How do you communicate your purpose to others and build supportive networks?

I believe the most impactful leaders know their "why" — their purpose, the driving force behind everything they do. It's the fuel that keeps them going, the compass that guides their decisions. It's more than a job title; it's their passion, their impact, their legacy. To find yours, you've got to dig deep and ask yourself the tough questions. Self-assessment is key here. When you truly understand your "why," communicating it becomes effortless, and you'll attract the right people who resonate with your vision. It's about finding your tribe, your people. Those who understand your purpose and want to be a part of it.

Based on my experience, it's simpler to explain short-term and specific purposes, like completing a project by a deadline. But long-term purposes are trickier to convey. Often, we're unclear about our own purpose. Yet, if we're clear, genuine communication can make a difference. Building your network comes down to two things: Can your network trust you, and can your purpose aid them in solving their problems, whether directly or indirectly?

To effectively communicate my vision to my team, I make sure to explain how each person's goals fit into the overall mission of the organization. This helps everyone feel like they belong and understand their purpose. I break down the big vision into smaller, more manageable parts that are specific to each business unit. This promotes ownership and accountability. By doing this, team members feel more responsible for their tasks and are more engaged in their work. Open dialogue and collaboration are also key. I encourage my team to share their ideas and feedback. This helps align our processes and resources, making it easier to monitor progress and make adjustments throughout the year.

One of the easiest ways to identify your purpose is to see patterns in your peak life experiences. 1. Ask yourself: - When in your life did you feel most fulfilled and alive? - When did your life had the most meaning? 2. List 2-3 experiences. 3. Look for patterns and values in those peak experiences by asking the following: - What were you doing, whom were you with? - What impact did you have? - What was important at that time? - How did you grow? This will help you identify both your values and your purpose.

Den eigenen Zweck, die eigene Vision zu finden, ist für viele von uns eine Herausforderung - aus dem einfachen Grund, dass wir es in der Regel nie gelernt haben.. zu sehr schwingen noch Paradigmen wie ?finde einen sicheren Job“ mit, Kinder werden gefragt, ?was m?chtest du werden, wenn du gro? bist?“. Die Fragen, die wir uns stellen sollten, sind doch eher ?In was für einer Welt m?chte ich leben?“ und ?Wie kann ich meine St?rken bestm?glich einbringen, um einen Beitrag zu leisten?“. Hilfreich ist dabei das Konzept des IKIGAI, das ich in meinem Buch ?Raus aus dem Goldenen K?fig“ erweitert habe: die Blütenbl?tter werden dort gehalten von dem St?ngel der Resilienz, und gen?hrt (oder vergiftet) von unserem Umfeld und dessen Glaubenss?tzen.

The way to communicate your purpose and values is: 1. Act on your purpose and values. You don’t really need to broadcast it. By acting on your purpose, you will naturally attract like minded people and those you can serve meaningfully. 2. Make decisions according to your values every day. 3. Communicate when values are in conflict. For example, if you value honesty, yet your manager wants you to cover up issues, be courageous, stay true to yourself and communicate the conflict.

Eine starke Vision, oder ein Zielbild zu haben, das emotional besetzt ist und sich aus unseren Erfahrungen, unseren Werten und unserer Vorstellung einer idealen Welt zusammensetzt, hilft nicht nur uns selbst, in schwierigen Zeiten den Kopf über Wasser zu halten, sondern wirkt auch anziehend auf unser Umfeld. Wir werden feststellen: je klarer wir darin sind, in je mehr wir uns trauen, in die Emotionalit?t damit zu gehen, desto mehr Menschen werden sich finden, die uns dabei unterstützen. übertragen auf ein Unternehmen bedeutet das: je klarer, ehrlicher und emotionaler die Vision des Inhabers/der Inhaberin ist, desto weniger wird dieses Unternehmen unter Fachkr?ftemangel leiden.

Writing down your purpose would help you bring it from your mind to your paper. Sometimes, we think a lot, and we get confused in our own thinking. When we write it down, we can look at it clearer and see plot holes and blindspots that need to be filled. Revisit what you written, every 6 months or a year, things may change, and your purpose may shift. It's okay, it's a lifetime process, to refine your purpose in living and passing on your legacy.

My "WHY" statement is as follows: To help people become more resilient so that they can enjoy more happiness in their lives. Communicating your "WHY" is easier said than done. LinkedIn is a great place to share your "WHY" in the "About" section of your profile. If you are looking to attract like-minded people who believe what you believe, becoming a content creator is a great place to start. It's not the number of followers you have that's important, it's the quality of the engagement you get that matters. Inspire one person at a time. Your first follower plays a crucial role, they need to show others how to follow you, so embrace them as an equal. To quote Derek Sivers..."Your first follower is what turns a lone nut into a leader".

Authenticity is your most compelling asset when communicating your purpose. Use storytelling to humanize your mission. Structure your narrative with three elements: The Why (your inspiration), The How (your unique approach), and The What (your goals). For instance, share a pivotal moment when your purpose crystallized—perhaps a challenge that sparked your passion for resilience planning. Supplement your story with a concise mission statement and engage digital platforms (like LinkedIn) to amplify your voice. Consistent and transparent communication fosters trust and attracts like-minded allies.

The best way to gain support for your ideas is to show how they will impact and make a difference to the people who will be supporting you. So instead of a 'I do it because of' approach, try switching the narrative to 'You will love this because'...

Clarify your vision, participate actively in professional groups, work with mentors, engage sponsors, offer support, and leverage social media. Consistent and authentic engagement will lead to meaningful relationships that can support your professional and personal growth.

