Lost in the Crowd? How to Rediscover Purpose and Build Real Social Equity at Work

In our last two blog posts, we explored the deep connection between legacy and purpose—and how living purposefully is what truly delivers value to our communities and ourselves. When we take small, intentional actions every day, those efforts compound into meaningful impact—whether we witness the results or not.

But in today’s fast-paced world, why do so many professionals struggle with finding purpose at work or feeling a genuine sense of meaning in their careers?

The Hidden Cost of Chasing Approval Over Building Social Equity

The answer often lies in where we focus our energy: Are we seeking approval, or are we cultivating authentic social equity?

For many, modern work environments are defined by large, complex organizations. Within these systems, employees can feel like just another face in a crowd—each person competing for resources, recognition, and advancement. As organizations scale beyond 150 people, they naturally split into subcultures (Logan, King, & Fischer-Wright, 2008), often leading to conflicting values and internal competition that undermine shared goals.

To make things even more complex, organizational structure (the way teams, reporting lines, and responsibilities are arranged) is often disconnected from the real social hierarchy—the informal networks and relationships that actually drive work forward.

Why Social Networks Matter More Than Org Charts

Here’s what that means in practice:

• Organizational structure tells us who’s on which team, who reports to whom, and what each group is responsible for.

• Team culture and informal networks, however, shape who talks to whom, how information flows, and who really gets things done.

  
  

People naturally collaborate with colleagues they know and trust. As a result, social capital—the goodwill, influence, and trust we build—becomes transactional. Those with less perceived power or knowledge often default to seeking approval, hoping to protect their standing by pleasing those higher up the ladder.

Earning approval is not the same as building authentic social equity. It’s working for likability, sometimes at the expense of your own values and well-being.

The Fine Line Between Appreciation and Exploitation

Wanting to be liked isn’t inherently bad; it’s human. But there’s a crucial difference between being appreciated for your contributions and being exploited because you’re eager to please.

• Likability is rooted in a need for external validation, as if your worth depends on others’ approval.

• True social capital is built by consistently showing up, being reliable, and contributing authentically—without sacrificing your well-being to win approval.

  
  

When you overextend yourself just to keep the “monster” (the organization) happy, you risk starving your own sense of purpose. You become so focused on meeting every demand that you lose sight of your unique strengths and the deeper impact you’re meant to make.

Reclaiming Your Purpose at Work

Here’s the reality: Your purpose isn’t defined by your job title or your ability to please others. It comes from aligning your time, talents, and energy with what truly matters to you—and making intentional choices about how you contribute.

Action Steps to Rediscover Purpose in Your Career:

1. Clarify Your Values: What do you stand for? What impact do you want to have?

2. Audit Your Commitments: Are you overcommitting to win approval, or are you investing in work that aligns with your purpose?

3. Build Authentic Connections: Focus on relationships that foster trust, growth, and shared values—not just transactional exchanges.

4. Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy. Remember, saying “no” can be an act of self-respect and purpose.

5. Reflect Regularly: Check in with yourself—are you living in alignment with your values, or just feeding the organizational “monster”?

   
   

Remember: You can never save time, but you can always choose how you spend it. Reclaiming your purpose at work starts with small, intentional actions—ones that honor your values, build real social equity, and empower you to craft a legacy that matters.

✨ Ready to dive deeper? Explore more on The Empowerment Method™ and start crafting your own path to meaningful work and lasting impact.