Career and Calling: How Leaders Find True Success

Career and calling in the context of successful leadership

The terms 'Beruf' (profession) and 'Berufung' (calling) describe two closely related aspects of working life for leaders. 'Beruf' encompasses the clear tasks, responsibilities, and objectives that need to be fulfilled. 'Berufung', on the other hand, represents the inner motivation, the purpose, and the enjoyment derived from the activity. The connection between profession and calling significantly contributes to leaders realising their potential and experiencing high professional success.

In practice, the balance between career and calling is a challenge. Leaders must pursue economic goals while simultaneously integrating the aspect of personal fulfilment. Those who unite career and calling act authentically, inspire employees, and contribute positively to the company culture.

How leaders actively connect career and calling

Leaders should be aware of their various roles, such as strategy developers, network builders, or talent promoters. For each of these roles, it is crucial how career and calling interact. For example, a leader acting as an entrepreneur will not only succeed in implementing business strategies but also in fostering innovation with passion.

Another example is the role of a Change Manager. When personal conviction to make a difference aligns with professional tasks, a sustainable drive to shape change processes positively emerges. Conscious reflection on one's own values in harmony with the company vision can create a sense of purpose and thus increase motivation.

BEST PRACTICE at company XYZ (name changed due to NDA contract) It has been observed that the leader does not only see their daily work as a job, but as a calling. This attitude means that despite high levels of pressure during times of crisis, they remain calm and proactively support their team, which significantly improves collaboration.

Impacts on company culture and employee motivation

Profession and calling have a direct impact on company culture. Leaders who experience their work as a calling show more commitment and create an empathic working environment. Employees sense this inner conviction and feel valued, which strengthens their loyalty to the company.

In practice, it has been shown that a culture in which both career and calling are lived promotes creativity and innovation. When leaders act with purpose, it improves communication within the team and enhances collective problem-solving skills.

BEST PRACTICE at ABC (name changed due to NDA contract) The manager implemented a regular values reflection meeting, where personal motivations and company goals are aligned. This led to a noticeable strengthening of the sense of togetherness and a tangible increase in employee engagement.

Profession and vocation as drivers of sustainable success

The combination of profession and calling is an essential driver of long-term success for leaders. By consciously experiencing one's role as meaningful, higher resilience and pronounced robustness emerge during stressful periods. This not only supports personal development but also has a positive impact on team performance.

In practice, this means that successful leaders know their own values and talents, integrate these into their daily tasks, and thus act authentically. Employees experience this authenticity as motivation and are encouraged to develop their own potential.

BEST PRACTICE at LMN (name changed due to NDA contract) The leader used coaching and self-reflection to recognise their personal motivations and incorporate them into their leadership style. The result was a sustainable improvement in team dynamics and a more stable foundation for achieving business objectives.

My analysis

For leaders, career and calling are not opposites, but complementary forces. By integrating the personal search for meaning into everyday professional life, a powerful dynamic is created that fosters motivation, authenticity and success. It is important that leaders actively shape this process and reflect on it regularly. This not only strengthens individual potential, but the entire work environment gains character and inspiration.

Further links from the text above:

[1] Career and calling: How to master both as a leader
[3] This is how leaders unlock their full potential – SAULDIE
[5] Calling – Simply and clearly explained

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