origins of purpose mindset

In 1985, Robert N. Bellah, an American sociologist, published Habits of the Heart in which he and his colleagues wrote that there are three distinct relationships people have to their work: as jobs, careers, or callings. 12 years later at the University of Michigan, Dr. Amy Wrzesniewski and a group of researchers validated this observation in a study of 196 people in higher education. 

This research was expanded by Aaron Hurst starting in 2015 in a series of studies with academic institutions (University of Michigan, Grinnell and Seattle Pacific University) and corporate partners (Pwc and LinkedIn). In the research, they reframed the orientations for the next generation as money (work), status (career) and purpose (calling) and studied them across professions, ages, races, countries and industries. The findings were consistent and further developed our understanding of purpose-oriented workers. 

They determined that people with a purpose orientation scored higher on every measure - from performance to personal fulfillment. They also found that purpose orientation cannot be explained by demographic factors like socioeconomic status, age, gender or race, nor by environmental factors such as income, job-level, industry or role. 

The research led the team to reclassify purpose orientation as a purpose mindset. Mindset is a set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. It was popularized by Dr. Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset which has powerfully reshaped the conversation about learning in society. 

A Purpose Mindset is a set of beliefs that enables us to optimize our lives to be fulfilled and in service to people and the planet. 

People with a Purpose Mindset believe:

• Work and school can be a meaningful & valuable part of our lives 
• Work is a place we seek to make a positive impact in the world

People with a Transaction Mindset believe:

• Work and school are a means to an end - to make money and/or prove ourselves 
• School and then work are the places where we secure our financial and social status in the world