Meet them in the middle

Visual form

Nested-circle framework with scenario examples.

Layout / body structure

The chart has one large concentric-circle diagram on top and three smaller scenario diagrams along the bottom. Read the nested circles first to understand the hierarchy of purpose layers, then move left to right through the three employee scenarios to see how different alignments or misalignments play out in practice.

What is being compared

The chart compares three layers of purpose: purpose outside of work, purpose from work, and purpose from organization. It then compares three employee scenarios showing different relationships between an individual’s own sense of purpose, the company’s purpose, and whether the employee feels fulfilled by work.

Measurement system

This chart does not use numeric axes or percentages; it uses relative circle size and nesting to indicate scope and control. The largest outer ring represents purpose outside of work, the middle ring represents purpose from work, and the smallest center circle represents purpose from organization, which the caption explicitly says is the only aspect the organization controls directly.

Visible structure inside the graphic

The main diagram is a three-layer bullseye with text embedded inside each ring, making the hierarchy visually explicit. The bottom row repeats the same circle language in miniature, but changes the degree of overlap or separation to illustrate Nicole’s alignment, Nancy’s lack of fulfillment despite alignment with company purpose, and Katherine’s misalignment with company purpose.

Main takeaway from the visual

Organizations can influence only one small part of an employee’s broader purpose system, so they need to meet employees where they are rather than assuming company purpose alone creates fulfillment. The visual makes that clear because the smallest inner circle sits inside much larger personal-purpose layers, and the three scenarios show that similar organizational inputs can lead to very different employee outcomes.

Key standout values or extremes

The strongest visual extreme is the size contrast between the small center circle for purpose from organization and the much larger outer circle for purpose outside of work. In the scenarios, Nicole’s circles are aligned and nested, Nancy’s company-purpose circle is small relative to her larger work-purpose circle even though alignment exists, and Katherine’s bright company-purpose circle is visibly detached from the larger dark work-purpose circle, signaling misalignment and lack of fulfillment.

Controls / sequence, when applicable

This is a static chart image with no in-chart controls to operate.

Companion media, when applicable

There is no separate companion audio or video; the chart image is the full visual on this page.