Unlocking Purpose: Choice & Authenticity at Work
Posted on August 19, 2025 by Michael Zone, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.
Transform your practice by integrating Choice Theory and Authentic Happiness to help clients find deep satisfaction and purpose in their careers.
The modern professional often feels a profound sense of disconnection, even when achieving traditional markers of success. They may have the corner office and the prestigious title, but an underlying sense of emptiness persists. As career and executive coaches, our role is to help clients move beyond these superficial goals and connect with what truly drives them. This is where the synergy between Choice Theory and Authentic Happiness becomes an invaluable tool.
Choice Theory, developed by Dr. William Glasser, posits that all human behavior is an attempt to satisfy five basic genetic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. In a professional context, these needs manifest in various ways. A client struggling with a micromanager is likely feeling a lack of freedom and power. Someone who feels isolated at work is not having their need for love and belonging met. By framing professional challenges through this lens, you can help clients identify the root cause of their dissatisfaction. It’s not just a bad boss; it’s a fundamental need going unmet.
Authentic Happiness, pioneered by Dr. Martin Seligman, focuses on the three pillars of a fulfilling life: the Pleasant Life, the Engaged Life, and the Meaningful Life. While the Pleasant Life (pursuing positive emotions) and the Meaningful Life (using your signature strengths for a purpose larger than yourself) are crucial, the Engaged Life is particularly relevant for career coaching. The Engaged Life is about finding flow—the state of complete absorption in an activity. When clients are in flow, they are using their unique skills and strengths to their fullest potential. This state is intrinsically rewarding and is a powerful indicator that their work is aligned with their authentic self.
The integration of these two theories provides a robust framework for coaching. You can start by helping clients use Choice Theory to diagnose their professional discontent. Ask questions like: “Which of your basic needs feels most unmet in your current role?” or “How could you gain more freedom or power in your daily tasks?” Once the unmet needs are identified, you can pivot to Authentic Happiness to build a path forward.
For example, a client who feels a lack of power might be an excellent problem-solver. Their need for power can be re-directed by finding opportunities to apply this skill, moving them into the Engaged Life. You can help them discover their signature strengths using tools like the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. Once identified, the task is to find ways for them to apply these strengths more frequently at work. If their strength is creativity, can they propose a new project? If it’s leadership, can they mentor a junior colleague? This process not only satisfies their need for power but also cultivates a sense of genuine engagement and fulfillment.
This dual-approach also addresses the core of our work as coaches: helping clients live more meaningful lives. Logotherapy also provides a great foundation here, emphasizing how focusing on meaning and values addresses issues at both the micro and macro levels. By helping clients find meaning in their work, you’re not just improving their job satisfaction—you’re helping them discover a purpose that transcends their daily tasks. The work becomes an avenue for self-expression and contribution.
Practical Coaching Application:
Needs Assessment: Start with a Choice Theory needs assessment. Ask clients to rate how well their current job satisfies each of the five basic needs. This simple exercise provides a powerful diagnostic.
Strength Identification: Use tools like the VIA Survey to help clients identify their signature strengths. Explain the concept of the Engaged Life and how these strengths can lead to flow.
Bridge the Gap: Once needs and strengths are identified, help the client brainstorm actionable steps to bridge the gap. For a client who needs more fun and has creativity as a strength, the solution might be to find a new role in a more dynamic company or to start a creative side project.
Values-Based Action: Guide the client to take action based on their newfound self-knowledge. Encourage them to experiment with small changes in their current role or to explore new career paths that better align with their needs, strengths, and personal values.
By combining the diagnostic power of Choice Theory with the prescriptive framework of Authentic Happiness, you can guide clients toward a career that doesn’t just pay the bills but also nourishes their soul. You are not just helping them find a job; you are helping them find a profound sense of purpose and a life that feels authentically their own.
