On Purpose . . .

On April 23, 1910, Theodore Roosevelt gave what would become one of the most famous speeches of his career. The former president (he left office in 1909) was in Paris where, at 3pm at the Sorbonne, before a crowd including (according to Edmund Morris’s biography of Roosevelt) Ministers, Military Officers, 900 students, and two thousand ticket holders, Roosevelt delivered a speech which would come to be known as “The Man in the Arena.”

As well as referencing his own history, war, human and property rights, and the responsibilities of citizenship, Roosevelt criticised those cynics who looked down at those who were trying to make the world a better place. Then he delivered an inspirational and impassioned message that drew huge applause, and which is one of my all-time favourites:

"It is not the critic who counts; nor those who point out how the strong stumble, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to those who are actually in the arena, those whose faces are marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strive valiantly; who err, who come short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but those who actually strive to do the deeds; who know great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spend themselves in worthy causes; who at the very best know in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if they fail, at least fail while daring greatly, so that their place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

The speech was a wild success. Amongst other successes, this rhetorical triumph was sent to the teachers of France by Le Temps, was printed by Libraire Hachette on Japanese vellum, was turned into a pocketbook that sold 5000 copies in five days and was translated across Europe.

It has been quoted by many leaders, coaches, and commanders alike. Shortly before the 1995 Rugby World Cup, #NelsonMandela gave a copy of the passage to Springboks Captain Francois Pienaar; it may not be a coincidence that South Africa won that World Cup, beating the All Blacks in the final. It is no surprise to me that this most famous section of Roosevelt’s speech still resonates with and inspires many people today.

I refer to it here as I reflect on 2022; a year which has been challenging in many ways. It is a year that has seen man-made disasters, #naturaldisasters, #extremeweather events, #warfighting, and #conflict, all of which have had (and continue to have) devastating consequences for millions of people.

It seems we live in a world where incidents of this nature could become more frequent: as I write this, the USA and Canada have been experiencing freezing conditions from a deadly winter storm; Serbia has placed troops on 'high alert' amid rising tensions with Kosovo; Pakistan still reels from devastating #floods, and the war in #Ukraine continues to rage, as #Russia attacks #Kyiv on #newyearseve.

However, whilst desperately tragic, these situations often bring out the best in human beings, as people rally together to provide food, warmth, shelter and other forms of #kindness and support.

It is at times like this, when our backs are against the wall, that we most need to hear the words of Roosevelt, and others like him, to remind us of the collective power, strength, and spirit of human beings which, in my experience, is our greatest superpower.

Eventually, when the dust settles, as it almost always does, the time will come to evaluate and analyse the devastating #impact of these extreme events, both on people and #infrastructure, and to start thinking about how to recover and #rebuild.

This is no easy task and requires teams of individuals who are committed to the task and in my opinion, the most critical ingredient of this process is purpose. In any endeavour, teams ultimately exist to achieve tasks and to that end, team members must be united by a shared purpose.

It may sound daft, but whatever the new year brings for you in your professional or personal lives I encourage you to think deliberately about this important concept – not the generic or nebulous stuff, but clearly defined, focused, action-centred purpose. Not the what you do, but how you do it: how and why you do what you do - the strengths and passions you bring to the table, no matter where you’re seated.

Talking more specifically in a professional context, I think it is important because a clear sense of purpose provides increased optimism, resilience, and hope which, in a world that feels more volatile and uncertain than ever, are crucial. In fact purpose is increasingly touted as the key to navigating this complex, volatile, uncertain world we face today, where strategy is ever changing.

With regards to Ukraine, there is no question that rebuilding the country will be a generational undertaking and is a task that will highlight the many #complex challenges that projects of this magnitude encounter, and where #uncertainty will be the defining characteristic. For this reason alone, ensuring that those involved in this important work have a shared purpose is vital.

Notwithstanding this, whether your work is inherently #vuca (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) or not is largely irrelevant; if we are to achieve our desired #objectives and make an #impact then having a sense of #purpose as an individual, and a shared purpose as a #team, is something I believe we should all strive for.

Once the purpose of the mission is defined and communicated we feel motivated and driven and, more importantly, when things become challenging, or perhaps increasingly VUCA, we can remind ourselves of the purpose for our being where we are, and the #vision of the future we aspire to deliver. This is the anchor that allows us to refocus, recalibrate, prioritise actions, and ‘go again’.

What is most important to remember is that purpose is deduced from behaviour and action, not from rhetoric or stated goals – and it is here, in behaviour and action, that the power of purpose is found.

As #2023 closes in I will continue to #reflect on this year, evaluating and assessing my accomplishments and failures against what I hoped to achieve.

I will reflect on the things I am grateful for: health; family and friends; the talented colleagues I work with and learn from on a daily basis; and the interesting and important #projects I work on, which I believe will improve people’s lives.

Some people will pursue this purpose-to-impact journey more easily due to a natural tendency toward #reflection. Others will find the experience uncomfortable and anxiety-provoking (like me). And some of you will just roll your eyes – which is fine too.

As the new year closes in, I shall leave you with this thought from E.E. Cummings as I wish you nothing but the best for a healthy, purpose-driven, and prosperous 2023:

To be nobody but yourself in a world which is doing its best, night and day, to make you everybody else, means to fight the hardest battle which any human being can fight; and never stop fighting.

#purpose #driven #focus #build #develop #vision #future #projects #deliver #impact