Besides building the network, it’s important to nurture it. Considering your purpose, how can you add value, collaborate and support others? 1. Serve first, benefit later. 2. Align your contributions to your goals and values. 3. Be open to unexpected opportunities.

Mein Modell von Resilienz ist das eines inneren Spinnennetzes, das aus 7 F?den besteht. Dieses k?nnen wir selbst st?rker spinnen. Das Netz schwebt jedoch nicht in der Luft, sondern ist - im besten Fall - in einen starken Baum gesponnen, der auch Stürmen standh?lt (und der wiederum Teil eines gesunden Waldes ist). Dieser Baum symbolisiert unser Umfeld, das stark ist und uns unterstützt. Ein solches Umfeld entsteht aber auch nur, wenn wir uns kümmern, und für andere da sind, andere unterstützen. Schon Adam Grant in seinem Buch ?Give and Take“ hat das beschrieben: die erfolgreichsten Menschen sind die Geber. Nicht die Nehmer (und auch nicht die Matcher).

Ensure you ask for specific feedback that is aligned with your goals, values and purpose. For example, if you were to deliver a presentation and you wanted to improve your storytelling skills, ask for feedback about your storytelling. By asking specifically, you are: - Demonstrating your commitment to your growth - Helping your leader to provide precise, actionable feedback - Avoiding feedback that is vague and unhelpful

Engage in open conversations with sponsors, coaches, mentors and peers. Ask, and be willing to be asked, targeted questions to refine and articulate your personal drivers and goals that help others to understand your purpose. Embracing both positive insights and constructive comments that can encourage your network to share their true opinions and provide support for you. Remember to always bear a sense of humility and have a genuine appreciation when interacting with others. Building a support network is essential in gaining traction for your purpose and is essential in ensuring your resilience to achieve your goals.

Feedback simply holds you accountable to the process. It should be fact based and not subjective. Feedback is you opportunity to learn and grow. Double down on what is working and revamp what needs improving. Without feedback, what you think is grit and resilience might march you right off of the proverbial cliff. Mentors and coaches who have walked a mile in your shoes and not only survived but thrived tend to be the best advisors.

Feedback is only valuable if it’s actionable and growth-oriented. Structure feedback sessions with SMART criteria—specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound. When seeking guidance, frame your inquiries to elicit actionable advice. For instance, instead of asking, “What do you think of my purpose?” ask, “How can I better align my communication strategy to resonate with diverse stakeholders?” Consider forming an advisory group of mentors from varied disciplines to gain a multidimensional perspective on your purpose.

Neuroplasticity is the ability to change and adapt based on our experiences and environment. This ability to adapt and evolve is critical for leaders because it allows us to stay ahead and respond effectively to new challenges and situations.

Adaptability is key to sustaining your purpose and achieving long-term success. The business landscape is constantly changing, and being able to pivot and evolve is essential. I've learned to stay flexible and open to new ideas, always ready to adjust my strategies based on feedback and emerging trends. Innovations in AI, for instance, have become a focused initiative at Lush Décor.. Embracing change not only keeps your purpose relevant but also demonstrates resilience and innovation to your network. Through it all, maintaining your core dream and vision ensures that you stay true to your mission while navigating new challenges and opportunities.

In order to adapt and evolve you need to embrace change. While often change can cause anxiety, look at change as a way to test and strengthen your skills. Change often offers unpredictable chances. Be open to even notice these chances, e.g. for your career, and act on theses chances. This is basically the principle of serendipity.

Build a “Purpose Evolution Framework” to ensure adaptability. Revisit your purpose annually by evaluating three dimensions: relevance to current societal needs, alignment with personal growth, and feedback from stakeholders. Treat deviations or doubts as recalibration opportunities, not failures. Embrace experimentation by piloting projects outside your comfort zone to discover new facets of your purpose. For example, a logistics professional might explore partnerships in the tech industry to integrate AI into supply chain resilience, broadening their scope.

Celebrating implies a thankful heart. Don't be oblivious to the gift of grace. Lots of people are drunk on success and the next big achievement, yet celebrating is putting markers of good fortune... so you can track how far you have come.

Success is not a solo endeavour. Even if you’re a #solopreneur, there are family and friends supporting your journey, strategic partners working beside you, and clients you are accountable to. When you share your successes, you’re thanking everyone that’s part of the process, acknowledging the hard work it takes, and promoting your purpose in a mindful way.

Exercise gratitude whenever you master a small or big challenge. At the end of each week take your time to look back at positive outcomes of your actions regarding work as well as your private life. You may keep a journal to keep track at your weekly successes. This will strengthen other key elements of resilience, such as optimism and self-efficacy. Overall, an attitude of gratitude will even be good for your health as many studies in mindfulness show.

Celebration is a leadership tool that fuels momentum and strengthens networks. Use milestones to spotlight collective achievements rather than individual success, reinforcing community. For instance, if you’ve implemented a business continuity program that mitigated risks, share a case study detailing the impact, crediting collaborators. Recognize your network publicly via blogs or events to nurture loyalty and inspire broader engagement. Storytelling your celebrations helps translate achievements into opportunities for others to join your mission.

Leverage the power of emotional intelligence to bridge your purpose and networks. People resonate with authenticity, empathy, and shared aspirations. Regularly practice reflective listening and adapt your communication to the emotional and cultural dynamics of your audience. For example, when pitching your purpose to international stakeholders, incorporate their unique perspectives and align your narrative with their challenges. A purpose-driven leader builds not just networks but movements, by genuinely valuing and amplifying the voices of others.