People don’t burn out because they’re working too hard. They burn out because they’re working without meaning.

We’ve seen it again and again: companies throw perks at the problem. More benefits. More wellness initiatives. More pizza. But no matter how good the snacks are, they can’t replace a sense of purpose.

What actually drives engagement? Three things:

  • Clarity of mission – Do I understand what we’re really here to do?
  • Connection to impact – Can I see how my work makes a difference?
  • Feedback that fuels growth – Am I growing in a direction that matters—to the company and to me?

People don’t want more measurement. They want more meaning. They want to say:

  • “I know how I matter here.”
  • “I trust my manager to tell me the truth.”
  • “I can see the impact we’re making—and I see myself in it.”

When a system connects work to mission, feedback to development, and goals to purpose—it doesn’t just engage employees. It transforms them into owners.