Since the late 90s, based on psychological empirical and peer-reviewed research, MPP theory and Logoteleology practitioners agree that all humans – without exception – are inherently valuable, have potential for good, and are deserving of a meaningful, prosperous, and happy existence. Further, we encourage all economic, political, religious, psychological, or philosophical persuasions to test MPP propositions and, where proven accurate and relevant, to adjust current beliefs to more sensible, practical, and realistic approaches. Logoteleology or MP is not a philosophical point of view. Rather, it is the conclusion of an extensive review of psychological research and extensive field application. However, we encourage more in-depth research of Logoteleological propositions. MP is also a unique psychological method with broad application.
Application
To learn more about MPP or Logoteleology and how it can help you, your team, and your organization, don't hesitate to contact me at Luis@bostonimp.com or leave a reply below. Reactions and discussions are welcome.
For supportive research information, please refer to my book, The Path to a Meaningful Purpose: Psychological Foundations of Logoteleology.
©2016. Luis A. Marrero, M.A., RODP, LLP, Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose.
About the Author
Luis A. Marrero, M.A., RODP, LLP, is the pioneer of Logoteleology or Meaningful Purpose Psychology, and Second Wave Organization Development (OD 2.0). A logoteleologist, author, speaker, coach, and consultant with a global reach, Luis is CEO of The Boston Institute for Meaningful Purpose, former Deputy Chairman of the Board of the International Network on Personal Meaning (INPM), former Editor of the INPM Newsletter; co-founder of the Work and Meaning Division of INPM; co-founder of the Work & Organization Division of the International Positive Psychology Association (IPPA); and IPPA’s Work & Organization Division Membership & Partnership Lead. Luis lives with his family in Westfield, Massachusetts, and Deltona, Florida.
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