“He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” – Friedrich Nietzsche
Many leaders start the new year with fresh goals, plans and strategies. They’re energized with a sense of optimism and purpose. Their purpose sets the context for how to live their lives. With purpose, leaders avoid distractions and keep their eyes on what’s most important. For purpose-driven leaders, it is not unusual for them to literally jump out of bed with determination, a specific goal in mind or a desired intention.
Leaders with purpose are more likely to experience higher satisfaction and happiness, better physical functioning, even better sleep. In addition, according to Patricia Boyle, a neuropsychologist at the Rush Alzheimer’s Disease Center in Chicago, a clear purpose is “… a very robust predictor of health and wellness in old age.”
While effective leaders live on purpose, they also have a responsibility to ensure that their employees find purpose in what they do. There is a direct correlation between satisfying work and an organization’s vision and purpose. Work with purpose fuels employees to do their best. How can leaders know if employees see their work as purposeful?
Also, consider incorporating the process recommended by Peter Drucker in The Practice of Management. Encourage your employees to write you a “Management Letter” every six months. In the letter, they write down what they see as your objectives and goals. Then, they write their own objectives. The final step is for you and your employee to review the letter together to see how aligned their perception of your objectives are with the company’s vision and mission as well as how their objectives align with yours. This focused dialogue helps to ensure that your work together is furthering the overall mission and vision of the company.
Living on Purpose is transformational and helps build highly effective, energized teams. Remember, those leaders who work with purpose inspire their employees to do the same. Download our Living on Purpose questions to help guide you to lead and live on purpose in 2017 and beyond.