Employees in knowledge-based business environments are purpose-driven, comfortable with change and uncertainty, and work best when assigned responsibility for achieving outcomes with the freedom to determine how. It is important for leaders to consider these qualities when communicating direction.

While visiting NASA for the first time in 1962, President John F. Kennedy encountered a janitor walking down the hallway with a broom and asked him what he did, the gentleman replied, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” When everyone in your organization understands their purpose, amazing things happen. Here are some thoughts to help your organization have a NASA-like purpose.