Does 'Clarity of Purpose' Make a Difference?

Adam Payne • 9 December 2020

Do you need to reach deeper into yourself to find out what makes you come alive

We were asked in a roundtable event if ‘Clarity of Purpose’ makes a difference?

In my opinion absolutely.

The clarity of purpose is a powerful thing. It helps us make better decisions, and it can drive better leadership.

A clear sense of purpose helps us to make better decisions because we're able to assess whether or not a decision will help us reach our goal. It also helps us to know what kind of people we want to be, so that we can empower those around us to be the same way. This is especially important when it comes to leadership: leaders can inspire and motivate their teams around a specific goal, and they can do this best when they have a strong sense of self-knowledge.

Leaders with clear purpose understand how their actions affect others, so they are better able to serve as an example for others in the organisation. They also know what drives them personally beyond just making money—and that translates into greater effectiveness as leaders because it allows them to set more ambitious goals for themselves and for their teams.

Simon Sinek’s Golden Circles ‘Start with Why’ is a fantastic exercise, additionally getting to grips with asking yourself

  1. Am I happy? Are you passionate about what you're doing? ...
  2. What do I want? What do you want to achieve so much that you’ll be motivated to learn, work, and sacrifice more than anyone to reach that goal? ...
  3. What do I know? ...
  4. Can I solve a problem?
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