Should leading with purpose bring clarity and alignment to your business?

As a business leader or manager, you direct your business every day, every week, every month.

What would you say when asked about the purpose of your business?

You might say:

• To ensure the team are happy
• To deliver to our customers on time
• To deal with customer complaints efficiently
• To have a quick turnaround of orders
• To make a profit

All these things are important in order for your business to function healthily. These are the things you are doing within your business every day, and these are the aims and ambitions of you and your team, but they are not the purpose of your business.

Capturing a clear description of your business’s purpose is not easy, but it is a source of sustainable competitive advantage when you make it happen, so it’s worth the effort.

What exactly do we mean by purpose? 

Roy M Spence gives us a clear definition:

Simply put, it’s a definitive statement about the difference you are trying to make. If you have a purpose and can articulate it with clarity and passion, everything makes sense, everything flows.   – It’s Not What You Sell, It’s What You Stand For

So, what does it take to lead with purpose?

Your core purpose is your business’s fundamental reason for being and, like a compass, gives you and your business a sense of direction, ensuring your decisions and actions are in keeping with what matters most to you. By staying true to this, you will ensure you are leading your business with purpose.