There are large and small stumbling blocks on your path to leading a fast and growing company. Those things that keep you up at night are often immediately tangible in terms of balance sheets, ROI, and competitive performance.
Beyond the measurable statistics, there is a key ingredient you may be overlooking to:
That key ingredient? Purpose. To accomplish those qualities, you must define your purpose with care. Great companies that get everything done faster have a purpose built around doing well by doing good.
A purpose must be crafted carefully. Consider these 6 components to define your purpose:
To investigate point 6 a bit deeper, realize that purpose is built upon needs; it’s a human condition. Look to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
First people need food, clothing, and shelter. Once those needs are met, people want to belong to something bigger than themselves. Your purpose can help meet that need – it can become a purpose of their own. After finding that purpose, people want to feel great about what the do and live with self-esteem. Finally, people want to achieve all they can and fulfill their talents and potential. How does your purpose create an affinity with the purpose of your employees?
Your Purpose is not your Mission Statement. It should be more personal and passionate. To define your purpose:
In closing, to find your company’s authentic purpose, consider your non-negotiable core values and what kind of legacy you want to leave behind. Ask yourself if your answers transcend revenue. Will your purpose resonate throughout the organization? Are there emotions behind your statement? When you start feeling it and not thinking about it, that’s when you’re truly tapping into your purpose.
Source: Jason Jennings, Authority on Leadership, Growth, and Innovation, presented during SIA 2018’s Keynote, “The Need for Speed – How to Get Everything Done Faster.”
