Finding Purpose at Work - Kearney and Ikigai

Kearney is using the Japanese philosophy of Ikigai to inspire staff and improve engagement, aiming to boost purpose and belonging, but the effort still faces the challenge of sustaining long term cultural change. In a sector known for intense hours and high expectations, even small gains in employee morale can shape productivity and retention.

The global consulting firm had noticed in 2023 that employee feedback around meaning and belonging was dipping, signaling a disconnect between day-to-day work and individual fulfilment. That’s when leadership across the Asia Pacific region began adopting Ikigai to reframe the employee experience. Widely interpreted as “a reason for being,” Ikigai encourages people to identify the intersection of what they love, what they’re good at, what the world needs, and what they can be paid for.

Since rolling out the initiative, employees are encouraged each month to share personal stories about their sense of purpose - often related to hobbies, community work, or passions outside their job description. From stories about working with space projects to insights on building team culture, employees are engaging in a more human way. These narratives are shared globally and visually displayed in offices as a sign of the culture shift.

So far, the approach looks promising. Internal satisfaction scores in inclusion, diverse perspectives, and work-life support have risen a few percentage points between 2023 and 2024. The company aims to see further improvement later this year, particularly when it comes to how employees perceive their impact and purpose. While the broader effects take time, this approach seems to be helping people feel more connected to their work and one another.

Source: Australian Financial Review, Health Action, Kearney