My co-worker, @kimhorn_ville , just told me about the Pink Glove Dance video today after she saw a report on ABC Worldnews. The video features staff from the Providence St. Vincent Medical Center in Portland, Oregon, dancing around the hospital wearing new pink hospital gloves.

They put the video together to encourage people to talk about breast cancer. They succeeded. The video has been viewed over 2 million times on YouTube and has received nearly 4,000 comments. 

What inspires me about the video is the collaboration and camaraderie that is apparent throughout the hospital. As you watch the video, you see nurses, doctors, lab technicians, janitors, cafeteria workers and administrative staff all boogeying down together. Even though many staff members experienced some stage fright, 200 employees cut a rug in the video.

Were the employees engaged in the making of the video? You betcha. They united together for a common mission and goal, and, if I do say so myself, they totally hit it out of the park.

The Pink Glove Dance is a sensation for two reasons. The first reason is the video’s central focus on breast cancer awareness, an important and emotional topic that has affected so many. Second, it shows a group of people working together for a greater purpose and enjoying themselves while they’re at it.

Your employees are no different. Employees desire meaning in their work, especially the up-and-coming Gen Y. They want to be a part of something larger than themselves which is why linking individual goals and projects to the company’s mission and values is critical.

When employees complete a project or make an important sale, managers should recognize the accomplishment and specifically state how it contributes to the organization’s mission and goals. Letting the employee know how their contribution matters can help employee engagement, motivation and retention – and you won’t even need a cameraman.