What’s Your Purpose?
Conscious leaders prioritize purpose
One of the most important things a conscious leader can provide for their team is purpose. Purpose is more than just turning a profit or increasing numbers on a spreadsheet every year. It’s about knowing your work and passion align. And knowing that what you’re doing is making a difference in the world.
It’s the reason many people reach a certain point in their career and suddenly “want something more.” So they go to work for a nonprofit or leave a lucrative career to follow a passion. Their motivation is no longer monetary; it’s the satisfaction of doing something they love and seeing others delight in or benefit from that work.
The Washington Post recently profiled a 95-year-old woman who shared her secret to longevity and happiness: a purposeful life. There aren’t many people her age who travel the world saving lives, but that’s exactly what Olga Murray does. Murray founded a nonprofit to help educate poor Nepalese children and save them from a life of slavery.
It gives her so much joy and drive, she’s eagerly planning her next trip to the country as soon as she can safely do so. She sees it as her legacy and she’s already witnessed remarkable tales of children saved from slavery becoming lawyers to advocate for their peers.
According to the Post, “Scientists increasingly are finding …. [living with purpose], finding meaning in life or just engaging with something larger than yourself — can be a particularly healthy pursuit.”
Finding purpose is important for all of us, not just the elderly seeking longevity. It’s one of the common elements I find when coaching dissatisfied employees. They simply want to know that they and their work matters. That’s why it’s so critical for conscious leaders to set a powerful purpose for their team and make it a constant reminder for motivation.
As we all work to become conscious leaders, we can reflect on this vital concept:
What is my purpose? How am I reminding myself of this purpose?
What is the purpose of my organization? How is that conveyed to my team? How do they embrace and live it?
By regularly contemplating purpose, we can ensure we stay on track with our overarching desires in life. Purpose isn’t selling computers, it’s about sparking creativity and innovation. Purpose isn’t selling groceries, it’s about providing sustainable, healthy food for our community. Purpose isn’t selling a political idea, it’s about creating a society that ensures all citizens can thrive. Focus on purpose on a higher level, and you’ll be amazed by the results—into your 90s and beyond!
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
The way we work and build teams is rapidly changing. Leaders often feel unprepared to navigate the transition. As a conscious leadership coach, consultant and communicator, Meredith helps leaders and their teams create new ways of working and relating so they can prepare for the future by consciously co-creating it.
Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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