Purpose Driven Leadership

Last week, I shared my personal story of how I came to finding purpose and why it is important.

As someone who has had my fair share of challenges in leadership, I've noticed that many leaders tend to overlook the critical importance of having a defined purpose. And to me…THAT IS A BIG MISTAKE!

Here’s the deal: Leadership is HARD!

You’ve got to:

1. Make tough decisions (and often without enough information)
2. Maintain authority yet balance it with being approachable
3. Manage a variety of people and personalities
4. Develop and empower members of your team
5. Navigate change and usher your teams through change
6. Deal with uncertainty and intense pressure
7. Manage time and competing priorities
8. Handle criticism (trust me, it comes from every angle) while maintaining confidence
9. Maintain your own sanity and well-being

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Far too often, we leaders can get caught up in the daily hustle, fighting fires, chasing metrics and deadlines, yet forgetting to ask themselves what truly drives us and the “why” of being a leader. Without the “why”, talented leaders can start to doubt themselves, get burned out, and have nothing to pull them through the challenges.

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Expecting Employees to Follow Without Clear Direction

I recently came across this powerful statistic: 89%of leaders believe that having a strong collective purpose significantly boosts employee satisfaction. Yet, how many of us actually pause to reflect on our own purpose? Asking our teams to follow without offering clear direction is like trying to steer a ship without a compass. We might assume that, because we’re at the helm, our team instinctively understands where we’re headed—but that’s often not the case.

In my experience, when leaders lack purpose, it shows. Employees sense this absence of direction, which can dampen their motivation and productivity. If we as leaders don’t know where we’re going, how can we expect our teams to follow with confidence? Without a defined purpose, our guidance risks coming across as scattered and unconvincing, making us less effective, less inspiring, and less strategic.

Our purpose is our compass; without it, we’re adrift. Without clear direction, people are left to fill in the blanks on their own, often resulting in confusion and frustration. Consider this: would you feel motivated to follow someone who seems unsure of their destination? Probably not.

Our teams crave clarity and purpose as much as we do. When we communicate a compelling vision, we empower our people to align their efforts with our goals. This shared purpose transforms hesitant steps into a confident stride, making challenges easier to face and successes far more meaningful.

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A Lack of Purpose Makes Leaders Less Strategic

When I first stepped into a leadership role, I was all about action plans and KPIs. But I quickly realized that without a strong sense of purpose, my “strategic” efforts were…well…NOT STRATEGIC!

Purpose isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a crucial element in making sound, strategic decisions. When you don’t have a clear purpose, you’re more likely to react to situations rather than anticipate them. It’s like playing chess without knowing what your endgame is—you make moves, just to make moves, then next thing you know… You’ve lost your queen, and then, checkmate! ☹

I remember when I inherited a dysfunctional team who wasn’t prepared for the new journey of innovation. I was given the tall task of growing innovation margins, yet the current business activities didn’t stop. I knew I needed to keep all the plates spinning, while trying to grow my team, establish structure and new ways of working, and keep the team motivated and engaged.

Without a defined purpose, my response was to throw every resource at the problem, hoping something would stick. The result? Burnout and mediocre outcomes. Once I took the time to align our strategy with a clear purpose, we were able to focus our efforts on what truly mattered. We moved from a reactive stance to a proactive one, and the difference was spectacular. Together, we quadrupled innovation margins and nearly every person on my team became the ‘hi-pot’ or high-potential.

A well-defined purpose acts as a filter for decision-making, allowing you to prioritize actions that align with your core values and long-term vision. Without it, you’re just spinning your wheels and getting nowhere.

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Tough Decisions Become Harder Without Guidance

When it comes to making tough decisions, having a clear purpose is like having a north star to guide you. Without it, you're sailing through a fog, uncertain and hesitant.

I recall a time when I faced a particularly difficult choice about my career in leadership, choosing whether I should stay or if I should go. Either choice had significant consequences and would decide the fate of my future.  Lacking a defined “why”, I found myself waffling, being weighed down by the potential fallout, and second-guessing every angle. The indecision was paralyzing and led to many sleepless nights. Once I remembered my purpose, I made the decision that was least favorable on paper, but it was the best decision in my heart.

Purpose serves as a vital touchstone during such moments. It provides a framework that helps you weigh options and make choices that align with your core values and long-term vision. Instead of agonizing over every detail, you can ask yourself a simple yet powerful question: Does this decision serve my purpose? If the answer is yes, the path forward becomes clearer.

