Press Room

A cutting-edge approach to motivation unleashing the power of the
Passion Profiler^TM to build engaged, unstoppable teams-
while recruiting, managing, and cultivating the strongest leaders possible

"Increasingly ... individuals are searching for a work identity that is an expression of their purpose and passions and a home for that identity inside the organization. ... Research has proven that while there is a baseline level of pay that individuals expect for their work, offering more money ... will not lead to greater motivation and commitment to work. ... Purpose and passion are the internal drivers that determine employees' performance and their commitment to the organization."
-From Chapter One of THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION

What drives today's employees? How can employers best utilize their talent pool, especially in the current fiscal climate? Searching for the optimal combination of incentives that will deliver the best business results while building employee engagement, loyalty and retention, the founders of Purpose Linked Consulting, Alaina Love and Marc Cugnon, conducted extensive research with more than 1,000 leaders and managers across a global spectrum of industries. Love and Cugnon revealed ten patterns of how individuals express their inspiration and drive. The key to building stellar teams, these ten Passion Archetypes can now be leveraged by all leaders to generate unprecedented success, with THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results (McGraw-Hill; May 2009).

THE PURPOSED LINKED ORGANIZATION reveals that personal fulfillment is linked to a combination of job satisfaction, a sense of calling, and the ability to contribute to larger societal needs. Most managers overlook these connections, missing opportunities to build deep levels of commitment. Enhancing both immediate and long-term effects on organizational performance, the authors show how to:

• Align individual passions in order to further organizational goals
• Partner team members whose passion archetypes are complementary
• Become aware of archetypal characteristics that may create hurdles
• Increase job satisfaction, morale, retention, productivity, and profits

Filled with descriptive examples and vivid case studies, THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION also includes access to the Passion Profiler^TM, a customized online tool developed to better align individuals with fulfilling career paths. When completed alone, the Passion Profiler^TM identifies key motivators for the individual, contributing to successful career planning and a lifetime of professional satisfaction. When completed as a group exercise, the Passion Profiler^TM helps team members better understand what drives their colleagues, and what behavior and work environments might best draw out their passions. The profiles include descriptions of strengths, vulnerabilities, possible positive and negative pairings with other archetypes, and examples of leaders who demonstrate that profile. Archetype profiles include:

• The Connector: Connectors are naturally gifted at conflict-resolution and negotiation. They thrive on building bridges between people, departments, organizations and industries and can be relied upon to introduce those with problems to those with solutions.

• The Transformer: Avid seekers of change, Transformers are always on the lookout for ways to improve the organization. Unlike other archetypes, Transformers are eager not only to embrace a new direction, but also to convert others to do the same.

• The Altruist: A fierce advocate for others (even strangers), Altruists will challenge the organization to function responsibly and to contribute meaningfully to the broader community.

• The Processor: An asset to organizations that are navigating change or chaos. Processors analyze information, draw conclusions that can be acted upon and establish need structure. This often includes the nuts and bolts of what an organization is really about, whether that is quality assurance in manufacturing, developing financial guideline or establishing operational standards.

Designed in a user-friendly format, the book is also packed with revelations about the profiles of top leaders from a broad assortment of fields, ranging from pharmaceutical giant Merck's famed CEO, Roy Vagelos to Navy Blue Angles Flight Commander Greg McWherter. Concluding with advice for leveraging individual and team passions (including the powerful yet simple Positive Performance Triad) THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION raises critical issues all leaders should examine and address: Are we getting the best results from the full range of talent in the organization? Am I engaged in my work based on my motivations and passions, instead of rungs on a ladder? And are we assisting our employees in experience meaning and fulfilling work that aligns with the drivers defined by their Passion Archetype?

Providing the missing link talent management and employee engagements, THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION ignites and unites the passion, purpose and potential in every individual.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS: Two of America's top human-resource authorities, Alaina Love and Marc Cugnon are co-founders of Purpose Linked Consulting, an international leadership and organizational development consulting firm that forges connections between individual purpose, passion, and corporate goals. Love has nearly thirty years of experience as an executive in a variety of industries. Cugnon has over three decades of experience as a senior executive and regional vice president in the pharmaceutical industry. Their firm is based in Flint Hill, Virginia.

THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION: How Passionate Leaders Inspire Winning Teams and Great Results by Alaina Love and Marc Cugnon; McGraw-Hill; May 2009; Cloth; ISBN: 13: 978-07-162470-1; 10: 0-07-162470-8; Price: $27.95
Suggested Interview Topics to Discuss with Alaina Love,
author of The Purpose Linked Organization

1. In terms of human resource management, what are the biggest mistakes being made by team leaders, and team members, in today's organizations?

2. What inspired Marc Cugnon and you to produce the Passion Profiler^TM? Please tell us about the research methods you applied.

3. What makes the Passion Profiler^TM relevant in today's unpredictable economic climate? How can leaders "leverage" passion?

4. How did you decide which high-profile leaders to feature in the book? Which results were the most surprising to you? How did you discern archetype examples, such as that of USAir Captain "Sully" Sullenberger (a Processor)?

5. What sets THE PURPOSE LINKED ORGANIZATION apart from other books on team building or finding the right career path?

6. What results can organizations expect to see if they implement the Passion Profiler^TM ? What transformations have you seen in clients of Purpose Linked Consulting?

7. What did you discover about your own Archetype? How has it demonstrated itself throughout your career?

8. Discuss the Positive Performance Triad, one of the culminating applications you recommend. Do most companies link these three components, or are they usually used (misused) in isolation?

9. The book also emphasizes the importance of stillness and contemplation. What would you tell readers who say they don't have enough time for this in their lives?

10. Discuss the economics of passion and the impact on business results. What should companies understand about behaviors that passion generates?