Are you Making an Impact ?
I remember my last day on the job at the University of Notre Dame. I walked out with my then boss, who also happened to be my friend and mentor, and I was in tears. I loved the job, my students, and I REALLY loved my colleagues. I knew my next move to work in MBA Admissions at the University of Chicago was going to be an incredible one, but when I look back on my very visceral response to leaving ND, it’s clear I didn’t have a complete grasp on how much I was abandoning. It wasn’t until a few years later that I could accurately point point what I missed the most: the impact the team and I had—both as individuals and as a whole group. Having a positive impact—feeling like you’re a part of something significant, is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked elements of career satisfaction. When we feel that our work has significance beyond just a paycheck, it can transform our professional lives in profound ways.
At its core, feeling like you’re making an impact is about connection. It's about knowing that your efforts contribute to something bigger than yourself, whether it's your company’s mission, your clients’ successes, or societal improvement. This sense of contribution fosters a deep sense of fulfillment and purpose. It fuels motivation, enhances engagement, and drives us to perform at our best. When we know our work matters, we're not just employees clocking in hours; we become passionate advocates for our roles and our organizations.
Making an impact is also closely linked to personal and professional growth. It pushes us to innovate, to go beyond the status quo, and to continually seek improvement. The challenges we face and the victories we achieve on this path cultivate resilience and confidence, enriching both our careers and our personal lives.
On the flip side, the absence of a sense of impact can be deeply demoralizing. When our work feels inconsequential, it can lead to a host of negative outcomes. The most immediate effect is a drop in motivation. Why put in the effort if it doesn't seem to matter? This can spiral into disengagement, where we’re physically present but mentally checked out. And if you think your colleagues and boss don’t notice your disengagement, you’re wrong. A disengaged employee can negatively influence team morale, leading to a less collaborative and more fragmented work environment. Productivity drops, and the innovative spark that drives growth is extinguished.
The long-term and far-reaching effects of feeling like you're not making an impact can be even more detrimental. Chronic disengagement leads to burnout. The emotional and physical toll of consistently feeling undervalued and unimportant can lead to stress, anxiety, and depression.
Not. good.
So, how can you ensure that you’re making an impact in your career? It begins with clarity and alignment. Understanding your company’s mission and values, and aligning them with your personal goals and values, is crucial. Seek roles and projects that resonate with your passions and strengths. Don’t hesitate to communicate your desire for impactful work to your supervisors; they might not know how you’re feeling unless you speak up. Take note, too, of how they react. True leaders will feed your request to engage in more impactful work.
Another key aspect is continuous learning and development. Equip yourself with new skills and knowledge that enable you to contribute more effectively. Volunteering for challenging projects, mentoring colleagues, or participating in cross-functional teams can also enhance your sense of impact.
Lastly, remember to celebrate you and your teams achievements, no matter how small. Recognizing the positive outcomes of impactful efforts reinforces a sense of purpose and motivates you to keep striving for excellence. If your boss isn’t doing this, manage up! Talk to them about the importance of this component of the company culture. If they don’t step up, YOU have a chance to make an impact on the team.
Feeling like you’re making an impact is not just a nice-to-have; it’s essential for a fulfilling and sustainable career. It propels us to engage deeply, innovate boldly, and grow continuously. When we lose this sense of impact, the repercussions are felt not just by ourselves but by our entire organizations. Therefore, it’s imperative for both employees and employers to cultivate environments where meaningful contributions are recognized and valued. After all, making an impact is not just about changing the world; it’s about finding joy and purpose in the journey.
