Profession and vocation: how managers can realise their full potential

Profession and vocation - the key to developing the potential of managers

The terms profession and vocation describe two aspects of working life that are closely linked for managers. While the profession encompasses the clearly defined scope of tasks and responsibilities within the company, the vocation stands for deeper motivation, meaningfulness and personal enjoyment of the work. The combination of profession and vocation enables managers to realise their full potential and lead authentically.

The importance of profession and vocation in management practice

Managers are faced with the everyday challenge of achieving economic goals and at the same time finding personal fulfilment in their work. Profession and vocation play a central role in this, because their inner conviction and meaningful drive enable them to see their daily work not just as a duty, but as a personal task. This attitude has an impact on motivation and the way the team works together.

Many managers report a higher level of commitment when they experience their job as a vocation. This inner connection promotes the development of a corporate culture based on appreciation and inspiration. Employees feel understood and supported when their leader demonstrates a genuine personal connection to their role.

How managers actively combine career and vocation

Managers can specifically reflect on their different roles in order to combine their profession and vocation. It helps to identify personal values and harmonise them with the corporate vision. For example, as an innovator, a manager can not only recognise technical opportunities, but also passionately drive the development of new approaches.

Similarly, a change manager can act particularly effectively if he or she accompanies the change in the company with a deeply felt mission. The combination of profession and vocation creates clarity in decision-making and revitalises a value-oriented management style.

BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) Here, a manager was supported in aligning her management style more closely with her personal values. Intensive reflection revealed individual strengths, which she actively integrated into strategy discussions and team meetings. The result was a more motivated workforce and better cooperation across departments.

The role of personal values in combining career and vocation

Personal values form the foundation on which career and vocation are built. Leaders who know their values and live them in their day-to-day work not only realise their own potential, but also have a positive impact on the corporate culture. Value-orientated leadership often leads to greater satisfaction and more sustainable employee loyalty.

The integration of career and vocation through values work has an impact on different levels: It promotes talent management, for example, because managers take a keen interest in the development of employees. At the same time, impulses are created that enrich everyday working life with meaning and depth.

BEST PRACTICE at ABC (name changed due to NDA contract) In this case, a manager used the values analysis methodology to realign her professional goals. Her focus shifted from thinking purely in terms of results to more strongly supporting the individual potential in the team. This led to new project ideas and a fruitful culture of innovation.

Profession and vocation as drivers of leadership authenticity and innovation

Leadership is particularly effective when profession and vocation work together. Authenticity arises when managers act on their own initiative and do not just follow predetermined expectations. This enables them to act as role models and master challenging situations with confidence.

In addition, the combination of profession and vocation supports innovation processes. Managers who are enthusiastic about their work create an atmosphere in the organisation that promotes creativity and a willingness to change. These prerequisites are particularly important in today's dynamic working world.

BEST PRACTICE at DEF (name changed due to NDA contract) A manager in a technology sector managed to lead her team through a phase of major change with personal commitment and a sense of shared vocation. The openness to new ideas and the emotional connection to the shared task promoted the successful implementation of innovation projects.

My analysis

The active combination of profession and vocation enables managers to grow their personality and leadership qualities. Integrating these dimensions into everyday working life not only creates greater personal satisfaction, but also a sustainably successful leadership culture. The conscious handling of personal values and a coherent understanding of roles form the decisive starting point for the realisation of full potential.

Further links from the text above:

[1] Profession and vocation: How to master both as a manager

[3] Profession and vocation: how managers can realise their full potential

[5] Vocation - Explained simply and clearly - Job coordinates

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