goBeyondProfit, a first-of-its-kind business leader initiative that inspires business generosity, sat down with Shane Jackson, president of Jackson Healthcare and co-founder of goBeyondProfit, to discuss the importance of personal purpose and what role, if any, a business can play. 

Jackson's interview offered nuanced insights into the complex relationship between company purpose and personal purpose, revealing how businesses can foster a thriving culture while supporting employees' individual pursuit for meaning.

This discussion mirrors findings from the 2024 goBeyondProfit business survey, which found that an overwhelming 95% of employed adults consider a positive culture a crucial element of business generosity. With “purpose” seen as a key element of such cultures and as a frequent topic in today’s workplace, Jackson stressed the importance of distinguishing between a company’s overarching purpose and an individual’s personal purpose. 

"A business can and should provide a sense of purpose that aligns teams toward shared goals and meaningful work, but an organization can't create personal purpose, that's an intrinsic thing,” Jackson explained. “At Jackson Healthcare, we invite every single person to determine if there's alignment between their personal values, our company values and how we run the business. We want them to decide if they can experience a purposeful life here.”

Jackson discussed the benefits of personal purpose not only for business leaders, but for everyone, and the constant need to reassess your personal purpose as an evolving aspiration. See the full interview with goBeyondProfit: www.gobeyondprofit.org/ceo_interviews/shane-jackson/

As a renowned author, speaker and business executive at one of the nation’s leading healthcare workforce organizations, Jackson has unique perspective on the challenges leaders face in building and sustaining a positive company culture. Following the success of his first book, Fostering Culture: A Leader’s Guide to Purposefully Shaping Culture, Jackson offers a more personal exploration of purpose, revealing the how and why behind intentional living in his new book, This Is the Thing: About Life, Joy, and Owning Your Purpose. 

Key Takeaways from the Interview:

• Personal Purpose as a Foundation for Leadership: Jackson emphasizes that a strong understanding of personal purpose is essential for effective leadership. By aligning personal values and beliefs with organizational goals, leaders can create a more authentic and engaged work environment.

• The Role of Purpose in Decision-Making: A clear sense of purpose can guide difficult decisions, helping individuals and organizations prioritize and focus on what truly matters.

• The Impact of Purpose on Talent Development and Retention: By encouraging employees to explore their personal purpose, organizations can foster a more engaged and motivated workforce.

• The Myth of Work-Life Balance: Jackson challenges the traditional notion of work-life balance, advocating for a more holistic approach that embraces the ebb and flow of life’s various seasons.

To delve deeper into Shane Jackson's insightful perspective on personal purpose and leadership, we invite you to watch the full interview here.

About Jackson Healthcare

Jackson Healthcare^® is a family of highly specialized healthcare staffing, search and technology companies. With a mission to improve the delivery of patient care and the lives of everyone it touches, it helps healthcare facilities across the country serve more than 10 million patients each year. Backed by over 2,600 associates and more than 20,000 clinician providers covering all 50 states, Jackson Healthcare is one of the largest U.S. healthcare staffing companies and part of Forbes’ list of America’s Top Private Companies. In addition to being Great Place To Work® Certified™, it appears on the 2024 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For® and Best Workplaces in Health Care™ lists and the 2024 PEOPLE® Companies that Care list, in addition to national recognition as a best workplace for women and best workplace for millennials. Learn more at www.jacksonhealthcare.com.

About goBeyondProfit

goBeyondProfit is a statewide alliance of 2,100 Georgia companies who pledge to operate generous businesses and improve lives. Learn more at www.goBeyondProfit.org.