Leading with Purpose: Insights from the Larch Ladies Book Club

Not all heroes wear capes, and not all leaders bear titles.

Leadership isn’t just about holding a title, managing people, or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about something far deeper—purpose. Larch Book Club explored this idea through a chapter on Lead-Her-Ship. The discussion wasn’t about traditional definitions of leadership, but about the personal and profound ways we each lead, grounded in our unique purpose.

Leadership is shaped by something greater than skill or opportunity—it is driven by a deep sense of "why."

We don’t lead just because we can; we lead because we are compelled by something meaningful, something that resonates with our core values and strengths. Each woman shared how her purpose informs her leadership in different spaces, whether in the workplace, her community, or personal life.

As you read on, we hope that one of these stories on how purpose helps us to lead resonates with you as a way to lead with purpose.

Leading Teams with Strength and Vision

One of the ladies shared that she’s naturally found herself in leadership roles, especially in work settings where leading teams feels natural to her.

Her purpose is rooted in guiding people towards a shared vision, ensuring that everyone works together to achieve a common goal.

For her, leadership is about clarity and direction—she thrives when she can motivate others, organize efforts, and see her team succeed.

Her strength lies in her ability to bring out the best in others, aligning individual talents toward collective success.

Filling the Gaps with Initiative

Another lady spoke about how she often steps into leadership roles when she notices gaps. She doesn’t necessarily seek leadership; instead, it finds her when something needs to be done.

Her purpose is to solve problems and make things better, whether that’s in her workplace or community.

This kind of leadership isn’t about authority; it’s about stepping up when the moment calls for it.

She described it as leading with initiative—she takes action when others hesitate, filling the spaces where she sees the most need.

Being a Voice for the Voiceless

For one of our members, leadership means advocacy. She shared how she often finds herself standing up for those who can’t speak for themselves.

Her purpose lies in giving voice to the voiceless, whether that’s in her community or within her circle of friends.

This leadership is deeply empathetic—she listens, understands, and then uses her influence to bring attention to issues that others might overlook.

Her purpose in leading isn’t just to make her voice heard but to amplify the voices of others.

Discovering Leadership through Purpose

Another lady in the group spoke of her ongoing journey to discover her purpose.

She’s not sure yet what form her leadership will take, but she knows that it will be rooted in what she’s passionate about and what she’s good at.

For her, leadership is an evolving journey, one that changes as she learns more about herself and her purpose.

This highlights the truth that leadership isn’t always immediate—it’s something that grows within us as we become more attuned to what drives us.

Teaching and Training: Leading through Knowledge

For one lady, leadership means teaching and training.

She shared how her purpose is to equip children and teaching staff with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed.

Whatever the setting, her leadership comes from a place of generosity and nurturing. S

he leads by sharing what she knows, empowering others to take what they’ve learned and grow into leaders themselves.

The Power of Purpose in Leadership

As the conversation flowed, the theme became clear: leadership is tied to a sense of purpose.

This purpose not only determines who we lead, but also how and why we lead.

When we lead from a place of purpose, we’re not just managing tasks or people—we’re making an impact, motivated by something bigger than ourselves.

Purpose-driven leadership gives us clarity. It answers questions like, Why am I stepping into this role? What do I hope to achieve? It gives us the courage to take action even when the path isn’t clear, because we know our actions are aligned with something meaningful.

And, perhaps most importantly, it shapes how we interact with others as leaders, ensuring that our leadership is grounded in empathy, vision, and authenticity.

Discovering Your Leadership Purpose

Leadership looks different for everyone. Some lead by directing teams; others lead by listening and supporting those who need it most. Leadership can be about stepping up to fill gaps or sharing knowledge to nurture others. Whatever form it takes, it always starts with purpose.

Call To Action

So, we invite you to reflect: What is your purpose? How can you lead others by embracing your unique strengths and passions?

Whether you’re leading at work, in your family, or within your community, let your purpose guide you.

When we lead with purpose, we don’t just create change—we create meaningful, lasting impact.

#PurposeDrivenLeadership

#LeadWithPurpose

#WomenInLeadership

#LeadershipJourney

#EmpoweredLeadership

#AuthenticLeadership

Beatrice Thuku

Terry Mweleme

Kengaaju Laura Alinda

Olive Moko

muthoni itotia

Maureen Njoga

Chelsea Kamau

Anitha Ndekezi

Valerie Muthoka

The Ladies Book Breakfast Forum