May Principle: Purpose

Monthly Principle & Leading Practice:  Purpose

Definition:  the quality around which you shape your life; a source of energy and direction; your reason for being or why you get up in the morning

Overview:

Richard Leider, author of the Power of Purpose, says, “Purpose answers the question: what am I trying to do with my life?”  It is clearly something beyond your job and encompasses thoughts and ideas broader than any self-serving interests and desires.  Leider says “it’s the cradle-to-grave, round-the-clock unifying principle that you organize your life around.”  Your purpose is influenced very directly by the values and beliefs that you hold dearest.  It’s deeply rooted in you, but evolves in its articulation over time.  One of your most important tasks as a leader is to uncover what lies inside. 

And purpose is not simply a goal, because goals are milestones to be achieved in the near-term.  A purpose is much larger and represents the direction or underpinning for a meaningful life.  Being an “on purpose” leader is a very powerful asset in any organizational setting.  One of Leider’s most influential statements about purposeful people is that they are “doing the work they love, with people they care about, in a place where they belong.”

The following chart might be helpful in understanding the various stages or manifestations of how your life might evolve.  The vertical axis represents “fulfillment” with more of this condition from bottom to top, while the horizontal axis represents “success” with more moving from left to right.  So, a good career might bring a higher level of success, but less fulfillment than a purposeful life

Essence is another word that reflects on purpose.  What is at the essence of your being or the fundamental nature of who you are?  Rick Warren’s extremely popular book, The Purpose Driven Life, brings focus to God’s eternal purposes with his very first line; “It’s not about you.”  Integrating an earthly purpose and an eternal purpose is can be very powerful in creating that meaningful life.

To uncover your purpose, begin by examining your history, your gifts, your strengths, passions, callings, and ultimately, identifying your legacy.  One of the best questions to ask yourself that points toward your purpose is, what do you lose yourself in?  What is it that you are obsessing about? 

Once you’ve done much of this thinking, write-out your sense of purpose in a short statement.  The revered management consultant, Peter Drucker, recommended that it be short, about five words, and certainly no more than can easily fit on a tee-shirt.  The Harvard professor, Howard Gardner says there are three questions people can ask as they are seeking purpose through good work.  Does it fit your values?  Does it evoke excellence?  And does it bring you that subjective barometer of engagement – joy? 


Sample Practices: 

The following sample practices have been offered from a wide variety of leaders from around the world.  What practices, actions or applications have you found effective in advancing the leadership principle of “purpose?” 

• Know yourself, particularly your values and beliefs
• Focus on your strengths, gifts, talents
• Follow your passions
• Understand your anthropology – your history
• Assess your dreams
• Understand your calling
• Leave a legacy
• Move from success to significance
• Get an annual “purpose check-up”  (on your birthday)
• Help other people grow
• Develop an eternal perspective
• Live an undivided life
• Ask yourself what makes you come alive
• Step-out – take reasonable risks
• Seek meaning
• Strive to liberate the heart