Not so long ago, I had the pleasure of speaking with the Young Professionals Committee of The Chesterfield Chamber about career development, or, in other words, advancing in your career, so I immediately knew that I had to focus my presentation on how shared purpose aligns goals (between employer and employee and business and customer), which, in turn, drives results.
Now, before I enlighten you with the scope of my presentation, I have to first share with you that if you are ever in doubt about the future, connect with young professionals. After my presentation, I felt compelled to buy the best pair of shades I could buy. Why? Because their future is so bright, we need to wear shades! The amount of inquisitiveness and energy in the room filled me with so much positivity and optimism that I could have skipped my afternoon cup of coffee.
Now, back to the topic...
Throughout my presentation, I professed that in today's fast-paced and interconnected world, achieving success requires more than just individual ambition and talent. It demands a collective effort fueled by a shared purpose. When individuals come together with a common vision, aligning their goals and aspirations, the potential for achievement multiplies exponentially.
In this blog, we will explore the profound impact of shared purpose in driving goals and paving the path to success.
Shared purpose starts with the creation of a collective vision. It involves bringing together individuals who share similar values, beliefs, and goals. A well-defined and compelling vision serves as a guiding star, inspiring people to work together towards a common objective. By articulating this vision clearly, leaders can ignite passion and enthusiasm among team members, fostering a strong sense of purpose.
Additionally, not only is it important for leaders within an organization, i.e., business owners, c-suite leaders, directors, etc., to share their vision, but it is each employee's responsibility to share and communicate with their employers their own personal vision and purpose for their career. To lead oneself is arguably the most important role each person will ever have in their lifetime, and if you do not lead yourself to achieve your purpose or vision others will consequently lead you toward their purpose or vision, which may not be aligned with your purpose or vision. Sometimes employers fail to retain employees because they neglect to communicate their vision and purpose. However, sometimes employers fail to retain some employees because those employees neglected to communicate their vision and purpose. If those employees were to have communicated their vision and purpose, the employer may have been able to align each other's purposes.
When individuals share a purpose, their goals and actions naturally align. Collaboration becomes essential as team members recognize that their success is interdependent. Each person's strengths and expertise complement those of others, leading to the synergy necessary for accomplishing ambitious objectives. A collaborative environment enables the exchange of ideas, diverse perspectives, and collective problem-solving, ultimately driving the group toward success.
For example, I have been in a situation where I worked with colleagues who did not share a purpose. One sought work as a means to continually increase wealth which could be passed as a legacy to their family. Therefore, their purpose was focused on dollars and cents. One sought to grow their reputation as being successful business people among their family, friends, and peers. (Ultimately, they sought to prove their intelligence and worth.) One sought to serve their clients to the best of their ability and to grow their business to attract buyers because their purpose was to be able to retire at a young age. One sought to serve, educate, and inspire others in hopes to make the world a better place for people and to leave a long-lasting legacy. After many attempts to work together, it just didn't work because our purposes, values, beliefs, and goals were not aligned. We often found ourselves extremely frustrated with each other. Purpose aligns people and makes collaboration far more organic.
Shared purpose provides a powerful source of motivation. When individuals are united by a common cause, they are more likely to stay committed, even in the face of challenges. The belief in the significance of their collective goal fuels their determination and resilience. Shared purpose fosters a strong sense of belonging and camaraderie, making individuals more willing to overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and persist in their pursuit of success.
For example, how many sports movies have you watched where the underdog who gets trampled on eventually wins the "big game" because the coach and the team shared a purpose to do what is right for the team and to have fun? Every day challenges to world wars have been won due to a shared purpose.
While shared purpose emphasizes the collective, it also enhances individual contributions. When people share a common goal, they are more inclined to support and uplift one another. The success of the group becomes intertwined with personal achievements, motivating individuals to bring their best selves to the table. As a result, the combined efforts of the team surpass what any individual could achieve alone, leading to greater overall success.
Again, the sports movie analogy referenced above applies here, as well.
Shared purpose encourages innovation and growth. When individuals are driven by a collective vision, they are more inclined to think creatively, seek novel solutions, and take calculated risks. The synergy created by diverse perspectives and shared goals fosters an environment where new ideas can flourish. This innovative mindset leads to continuous improvement, learning, and adaptability, enabling individuals and teams to overcome challenges and reach new heights of success.
For example, if the purpose is understood and shared throughout an entire organization, innovation, continuous improvement, and creativity are not reserved only for upper management. Everyone within the organization feels compelled to share new ideas. I've witnessed a janitor be promoted to the chief financial officer because they were given the autonomy as a janitor to offer novel ideas.
Conclusion
Shared purpose is a driving force that propels goals toward success. It creates a collective vision, aligns individual efforts, and fosters collaboration and motivation. With a shared purpose, teams are more resilient, innovative, and able to overcome obstacles on the path to achieving their goals. By harnessing the power of shared purpose, individuals and organizations can unlock their full potential and make a meaningful impact in their pursuits. Remember, great accomplishments are rarely achieved alone; they are the result of a group of individuals working together toward a shared purpose.
According to Ego is the Enemy by Ryan Holiday, "Passion is about (I am passionate about [fill in the blank]). Purpose is about (to and for. I must do [fill in the blank].) I was put here to accomplish [fill in the blank]. I am willing to endure [fill in the blank] for the sake of this. Actually, purpose deemphasizes the I. Purpose is about pursuing something outside of yourself as opposed to pleasuring yourself."