From the course: Transformational Leadership

Why purpose and vision matter

From the course: Transformational Leadership

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Why purpose and vision matter

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- If we step back to pay attention in our everyday lives, each of us will find opportunities to make a difference that inspires us. In fact, that's what leaders do. Inspired leaders inspire others. A leader is someone who energizes a group of people to accomplish a shared goal. Your purpose is how you create a positive impact for others that also inspires you. A vision is the outcome, the dream of a better future that you want to create with others. Purpose and vision connect and reinforce each other. For example, I find purpose when I help a leader step into their more inspired self. My vision is that we create inspired workplaces where people are energized to work on the missions that matter to them. Why does connecting with purpose and vision matter? It matters because it harnesses energy, imagination, engagement, and commitment. From a brain science perspective, there is fascinating research by Dr. Boyatzis from Case Western University. The research shows that we have a battle going on in our brains. There are two networks that run in our brains. Let's call one the analytical. It's task-focused, analytic, and detached from others. The other is the empathic. It's relationship-oriented, ethically aware. When one is present, the other is not. So our brain seesaws between these networks. Guess where we spend most of our working time? Yes, in our analytical network. When the empathic network is active, we feel more connected with others, are more likely to act with integrity, and we are more open to possibilities and change. So, my friends, the reason why purpose and vision matter is that they inspire us to become the best versions of ourselves, and that inspired feeling we have is contagious to others. So let's try an experiment. Ask a colleague to describe a time when they felt inspired. Notice how they light up. Notice how it makes you feel. That, my friends, is our empathic brain in action.

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