This week I had a conversation with a colleague that helped me uncover a blind spot I had. I have been studying and thinking about what I have been calling “purpose driven leadership”.
The concept is this. When you do the hard internal and personal work of why you are here on the planet you have discovered your purpose. This is much larger than just one area of your life. It encompasses all that you must contribute to the world.
Understanding this allows you to step into different areas of your life and contribute in meaningful ways. It also reframes how you engage. When I think about work, the question for me becomes, how can I make Microsoft work for me? Rather than how do I work for Microsoft? Making Microsoft work for me enables my greatest contribution.
My blind spot was revealed when I was talking about “purpose” and my colleague felt it was a buzz word and associated it with corporate purpose. There is a lot written about purpose and it is easy to forget that there is not a clear shared understanding. I have an opportunity to improve my story telling and frame things in a different way.
I am born to teach and invite people to act, to bring souls to truth. This is my calling and contribution. Microsoft is working for me by allowing me to invite leaders to be their best and act according to unchangeable truths. I am living my purpose in part through my profession.
What is your purpose? Why are you here on this earth? You have something special to contribute, what is it? Write it down, share it with those you care about most and then improve it as you get feedback. It will change the way you approach your work and life.
