In recent years, there has been much talk about the purpose of organizations. It has become a recurring theme in leadership, innovation, and talent management forums. Yet, all too often, its true meaning gets diluted into marketing slogans or inspirational phrases disconnected from the company’s reality.
To understand it in a clearer, more tangible way, we can look at nature. Bees offer us a masterclass, as observed by Fernando Iglesias, CEO of Madavi, in a recent LinkedIn post.
Bees: Mission and Purpose of an Organization in Action
Bees have a very clear mission: to make honey. But their purpose goes far beyond that: to pollinate. That difference changes everything.
Honey is the immediate result of their work. But pollination is the profound impact they generate in the world. Thanks to it, ecosystems are sustained, biodiversity flourishes, and humans can feed ourselves.
What’s fascinating is that bees don’t need to do anything extra to fulfill their purpose. The more and better honey they produce, the more they pollinate. Their mission (making honey) is deeply aligned with their purpose (pollinating).
Two Big Lessons on the Purpose of an Organization
And here lie two powerful lessons that we can apply to the business world.
Lesson 1: The purpose of an organization must be significant
An authentic purpose cannot be limited to serving only the interests of the company itself. It must transcend, creating visible and multiplying impact on society.
Just as the purpose of bees sustains entire ecosystems, a company’s purpose should answer one essential question:
What would the world lose if our organization didn’t exist?
When purpose is meaningful, it inspires employees, attracts clients, motivates investors, and generates pride in all who share it.
It is more than a slogan: it is a source of meaning and direction.
Lesson 2: Purpose and mission must be aligned
A lofty purpose is of little use if it isn’t coherent with the company’s daily activities.
If bees had to stop making honey in order to pollinate, they would not be sustainable. Likewise, a company should not “force” external actions to fulfill its purpose.
True purpose is achieved when, by carrying out the daily mission well, a positive impact in the world is naturally created.
When coherence exists, no extra effort is required: it is enough to strive for excellence in what is already being done.
This creates a virtuous circle: the better the mission is executed, the more the purpose is amplified; and the stronger the purpose, the more meaningful the mission becomes.
What Should Be the Characteristics of an Organization’s Purpose?
Following the lesson of the bees, we could summarize two essential traits:
- Transcendence
– Goes beyond the company.
– Creates impact on clients, society, and the environment.
– Provides deep meaning, not just economic benefit.
- Coherence
– Is connected to the mission and daily activities.
– Is not an artificial addition, but the natural result of doing the work well.
– Its strength lies in alignment: mission and purpose reinforce each other.
A Final Reflection on the Purpose of an Organization
The purpose of an organization is not a corporate accessory. It is the compass that gives meaning, inspires, and connects a company with the world.
Like bees, organizations that understand this generate impact that transcends—and at the same time, secure their own sustainability.
Perhaps the big question for every company, leader, or team is this:
Are we only making honey… or are we also pollinating?