When Love, Strengths, and Purpose Come Together

The Singapore FinTech Festival this year left me both inspired and energized. Among the many voices I heard, two figures really stood out: Piyush Gupta, CEO of DBS, and Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. Listening to their stories and witnessing their passion reminded me of the powerful connection between purpose, strengths, and love for one’s work. Both Gupta and Queen Máxima shared insights that felt less like “professional advice” and more like life lessons on how to lead, create impact, and make work a true calling.

Here are some reflections and learnings from their speeches, and how their stories resonate with CliftonStrengths themes — or at least what I suspect their themes might be.

Piyush Gupta: A Visionary Banker Who Leads with Purpose

Hearing Piyush Gupta talk about his journey with DBS was like peeling back the layers of what’s possible when you bring love, purpose, and a strong sense of strategy into leadership. Over his tenure, Gupta has transformed DBS from a traditional bank into one of the world’s leading digital financial institutions. But what stood out to me was that this wasn’t just a “digital journey” for him; it was about creating a legacy, leaving something that would truly matter.

If I were to hypothesize his CliftonStrengths, Strategic would be at the top. Gupta has a natural ability to look at the banking landscape and anticipate what’s coming. He didn’t wait for digitalization to become a trend; he led DBS to embrace it early, setting the bank on a path that many others are still trying to catch up to. It’s this long-term, visionary thinking that has helped DBS become a digital powerhouse.

Strategic: People exceptionally talented in the Strategic theme create alternative ways to proceed. Faced with any given scenario, they can quickly spot the relevant patterns and issues.

But beyond strategy, I see a strong element of Significance in him. When Gupta was first appointed, he due-diligenced DBS’s board if they just wanted a CEO to “rubber-stamp and push papers” (ok, he didn't actually say that, it's me reading in between the lines) or if they were really looking for someone to make an impact. This question wasn’t just about authority; it was a declaration of his desire to do meaningful work. He wasn’t interested in simply managing the bank; he wanted to transform it. And he’s done just that, turning DBS into a global example of digital innovation.

Gupta’s Significance also comes through in his approach to culture. “When you get the culture right, you get an organisation where a thousand flowers can bloom,” he said. This speaks to his focus on creating an environment where people can take risks, innovate, and really thrive. He’s cultivated a spirit of entrepreneurship within DBS, where employees are encouraged to bring their ideas to life. This isn’t just about making DBS better; it’s about creating a space where people feel they can make a difference. This might yet be his lasting legacy.

Significance: People exceptionally talented in the Significance theme want to make a big impact. They are independent and prioritize projects based on how much influence they will have on their organization or people around them.

There’s also something of the Activator in him. Gupta doesn’t wait for things to happen; he pushes for action. He was quick to encourage DBS to adopt digital tools, embrace AI, and pivot with changing technologies. His leadership style seems to be about pushing forward, creating momentum, and making things happen.

Activator: People exceptionally talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient to get things done.

And finally, I sense that Belief underpins his work. His drive isn’t just about success or reputation; it’s grounded in a mission to make banking accessible and meaningful. He doesn’t view banking as just a business; for him, it’s a way to improve lives, to make finance simpler and more effective for everyone. His purpose shines through in everything he does, and it’s this combination of passion, strategy, and commitment that has truly transformed DBS.

Belief: People exceptionally talented in the Belief theme have certain core values that are unchanging. Out of these values emerges a defined purpose for their lives.

Queen Máxima: Bringing Empathy and Connection to Financial Health

Queen Máxima’s speech was equally moving. Her advocacy for financial inclusion has evolved into a broader commitment to “financial health.” What’s so impressive about her is that this work isn’t just professional for her; it’s personal. Growing up in Argentina, she saw the impacts of financial insecurity firsthand, and it’s driven her to champion a fairer financial system worldwide.

If I were to imagine her strengths, Connectedness would be high on the list. Queen Máxima has a remarkable way of seeing the big picture, understanding that financial health isn’t just about access to banking; it’s about how financial stability affects entire communities. She connects the dots between finance, mental health, family well-being, and societal stability. Her work is about creating meaningful connections that extend far beyond just banking access.

Connectedness: People exceptionally talented in the Connectedness theme have faith in the links among all things. They believe there are few coincidences and that almost every event has meaning.

Her Empathy is also unmistakable. Queen Máxima doesn’t just advocate for financial inclusion from an abstract place. She’s seen and felt the effects of financial exclusion, and that empathy drives her to create real, sustainable change. She speaks with compassion about how financial stress impacts mental health and family life, which shows she genuinely cares about the people her work impacts. It’s not about numbers for her; it’s about people.

Empathy: People exceptionally talented in the Empathy theme can sense other people’s feelings by imagining themselves in others’ lives or situations.

Another strength that might resonate with her is Relator. She has successfully built a network of partnerships across governments, foundations, and organizations, bringing everyone together for a shared mission. Her ability to connect and collaborate with others has amplified her impact, allowing her to champion financial health as a priority across sectors and countries.

Relator: People exceptionally talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

And, like Gupta, I sense a strong Belief in her work. Queen Máxima’s advocacy isn’t just a role she fills; it’s a calling. She is deeply committed to creating a system where people can achieve real financial security and independence. Her passion for this cause and her clear sense of purpose underscore everything she does, adding weight and credibility to her advocacy.

Love and Work: The Validation of Passion and Purpose

Reflecting on their stories, I kept coming back to how true success and impact happen when we do work that aligns with our values, passions, and strengths. For both Piyush Gupta and Queen Máxima, their work is far more than a job; it’s a mission, a calling that propels them to create real change. They show us that when we bring love into our work, we find a kind of validation that extends beyond metrics or milestones.

Takeaways for the Rest of Us

Their stories remind us that there’s something powerful in aligning our work with who we are and what we care about. Here’s what I took away from their journeys:

1. Align Purpose with Action: Both Gupta and Queen Máxima remind us that true success comes from an internal drive, from doing work that feels right. When our work reflects our values, it becomes easier to navigate challenges, innovate, and inspire others.
2. Lead with Strengths: Watching their possible strengths in action — Gupta’s Strategic and Significance, Queen Máxima’s Empathy and Connectedness — it’s clear that strengths aren’t just “traits.” They’re tools that can be leveraged to create real impact. When we embrace our natural talents, we bring our best to the table.
3. Infuse Love into What You Do: Love for our work isn’t just motivation; it’s validation. When we love what we do, we naturally perform at a higher level. Gupta and Queen Máxima show us that love for a mission or a cause can fuel excellence.
4. Stay Open to Growth: Both leaders also show us the importance of learning from experience. Gupta’s openness about what he might do differently and Queen Máxima’s shift from financial inclusion to financial health demonstrate the value of staying adaptable, willing to evolve as needed.

Final Thoughts

The Singapore FinTech Festival reminded me that the most impactful leaders are the ones who bring love, purpose, and strengths into their work. For Gupta, Queen Máxima, and others like them, success isn’t just about career milestones; it’s about doing work that aligns with their hearts and their mission. Their journeys teach us that excellence comes from being true to ourselves, from using our strengths to make a difference, and from loving what we do.

For anyone searching for more meaning or fulfillment in their career, the answer might lie in aligning what you love with your strengths and values. As Gupta and Queen Máxima have shown, when love, purpose, and strengths come together, the impact is lasting — and the journey, more fulfilling.

Curious to see where your natural talents might lead you? Take the free Talent Reveal Quiz now!

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