What are the Core Values that guide your leadership approach?
What drives your leadership approach? How do the values and purpose that guide your decisions, presentation, and team leadership shape your daily actions?
Purpose-driven leaders distinguish themselves from the rest. They intentionally craft their purpose, continually refine it as they grow, and live by it in their everyday interactions. Unfortunately, many leaders haven’t taken the time to reflect on their own purpose, leaving them without a clear direction or guiding principles.
This week’s Fit to Lead focuses on the value of having a purpose as a leader, the common challenges that keep leaders from defining one, and practical steps to create a purpose that reflects your core values and evolves with you over time.
Why This Matters
Leading without a clear purpose can leave you adrift, like a boat departing from a port without knowing its destination. Without a guiding purpose, leaders may struggle with decision-making, present themselves inconsistently, and prioritize the wrong tasks.
Leaders who take the time to define their purpose know who they want to be, how they want to lead, and what values they stand for. They are intentional in their actions, setting an example for their team and inspiring others to follow.
Why having a Purpose matters:
Clarity in Decision-Making: Knowing your purpose acts as a compass, helping you make choices that align with your values.
Consistent Leadership: Purpose-driven leaders are predictable in their approach, creating a sense of stability for their team.
Stronger Personal Brand: A clear purpose shapes how you are perceived as a leader.
Increased Motivation: Purpose connects you to the bigger picture, keeping you energized even when challenges arise.
Authentic Relationships: People are drawn to leaders who act with integrity and a sense of mission.
Common Challenges
Many leaders either don’t see the value of creating a purpose or don’t make time for it, thinking it’s unnecessary or too abstract. Others have never seen a purpose-driven leader in action, so they don’t know where to begin. This mindset keeps them stuck in a reactive mode, following trends instead of leading with intention.
A significant challenge is that some leaders fail to identify core values that resonate with them personally. Without a strong value foundation, purpose lacks depth and authenticity.
Leaders may also hesitate to share their purpose publicly, fearing they will be judged or held to an unrealistic standard. However, sharing your purpose helps build accountability and sets an example for your team to follow.
Try This Instead
Recognize the Value: Understand that having a purpose is foundational to leadership. It provides clarity, consistency, and authenticity, allowing you to lead with intention.
Identify Core Values: Take time to reflect on the 2-4 values that truly matter to you. These will be the pillars of your purpose.
Create Your Purpose: Write a concise statement that reflects who you want to be as a leader. Share it with a few trusted colleagues for feedback.
Make It Public: Sharing your purpose increases accountability and strengthens your personal brand.
Revisit Regularly: As you grow, your purpose may evolve. Set aside time periodically to reflect and adjust.
Leading with purpose isn’t just a concept — it’s a practice that separates those who merely manage from those who truly inspire. Leaders who live by their purpose are Fit to Lead.