Lost or Leading? Why the Most Powerful Leaders Start with Why
Rediscover your purpose. Reignite your leadership.
You can crush goals, climb ladders, and collect accolades, but if you’re not clear on your why, it all starts to feel… hollow.
Purpose isn’t a branding exercise. It’s not a tagline on your LinkedIn or a slide in your pitch deck.
It’s your anchor.
Your fuel.
Your compass when the path gets foggy.
And here's the truth most leaders miss: You don’t “find” your purpose. You remember it.
It’s been there beneath the noise, the pressure, the polished performance, quietly waiting for you to come home to it.
Why Purpose Is Your Leadership Power Source
When your leadership isn’t grounded in purpose, it starts to look performative, reacting to the outside world instead of leading from within.
But when you’re anchored in a deep, personal “why,” everything changes:
Decisions become easier (because they’re aligned)
Resilience grows (because the work means something)
Growth becomes intentional (not just achievement for achievement’s sake)
The world doesn’t need more reactive leaders.
It needs leaders with clarity, courage, and conviction.
Leaders like you, who choose to pause and reconnect with what actually matters.
Radical Reframe: Stop Chasing Purpose
Try this shift:
Instead of asking, “How do I find my purpose?”
Ask, “When do I feel most like myself?”
That’s your signal. That’s the thread. Pull it.
How to (Re)Connect With Your Purpose
1. Reflect: Remember Your Why - Grab your journal, or your Notes app, and explore:
When in your life have you felt most alive, energized, and powerful?
What would you pursue if time, money, fear, or judgment didn’t exist?
What do you want your leadership to stand for?
What legacy do you want to leave behind?
2. Articulate It: Create Your Why Manifesto
Summarize your purpose in 3 sentences.
Keep it honest. Make it yours. Read it out loud.
3. Make It Visual
Design a simple symbol (or choose an image) that captures the essence of your purpose.
Put it somewhere you’ll see daily: on your desk, your phone background, or your journal.
4. Speak It Into Existence
Record yourself sharing your “why” or talk it through with someone who sees your greatness.
Watch what happens when your purpose becomes real in your voice.
5. Check Your Alignment
Ask yourself: On a scale of 1–10, how aligned do I feel with my purpose today?
What’s one thing I can do to bump that number up by even one point?
You don’t need to overhaul your life to lead with purpose.
You just need to remember who you are and why you began.
Take 10 minutes. Reconnect.
Your leadership and your future self will thank you.
“Courage doesn’t mean you don’t get afraid. Courage means you don’t let Fear stop you.”
Resources to Dive Deeper
Ready to ditch the "check-out" mentality and embrace true delegation? Here are some resources to fuel your journey:
Books:
Start with Why by Simon Sinek: a classic for a reason
The Power of Meaning by Emily Esfahani Smith: soulful, research-backed storytelling
The Art of Possibility by Rosamund and Benjamin Zander: one of my personal favorites for vision and leadership with heart
Podcast:
The Mel Robbins Podcast – “What’s Your Purpose?” Mel breaks it down with raw, relatable insights on meaning and action.
Article:
Book of the Month: Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High
This leadership classic is a must-read for anyone who wants to navigate tough conversations with clarity, confidence, and impact.
Why should leaders read it? Because your ability to handle high-stakes dialogue — whether it’s giving feedback, addressing conflict, or aligning teams — directly shapes your effectiveness and trust as a leader. Crucial Conversations offers practical, research-backed tools to help you stay calm, listen deeply, and communicate skillfully, even when emotions run high.
If you want to lead with more influence and less friction, this book belongs on your shelf (and in your hands).
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"Purpose is the invisible rudder that steers every bold decision a leader makes—without it, you drift; with it, you lead with clarity, courage, and conviction."
