Three keys, a quote and an invitation
One
Purpose is top of mind these days for me. Partly in relation to a keynote I’ve been preparing on AI and intuition. Partly in relation to a reported lack of sense of drive and energy among professionals in Europe.
Having a strong sense of purpose is important in both cases.
Why is that?
Two
It gives direction for leader and their teams navigating uncertainty.
It is key to “exceptional leadership and the pathway to greater well-being”.
Too few leaders have a strong sense of their own individual purpose, according to research.
Even fewer can distill their purpose into a concrete statement or a plan for how to translate purpose into action.
Purpose can change over time. We are not stagnant (unless we’ve turned to stone). Neither is life around us.
Three
Without a strong purpose, leaders limit their aspirations and often fail to achieve their most ambitious professional and personal goals. A strong sense of purpose is also important for teams and organisations, it’s what distinguishes successful teams from unsuccessful one’s in today’s world, according to a recent Harvard Business Review article I’ve cited before here: 5 ways organisations can pivot with purpose.
We often need courage to show sincerity in expressing our sense of purpose, our calling.
Cynicism bullies purpose into a corner. And contrary to what many think (often unconsciously), cynicism is not a sign of intelligence. It undermines intelligence.
Our ability to find and act on our sense of purpose, to lead with clarity and vision, to have the courage to be sincere in our drive as leaders, and to engage others with us in effective ways, all find their source in a well honed intuition.
A quote:
“Connection to your Future Self creates purpose and meaning in the present”
― Benjamin Hardy
An invitation
Wisdom is asking the right questions. Clarity comes with presence and heightened awareness about how and to what we pay attention to.
My invitation this week is for you to:
| Answer the following questions. Give yourself some time and space and write your answers in your journal: What would be an example of something you would do differently if you were 100% aligned with your inner compass? What does that teach you about your sense of purpose? |
Thank you for reading, as always, I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions. If you are enjoying reading this, are curious to find out more and think others might be, please do share!
With love & respect,
