The evolution of value exchange at work
What do I need to survive?
I used to spend time at work, I got paid and I went home to eat and sleep.
But I got restless.
What do I want to work with and what do I want to get paid?
I found work where results mattered, I got connection and recognition and I felt comfortable.
Then I got curious.
What do I desire work to be and who do I want to become?
I am now part of the quality my work creates, I grow as a human and I feel fulfilled.
Set the stage!
Once upon a time I had to grow up and stop living off my parents, I had to work to survive on my own. I needed to find a job to get food on the table and have a place where I could put that table.
I found an organisation were my skills were useful, with my skills I created a situation for the company that was fruitful.
Customers liked what I did and spent their dollars and dime, personally I got paid for my time.
We both fulfilled our needs. The owners of the company got their money and I could use my salary to create safety in my life.
Is this it?
Once I had my basic needs met I got restless. Is the purpose of my work just to make money for others and me? I wanted a job that felt meaningful and could give me connection and recognition but also allow me to live a comfortable life.
I found an organisation that I respected, with my skills their results I perfected.
Based on my results I got paid but I also felt connection, my quality of life took a positive direction.
We both fulfilled our goals. The results set by the company were reached and I found belonging and developed self-esteem while living a comfortable life.
Whats next
Once I found belonging I got curious. Is there more to work than what I am currently doing? Can work fulfill me while I fulfill work? I wanted to explore an exchange that was bigger than myself.
I found an organisation were quality was the output, the type of quality depended on where in the circle of belonging I put down my foot.
Being part of increasing quality for others is very fulfilling, my joy in life is now constantly refilling.
We both fulfilled our desires. Quality is increasing in many different aspects of life on earth and work helps me become the most that I can be, while I help work become the most it can be. In short, bringing joy into life.
Recap
Do you see what I see? Do you see the evolution of value exchange between individuals and organisations? What does the organisation you work for value and what do you value? Are you exchanging values that matter to you both?
