What Does Leading with Purpose Mean?
As leaders, one of the most crucial aspects of our role is to lead with purpose. But too often, we misunderstand purpose itself. We tend to confuse the ‘how’ with the ‘what’—the means with the end. For instance, many of us focus on what we want to achieve rather than exploring why we are doing it in the first place.
When we ask ourselves, “What am I going to be when I grow up?” the answer is often a job title—a doctor, lawyer, or business owner. But rarely do we ask, “What will bring me happiness, fulfilment, and peace?” Living with purpose is about aligning career and life decisions with our deepest values and making meaningful contributions. It’s about being more than becoming.
As we go through life, we are often defined by external milestones—like career achievements or material possessions—yet we fail to look inward. Purpose is not about an external accomplishment; it’s a state of being. It’s the reason we wake up each morning, pushing through limits, going the extra mile, and measuring success by the impact we make on others.
Why is Purpose So Important for Leadership?
Purpose is the foundation of every great leader. It drives actions, fuels decisions, and acts as the guiding light in turbulent times. As a leadership expert, I often share in my keynotes: “Smart people don’t want to be led; they just want to be inspired.” Purpose gives people a reason to contribute and feel connected to something bigger than themselves.
Consider John F. Kennedy’s famous story about the NASA janitor who said, “I’m helping put a man on the moon.” This interaction exemplifies how a shared vision, a greater purpose, turns ordinary tasks into extraordinary contributions.
Purpose offers more than motivation—it drives engagement and enthusiasm. It is what makes employees push through challenges and brings them closer to realizing their full potential.
How Do You Discover Your Purpose?
One of the most profound lessons in leadership came when I realized the Mark Twain quote: “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you figure out why you are here”
Purpose-driven leadership starts with self-awareness. To lead others, you first must lead yourself by reflecting on your true motivations. What makes you tick? What are your core values and how do they align with your vision for the world?
This deep self-reflection and connection to internal values help leaders act authentically, which is a key to inspiring others. This purpose also becomes the basis for building a vision for the organization, as it aligns every decision with the long-term impact you wish to have on others.
What Are the Three Dimensions of Purpose?
To lead with purpose, there are three important dimensions to consider: Love, Talent, and Value. Each dimension brings clarity and focus to your journey as a purpose-driven leader.
- Love – Love is the passion you have for your work. It’s doing what you truly enjoy. Passion drives growth, learning, and improvement. As a leader, if you truly love your work, others will feel your energy and dedication, fuelling their own passion.
- Talent – Talent is what you do best. It’s the unique contribution you bring to the table. Aligning your natural skills with your purpose will help you create a positive impact, and when people see that, they will naturally gravitate towards your leadership.
- Value – Value is the benefit you provide to others. It’s not about your product or service itself, but the impact it has on others. If your work doesn’t add value, it is ultimately unsustainable. Value-driven leaders make a difference by improving lives in meaningful ways.
Reflecting on these dimensions is crucial for understanding what drives you. By finding the intersection of what you love, what you’re skilled at, and how you can add value, you’ll discover a deeper sense of purpose and motivation.
How Can You Connect Your Team to Purpose?
As a leader, your primary responsibility is to connect others to purpose. Once your team is aligned with a shared vision, their work will become more than just a task—it will become a mission. When people find meaning in their work, they feel more fulfilled and motivated to go the extra mile.
Consider the example of Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks. Schultz transformed Starbucks into a global movement by clearly communicating a purpose: creating a third place between home and work for people to connect over a cup of coffee. Employees didn’t just serve coffee—they were part of a bigger mission.
By regularly communicating purpose, leaders inspire individuals to contribute to something greater than themselves. Visionary leaders create a sense of belonging where the team not only understands their roles but feels a deep emotional connection to the mission they’re helping to achieve.
What Does Leading with Purpose Mean for Your Leadership Development?
For leaders, living with purpose means actively seeking alignment between personal values and organizational goals. It’s about doing the right thing because it reflects your authentic self, not because it’s the expedient option.
In my work with top leaders, I often ask these critical questions:
- How am I making a difference in the world?
- How can I inspire my team to embrace a shared purpose?
- How do I align my actions and decisions with the greater good?
Leaders must reflect and continually ask themselves what kind of impact they want to have on the world, their team, and their organization. Purpose-driven leadership transforms not just organizations, but entire cultures.
Great leadership, as I always emphasize, is not about managing people, but about inspiring them to achieve greatness. Your leadership journey starts with defining your purpose and aligning every action you take toward fulfilling that mission.
How Can You Inspire Your Team Through Purpose?
The most successful leaders don’t just lead; they inspire. They foster an environment where the purpose of the organization becomes a shared vision for everyone involved. When your leadership is based on purpose, it will naturally resonate with others, making them want to contribute to the larger mission.
Inspire your team by asking thought-provoking questions like:
- Why are we doing this?
- How does our work make a difference to the world?
- What legacy do we want to leave behind?
By connecting people’s day-to-day work to a broader vision, you elevate them from mere employees to mission-driven collaborators. Leadership through purpose encourages enthusiasm, accountability, and collaboration that drive results.
Leading with Purpose
In conclusion, leading with purpose is a leadership style that motivates, inspires, and transforms. It’s about having a vision and aligning your decisions with a larger goal. Purpose fuels passion, drives performance, and helps organizations overcome obstacles. As I’ve shared with countless business leaders, when you lead with purpose, you unlock the potential of both yourself and your team.
Remember, purpose is more than just a corporate objective; it’s the force that keeps you and your team striving for greatness. By defining, communicating, and living your purpose, you set the stage for extraordinary results and lasting impact. Leadership begins with purpose—and everything else follows.
