5 Principles of Purposeful Leadership

Unveiling the quintessential principles of purposeful leadership, we delve into the core values that shape effective leaders. Discover how these principles can transform your leadership style, fostering a purpose-driven environment that inspires and motivates.

Summary

The traditional model of the leader-hero who saves the day, knows it all, is the smartest person in the room, and is too often driven by power, fame, glory, or money is not appropriate in today’s environment.

• Today’s fast-changing, complex, and unpredictable environment necessitates a different kind of leadership. Nobody can claim to have all the answers to solve the complex crises we’re facing, and the most adaptable organizations are those in which decisions are being decentralized.

Be clear about your purpose

Your purpose, the purpose of those around you, and how that connects to your company’s purpose.

• Corie Barry, my successor as CEO of Best Buy, once shared with me that her personal purpose is to leave something a little better than when she found it, which she connects to the company’s mission to enrich lives through technology.

Be yourself, your true self, your whole self, the best version of yourself

Be vulnerable.

• Being vulnerable and authentic does not mean offloading everything to your colleagues. For leaders, it means sharing emotions and struggles when appropriate and helpful to others. Emotions are at the heart of social connection.

Be clear about your role

Your role as a leader is to create energy and momentum, especially when circumstances are dire

• Inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more
• Create the right environment for others to flourish in support of the company purpose

The way we lead has profound implications on people around us and how we do business

We cannot transform companies, and more generally capitalism, unless we reflect on who we are as leaders

• Start with yourself
• Have you decided what kind of leader you want to be?
• What are you doing to create an environment in which others can thrive?
• Who are you serving? What values define you? Are you doing your best to be authentic?

Be clear about who you serve

As a leader, you must serve the people on the front lines, driving the business.

• You serve your board of directors, and the people around you. You serve others by first understanding what they need to give their best so you can best support them.

Be driven by values

Values are no good if they remain on paper

• A leader’s role is to live by these values, explicitly promote them, and make sure they’re part of the fabric of the business
• Know when to leave when you’re not aligned with your environment

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