Leader: Employees Must Feel Meaning and Growth, Not Just Function

People should not be reduced to mere functions or "cogs" in a company, but rather be given the opportunity to grow and feel the meaning of their work, says P. Masiulis, head of Tele2. He believes that leaders must ensure employees feel valued and can develop their potential, as this leads to better results.

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Work takes up a huge part of a person's life – practically half of their quality time. A leader's duty is to ensure that this time is not just about fulfilling a function. A person must feel that they are growing, that their work is important, that they can unfold. Otherwise, we turn people into cogs – and that is neither sustainable nor fair.

Masiulis criticizes the corporate model where employees are seen as interchangeable parts. "We are people, and a person needs to feel meaning, needs to grow, to unfold," he stated. He suggests that many individuals do not reach their full potential simply because they are in the wrong environment or position, stressing the importance of finding the right place for them to showcase their strengths.

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We are people, and a person needs to feel meaning, needs to grow, to unfold.

He also advocates for trust over excessive control, arguing that employees perform best when given freedom and responsibility. "I never liked it when someone stood behind my back, asking questions or explaining how I should work," Masiulis shared. He believes that empowering employees with decision-making autonomy and challenging tasks, even those they haven't mastered yet, fosters growth and motivation.

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I never liked it when someone stood behind my back, asking questions or explaining how I should work.

Masiulis acknowledges that mistakes are inevitable in a fast-paced business environment. However, he views them calmly, seeing them as indicators that people are working at their maximum capacity. A positive work atmosphere, he concludes, directly impacts performance, as happy employees, both at work and in their personal lives, can achieve significantly more.

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A person needs to be given a task that they don't know how to do yet, but will be able to do by improving themselves and putting in more effort. When they succeed, that's when motivation arises to strive even further.