In an era where we spend most of our waking hours at work, a startling statistic stands out: only 23% of workers report truly thriving in their workplace.1 Even more revealing is the stark purpose gap revealed by Indeed's latest research: while 71.5% of workers rank purpose as their leading indicator of workplace wellbeing, nearly half (48%) feel their work lacks a clear sense of purpose.2 This disconnect between what employees seek and what they experience represents one of the most significant challenges facing modern organisations.

Why the Gap Matters: The Ripple Effect

The impact of purposeless work extends far beyond the office:

  1. Personal Wellbeing: 86% of workers report that their happiness at work affects their mood at home.3
  2. Professional Performance: Purpose-driven employees show higher engagement and productivity.
  3. Organisational Success: Companies with purpose-aligned workers experience lower turnover and higher innovation.

The Cost of the Gap

When employees lack purpose, organisations face:

  • Decreased productivity.
  • Higher turnover rates.
  • Lower employee engagement.
  • Reduced innovation.
  • Weakened company culture.

When we invest in our people, we invest in our business success and prioritising the wellbeing of your workforce doesn’t just boost morale — it delivers measurable benefits to your organisation’s bottom line and overall performance.4

Root Causes of the Purpose Gap

1. Disconnected Values

Many organisations fail to:

  • Clearly articulate their mission.
  • Connect daily tasks to larger goals.
  • Align individual values with company purpose.

2. Communication Breakdown

Indeed's research shows that 41% of workers believe regular, open communication from leaders is crucial.5 Yet many organisations struggle with:

  • Articulating purpose effectively.
  • Maintaining consistent messaging.
  • Connecting individual roles to broader impact.

3. Leadership Misalignment

Leaders often:

  • Struggle to translate purpose into action.
  • Focus on metrics over meaning.
  • Fail to model purpose-driven behaviour.

Bridging the Gap: A Framework for Change

1. Define and Align Purpose

Start with clarity:

  • Articulate a clear organisational purpose.
  • Connect individual roles to larger mission.
  • Create purpose-aligned goals and metrics.

2. Embed Purpose in Daily Work

Make purpose tangible:

  • Use the 6 P's framework (People, Productivity, Physical, Purpose, Peace, Profit).6
  • Implement regular purpose check-ins.
  • Create purpose-aligned workflows.

3. Develop Purpose-Driven Leadership

Leaders must:

  • Model purpose-driven behaviour.
  • Communicate purpose effectively.
  • Connect team efforts to larger impact.

Want practical tools?

Indeed’s Wellness Twin Workbook can help leaders develop their purpose-driven leadership qualities with 7 interactive self-awareness exercises, designed to help you bridge the gap between professional excellence and personal fulfillment. You can also watch our webinar ondemand Reimagining You: Unlock Your Best Self at Work with Heshan Fernando.

Track progress through:

  • Wellbeing measures.
  • Employee engagement scores.
  • Purpose alignment metrics.
  • Performance indicators.
  • Retention rates.

The Path Forward

Closing the purpose gap isn't just about improving statistics—it's about creating workplaces where people can truly thrive. When organisations actively work to bridge this gap, they don't just improve employee wellbeing; they create sustainable, successful businesses built on meaningful work and engaged employees.

The journey to purpose-aligned work requires commitment, consistency, and courage. But with 71.5% of workers prioritising purpose, organisations can't afford to ignore this crucial element of workplace wellbeing.7 The question isn't whether to address the purpose gap, but how quickly and effectively we can bridge it.Remember, in a world where only 23% of workers are truly thriving, the opportunity to create meaningful change is enormous.8 The purpose gap may be wide, but with dedicated effort and the right approach, it's one we can certainly bridge.

Sources:

1  Wellness at Work 2023 Report

2 2024 Indeed.com data, Global Work Wellbeing Report

3-4 2024 Indeed.com data, Global Work Wellbeing Report

5  Wellness at Work 2023 Report

6  Indeed Wellness Twin Workbook

7 2024 Indeed.com data, Global Work Wellbeing Report

8  Wellness at Work 2023 Report