INTHEBLACK December - January 2022 - Magazine - Page 35
TED Talk, The Way We Work – Amber Hikes
Want to truly succeed? Lift others up while you climb
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in either place, that’s when a person feels
dissatisfaction, that something is missing.”
PROFIT WITH PURPOSE
Individuals are not alone in seeking a sense
of purpose – many organisations have
turned their gaze inwards and asked why
they exist.
In November 2021, as part of its
commitment to being a purpose-led
company, KPMG Australia appointed its
first chief purpose officer, Richard Boele,
a long-time human rights campaigner.
“The chief purpose officer is tasked with
challenging the board and partnership
on the decisions that are made and
ensure they are aligned with our purpose
and values,” Boele said at the time of
his appointment.
With investors increasingly holding
companies accountable for environmental,
social and governance issues, Preston
believes that making sense of this data
and meeting compliance requirements
will be a huge growth area for finance and
accounting professionals, and is, of itself,
purposeful work.
“There is a growing number of investors
who want to pull this data apart and
combine financial metrics with social
metrics, such as a company’s profitability
relative to its carbon intensity,” says Preston.
Those looking for purpose at work
could support their own organisation in
becoming more purpose driven, he suggests.
“The purpose statements of large and
mid-tier accounting firms are mixed –
some are good, but others aren’t great.
Ultimately, the senior partners and boards
will make good decisions about this, so put
the pressure on them for clarity.”
Jackson offers another idea – to mentor
a more junior staff member, because
watching them develop may provide
personal satisfaction.
“If your purpose is to help others to grow
and believe in themselves, and your function
at work doesn’t provide that opportunity,
look for ways to incorporate your values on
a day-to-day basis,” suggests Jackson.
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DEC 2022
JAN 2023
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