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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Purpose Mindset summary
Akhtar Badshah
How Microsoft Inspires Employees and Alumni to Change the World
15 mins
Brief summary
Purpose Mindset delves into the transformative power of purpose-driven thinking, illustrating how individuals and organizations can harness purpose to foster innovation, create impact, and achieve greater fulfillment in both personal and professional spheres.
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Purpose Mindset
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How Microsoft fosters a purpose mindset
The evolution from a growth mindset to a purpose mindset marks a fundamental shift in how individuals approach their personal and professional lives. While the growth mindset encourages continual learning and self-improvement, the purpose mindset goes further, urging people to leverage their skills and passions to foster positive societal change.
Microsoft has played a leading role in nurturing this mindset, embedding it deeply within its corporate culture. It started with the company’s employee giving campaign in the 1980s, which has since grown from a modest initiative into a formidable force for social good. What began as a simple payroll deduction to support the United Way has flourished into a comprehensive program that matches employee donations up to $15,000 annually.
Far from being a once-a-year event, the giving program is a year-round initiative that’s become an integral part of Microsoft’s identity. Employees play key roles in driving the program forward, taking on leadership positions such as VP-appointed leads or serving as loaned professionals to organize and manage various philanthropic efforts. This grassroots approach ensures that the giving culture is not only sustained but constantly energized by those who are most passionate about it.
Over the years, the program has adapted to meet the changing interests and needs of employees. It now offers a range of creative opportunities for engagement, including microvolunteering, a Hack for Good event, and the dollars-for-doers program, which matches volunteer hours with financial contributions. These features keep participation levels high and ensure that the program remains relevant to a diverse workforce.
The ripple effect of Microsoft’s giving program reaches far beyond the company’s walls. Billions of dollars have been raised for thousands of nonprofits worldwide, while employees have become increasingly involved in their local communities. The program has even influenced many former employees, inspiring them to pursue their own philanthropic ventures after leaving the company.
This movement toward a purpose-driven culture at Microsoft aligns with the five principles that guide individuals in developing a purpose mindset. To better understand how this shift from growth to purpose mindset takes shape, let’s examine how Microsoft alumni have embodied and applied each of these principles in detail.
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What is Purpose Mindset about?
Purpose Mindset (2020) dives into how embedding a sense of purpose within organizations can lead to greater individual and collective success. It outlines how Microsoft developed a culture of giving and volunteerism, which enhanced employee satisfaction while helping the company attract and retain top talent. It also illustrates how a strong sense of purpose can drive both individual fulfillment and broader social change.
Who should read Purpose Mindset?
- Individuals seeking to align career with social impact and purpose
- Leaders aiming to foster a purpose-driven culture in organizations
- Professionals interested in using talents for societal and community change
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