Why Leaders Need Purpose And Where Can They Find It
Marut Bhardwaj
Leadership Architect and Facilitator for Transformational Programs meant for Bold Thinkers and Change Makers
Leaders are the custodians of any organization's purpose. They utilise purpose for taking the organization and its employees to a seemingly far-off ideal and turning it into reality, as well as for making sure that their employees, management, executives, and peers all thrive on the way. And it’s evident why. Purpose has been proven to not only facilitate peak performance but also to make people healthier . That is why, in the last few years, leadership development initiatives have put more and more emphasis on the importance of purpose. An ever-growing number of CEOs tell me that purpose is the key to expanding and intensifying their presence in both career and personal life.
It’s becoming more and more common to see purpose as the key to navigating today's complex, chaotic, and ambiguous environment.
However, the organization’s purpose is different from a leader’s purpose. I often see a tendency to conflate one’s purpose with the organization’s where the organization’s purpose is predetermined and well defined. Another common response when people are asked to describe their own purpose is to piece together some generic moral aspirations – “help others live a better life”, or “bring a change in the world”. The result of this is that most people’s ambitions remain stifled, and they frequently fall short of their achievable potential.
Articulating your purpose and having the courage to live it is probably the most crucial activity you can tackle as a leader. Yet, there's still a lot of white space to cover, despite the progress that’s been made. The Gordian knot of purpose is not so easy to unravel.
Defining Purpose
Every person has a purpose. It doesn't matter if that purpose is to make connections, make money or make a difference. One thing is certain, however - to be a purpose-driven leader, understanding who you are and how you stand out are essential pre-requisites.
Purpose is the torch of your leadership brand, your drive and your magic.?Not what you do, but how and why you do it—the abilities and values you bring to the workplace regardless of your position—are what really count when it comes to defining purpose.
Since your identity is the essence of who you are, it is the source of your leadership purpose. But caution: your identity is not a resume of all the degrees, certificates, and certifications you've earned. It's also not a work title defined by your present role or employer. Neither does it have to be something as lofty as raising the community and alleviating poverty. What's important is that your purpose resonates with you before it does with anyone else.
Simply put, your purpose might not make you seem benevolent or charming but it's who you're meant to be.
What's the Best Way to Find Purpose?
Discovering your true calling as a leader is no small task.
If this were the case, everyone would know exactly why they were put on this earth and would be able to live their lives to the fullest. But unfortunately, or not, there is always a constant barrage of messages flowing in about what we should be, how we should lead and whom we should take our inspiration from. In such an information and opinion-driven world, figuring out who you are, let alone being uniquely yourself can be a challenge. However, my experience has shown that once you have a firm grasp on who you are, the rest automatically clicks into place.
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On the journey of finding their purpose, some people have a predisposition toward self-reflection while others are alarmed and intimidated by the prospect. Regardless, leaders of all stripes have found personal and professional value in the undertaking. For both dreamers and cynics, the key is a method that allows for self-expression while also providing stepwise real-world pointers:
The running thread
The first step is to look for similar threads and overarching patterns in your personal history. Here, the goal is to discover what you are naturally good at and what you are passionate about—the hobbies, per say, that make you feel alive and happy.
Ask yourself these questions -
· Before the world informed you what you should or shouldn't like or do as a child, what did you enjoy doing the most? Tell us about a time you enjoyed most in your life and how it affected you.
·?Tell us about two of the most challenging times in your life thus far. What kind of person are you because of them?
·?What are some of your favourite activities right now that allow you to bring outward personality back in tune with your inner self?
Find the right people
It's very hard for to establish leadership purpose on your own, all alone. Discovering your true self with the help of a few trustworthy individuals who can serve as your personal mirrors, and enable you to ask the right questions and note the right things about yourself, will help you get there faster.
Write down your Purpose Statement
Reflect on everything you've learned about yourself and come up with a one-line purpose statement. Use your own personal language – make it as sentimental or light-hearted or as incoherent (as long as it makes sense to you) as you like. It is imperative that your purpose capture the essence of you and motivate you to take action.
It's important to keep in mind that your goals may evolve as time passes. Our interests, perspectives, and priorities are likely to change as we acquire more experiences and face more hurdles. It won’t be surprising if, after a while, your purpose becomes more contingent on your personal, professional or leadership goals, or becomes a combination of all three.
What’s most important, however, is that leaders ensure that they have a strong sense of purpose and that they are able to communicate that purpose to others.
Deputy Director at Department of Public Enterprises
2 年Innovative line of thinking on traits of successful leader
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2 年Thanks for sharing Marut!
Global Executive Leader | Strategic CEO | Board Member | Champion of Sustainable Growth & CSR | Business Development & International Expansion Pioneer | Expert in Leading Diverse, Multicultural Teams
2 年Great insights
Business, Education & Strategy Coaching and Consulting - Challenging, Motivating & Helping Technology Businesses, & Not-For-Profit Organizations to Bring About Profitable & Sustainable Changes!
2 年Defining your purpose, creating a plan, and reviewing on a regular basis are all keys to your level of satisfaction and productivity as you so eloquently point out in the article!
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2 年Great article Marut!