With over 30,000 interviews to our name, Vanderbloemen has mastered the art of identifying the best. It comes down to 12 data-driven traits that set the greatest workers apart as “Unicorns.” These traits are covered in-depth in William Vanderbloemen’s new book Be the Unicorn.
But even the best of the best aren’t expected to master all 12 traits simultaneously. Excellence in just one of these traits can qualify a candidate for a vital role on your team. We believe each member of our team of experts exemplifies these traits in various ways, and we’ve chosen one person to highlight how each trait translates in the workplace.
The final Unicorn trait is purpose-driven. The book explains that developing your sense of “why” will accelerate the “what” that you do. In this way, being purpose-driven is the key to success.
One person who stands out on the Vanderbloemen team for living purpose-filled days is Vice President of Consulting Tim Gocha. Early in his career, Tim had a strong calling into ministry. Listening to that calling changed the course of his life.
“I couldn't shake it,” Tim says. “Even though I was happy in doing what I was doing, I could not shake this call.”
Ever since then, he has not settled in his desire to work and live within the calling that God has for him. He says the Lord called him to ministry for 30 years, and he has the same confidence in his present calling to serve at Vanderbloemen.
“I really believe that this is my purpose,” Tim says. “This is my ministry and I want to be great at it.”
Purpose in the Workplace
Colossians 3:23 captures the essence of purpose-filled work. It says, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Living this out has given Tim a reason to wake up every morning with joy and energy. That deeper purpose is the reason why he can devote himself to his work. His belief in the “why” motivates him to actively participate.
Tim’s purpose drives him to focus on the work at hand to an extent that is impossible without the drive.
Being purpose-driven can fuel almost every other Unicorn trait. For example, being productive during the day, curious about how to improve, prepared for issues that might thwart the purpose, self-awareness of how you fit into the purpose, authentic in your desire to work well.
Once you find purpose, don’t settle for anything less.
Finding Purpose
“I do believe that every one of us are born for a purpose, born for a cause,” Tim says. “It's not as though purpose cannot change, because it does. I think purpose changes with seasons of life. But I also think that being purpose driven remains the core of our being.”
When God puts a calling on your life, it can feel like a “holy discontent” until you follow through. If you are blessed to feel a specific calling toward a purpose, the application is to follow through. Do the scary thing and change careers, move far away, whatever it is, if you know prayerfully that the calling is from the Lord.
If you do not know what it is, pray, read the Word, and do the next right thing, one step at a time, suggests Tim. Align your life with what God is doing in the city around you, and you may discover purpose that motivates you along the way.
Know yourself, Tim says, and you’ll soon find where you fit into greater purposes around you.
“Once you've experienced [having purpose], you never want to go back,” Tim says. “Life is not mundane. Life is to be lived, and it is to be enjoyed, and it is to be driven in a direction that you are doing something worthwhile.”
We’re so blessed to have unicorns on our team like Tim, and we want to equip your team with candidates just like him. To start the search for your own top talent, get in touch today.
To learn more about the 12 traits the best employees share, order Be the Unicorn for yourself, a friend, or even your whole team. Buying in bulk can save you up to 47% off the cover price, plus it comes with bonus content and other extra perks.
Finally, if you’d like to assess the strengths of your own team, check out the Vander Index, our new tool that's a companion to Be the Unicorn, based on our years of data collection and experience.