Leading with Purpose: How I Discovered My Leadership Why
When I first started my leadership journey, I was driven by one thing: success. I focused on building a business, hitting targets, and expanding my network. Like many others, I was caught up in the hustle, the constant push to achieve, to grow, to tick off boxes. But as time passed, I started to feel like something was missing. I was getting results, sure, but they didn’t feel as meaningful as I thought they would. It was as though I was just going through the motions, rather than truly leading from a place of purpose.
It was a difficult realisation. I was achieving outward success, but inside, I felt disconnected from the true essence of why I was doing what I was doing. And that’s when the shift happened. I decided to take a step back and ask myself the most important question I could: Why do I do what I do? What was the deeper purpose driving my work?
At first, it wasn’t easy to answer. I had spent so much time focused on external achievements that I hadn’t taken the time to reflect on my “why.” But the moment I uncovered it, everything changed. I found my purpose, the core reason that made me feel aligned with my work and my vision. And once I discovered that purpose, it was like a lightbulb went off. I began to lead with greater clarity, passion, and resilience.
No longer was I making decisions based purely on results or what seemed like the next logical step. Instead, I started making choices that aligned with my deeper purpose and my core values. It wasn’t just about ticking boxes anymore; it was about creating lasting impact, both in my business and in the lives of others. Every decision felt more authentic, and with that authenticity came a sense of fulfilment that I hadn’t known before.
It’s hard to put into words the transformational power of discovering your purpose as a leader. When you lead with purpose, you lead with heart, and that is the energy that fuels sustainable growth. Purpose gives you the strength to persevere when things get tough, the resilience to overcome setbacks, and the vision to inspire others. It helps you stay grounded when the noise of everyday life tries to pull you off course.
If you’re feeling stuck or disconnected from your leadership, I encourage you to pause and reflect on your own purpose. Ask yourself: Why do I lead? What is the deeper reason behind your actions and decisions? When you understand this, your leadership will shift in ways you never imagined.
Here are a few actionable takeaways to help you uncover and align with your purpose:
Ask Yourself Why: Take some quiet time to reflect on why you’re doing what you’re doing. It may not come immediately, and that’s okay. The key is to go beyond surface-level goals and tap into what truly drives you. What impact do you want to create in the world?
Align Your Decisions with Your Core Values: Once you’ve discovered your “why,” start aligning your leadership decisions with your values. When your choices are rooted in your purpose, they’ll feel more authentic and meaningful. You’ll notice a shift in the way you lead, and others will feel it too.
Stay Connected to Your Purpose: As leaders, we’re constantly faced with challenges, distractions, and demands. It’s easy to get lost in the day-to-day. But when you have a strong sense of purpose, it becomes your compass. When things get tough, return to your “why” and let it guide you.
The journey to discovering your leadership purpose is one of the most powerful things you can do for yourself, your team, and the people you serve. When you lead from a place of meaning, everything falls into place. Your decisions become clearer, your actions more impactful, and your leadership more inspiring.
So, take a moment to ask yourself: Why do you lead? And let that answer be the foundation for everything that comes next. The world needs leaders who lead with purpose, and I believe you are one of them.
