💩 Some teams say their purpose is simple - “get s**t done!”

True – but what s**t exactly?

Is there a shared understanding of what that s**t actually is?

Is that s**t what your stakeholders need from you?

And how is the team supporting each other and holding each other accountable in relation to that s**t?

So, what are the options?

1. Stick with “s**t.”

2. Ignore the conversation completely.

3. Tick a box – craft a beautifully worded statement full of meaningless buzzwords.

4. Build it – use a tactile approach, involving collaboration and active experimentation. Create shared symbols, words, and analogies. Something that actually means something!

I introduce LEGO® Serious Play® to some teams – a way to bring option 4 to life.

Picture of a recent build below. With very few prompts from me, the team created analogies that brought their purpose to life. I won’t share their analogies here - to protect confidentiality and avoid copycats - but I can share the themes that emerged:

💩 Collectively lead the organisation and influence culture

💩 Partner with stakeholders

💩 Collectively build the future

💩 Support each other and learning together

I’m confident this team won’t forget their purpose conversation anytime soon, or bury their team purpose statement in a dusty PowerPoint pack that emerges once a year.

If your team would like to build a purpose that means something, please get in touch. I’d love to have a chat about different approaches and share examples of work I’ve done with other teams.

💩 In the meantime – be specific about your “s**t”!