As work environments continue to evolve and develop, leaders need to find ways to connect on a deeper level with their greatest asset - their people. We have all had leaders that make personal investments that enable them to get the most out of each and every employee. People feel compelled to work hard for these leaders and are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that commitments are met.
Personal investments that yield positive impact:
Storytelling: Stories can have a powerful and inspiring effect on individuals and organizations. Purposeful leaders don’t order people to “get motivated”, “get results”, or “be creative”, but they can lead followers to these outcomes through authentic storytelling. When individuals hear compelling stories, three things occur:
The story is memorable
The story travels further
The story inspires action
A leader that knows which stories to tell to get their leadership message across in a meaningful way can be more effective at achieving their strategic goals.
Values: Personal values serve as a perceptual filter that shapes decisions. Consistently addressing tough decisions in the context of values help push you towards intentions involving positive financial or social impact. Values guide you towards your purpose in the following ways:
Values guide your actions and behaviors
Values help you create clarity for your life
Values strengthen your ability to influence
Having clear values helps define who you are and remain intentional while becoming more intuitive over time. Being clear on your values helps you be a more effective, productive, and confident leader.
Vision: Essentially, vision focuses your attention on what matters most to you. It represents who you are and what is most important to you as it guides you towards the future you want to see. A clearly articulated vision is necessary for the following reasons:
Vision is a clear path on where you are headed
Vision motivates and inspires you (and others) to press on
Vision gives you meaning, leading to purpose
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.” ~ Carl Jung
A sense of purpose is created throughout life’s journey and encapsulates one’s identity (stories), values, and vision. In Nick Craig’s book titled, “Leading from Purpose: Clarity and the Confidence to Act When It Matters Most,” he references studies that highlight that leaders whom employees felt had clarity of purpose and communicated it inspired their employees to be:
70% more satisfied with their jobs
56% more engaged
100% more likely to stay with their organization
A purposeful leader inspires individuals, teams, and organizations to confidently evaluate high-stakes decisions and to postpone temporary rewards in favor of leaving a sustained, meaningful impact.
Is your purpose leading you to a positive impact?