Once I aligned my decisions with a clear purpose, the fog lifted. Decisions, even the tough ones, became less about gut-wrenching guesswork and more about staying true to what really matters. Purpose transforms the decision-making process from a daunting challenge into a more manageable, even empowering, task.

3 Steps to Achieving Your Purpose

Don’t know how to find your purpose? I got you! Here are 3 things to consider:

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1.     Understand Who You Are

Achieving a strong sense of purpose starts with understanding who you are as a leader. This involves identifying the unique gifts, principles, and style that set you apart.

Your gifts—those innate strengths and talents—are what you bring to the table that makes you an impactful leader. These strengths are foundational to your leadership; they’re the abilities that make you unique, adaptable, and invaluable to your team. Recognizing and honing these gifts allows you to lead from a place of authenticity and confidence. Want a free worksheet for this? Email me here.

Equally important are your principles, the core values that drive and motivate you. Your principles are the ethical backbone of your leadership, influencing every decision you make and the way you relate toothers. Whether it’s a commitment to integrity, a drive for innovation, or a focus on empowering others, knowing what motivates you helps clarify why you lead and what kind of leader you aspire to be. Want a free worksheet for this? Email me here.

Lastly, understanding your leadership style and brand personality shapes how you interact with your team. Are you a visionary, setting ambitious goals and inspiring others to follow? Or perhaps a coaching leader, focused on individual growth and team cohesion? Recognizing your style helps you communicate effectively, connect authentically, and build a leadership presence that aligns with your values. Want a free worksheet for this? Email me here.

Together, these elements provide a solid foundation, helping you lead with intention and purpose.

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2.     Define Your Vision and Identify Resources

The next step in achieving purpose is defining a clear vision—your personal “north star” that guides all decisions, actions, and goals. This vision encompasses not just your career, but your overall life and the leader you aspire to become. A strong vision provides direction and meaning to your efforts, helping you make decisions aligned with the future you wish to create.

Imagine what a fulfilling and successful life and career look like a decade from now. What are you accomplishing? How are you impacting others? Visualizing this ideal future helps you set meaningful goals and maintain focus on what truly matters.

Once you’ve crafted this long-term vision, identify the skills, tools, and processes essential for reaching these goals. Consider which abilities will help you succeed, whether it’s refining your communication style, mastering a new technology, or implementing effective time management practices. This inventory of resources becomes your foundation, equipping you with the tools necessary to bring your vision to life.

Just as important is the support of mentors who can help guide you. Seek mentors with expertise aligned with your vision and who exemplify the qualities you wish to develop. Some may offer skill-specific guidance, while others can provide strategic advice and balance insights.

Defining both your vision and the resources you’ll need ensures a strong start on your journey. With clarity about where you’re going and what you need to get there, you’re ready to take meaningful, focused steps toward a future that aligns with your purpose.

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3.     Create the Roadmap

With a vision and the necessary resources outlined, the next step is to break down your big-picture goals into manageable milestones. Begin by setting annual milestones aligned with your long-term vision. These annual goals represent key achievements on your journey and keep you focused on steady progress. From there, translate these yearly goals into monthly and weekly steps that build on each other over time.

Each milestone should include specific actions required to develop the skills, master the tools, or adopt the processes you’ve identified. For instance, if you aim to develop a certain skill, break it down into monthly learning objectives, weekly practice sessions, or relevant projects. This detailed approach turns abstract goals into actionable steps, creating a clear roadmap toward your vision.

By establishing these smaller, structured milestones, you build momentum and ensure that each step contributes directly to your long-term purpose. You’ll also gain opportunities to evaluate and adjust your approach, making sure that your daily and weekly efforts stay aligned with your vision.

This layered structure keeps you organized and motivated, transforming your goals from an ambitious idea into a tangible, achievable reality.

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Final Words

Achieving purpose as a leader begins with self-discovery and a clear vision. By identifying the resources, mentors, and milestones that support your journey, you create a practical path forward. Purpose-driven leadership isn’t about quick wins; it’s about aligning your actions with a meaningful future that inspires both you and your team. Take each step with intention, execute on your milestones, and watch as your vision transforms into reality.

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Written by Nicki Vo, November 13, 2024