The Enduring Power of Purpose at Work

Over the years, I’ve led global teams, launched award-winning campaigns, and helped billion-dollar brands grow and evolve. But the work that stays with me—the kind that gets me out of bed in the morning—isn’t just about metrics, revenue, or awards.

It’s about purpose. When work doesn’t just feel like a job, it feels like a calling.

For those of us in marketing and communications, we’re in a unique position. We don’t just tell stories—we help shape how people see themselves in the world. We connect people to ideas, brands to values, companies to culture. At our best, we build trust, inspire action, and help organizations show up with clarity and conviction.

That’s why I believe purpose isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a cornerstone of modern business. Consumers are demanding it. Employees are seeking it. And frankly, the world needs it now more than ever.

Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand how purpose-driven leadership can power performance. Whether we were elevating the role of sustainability in our brand narrative or helping teams across the globe tell more human-centered stories, our most successful moments came when we grounded our work in something deeper than what we sell.

While at HP, we weren’t just launching products—we were launching tools that powered small business dreams, enabled remote learning, and supported creative expression. That kind of framing changes the energy of a team. It changes how people engage with your brand. And it delivers results.

So how do we bring more purpose into our work?

1. Start with truth. Purpose isn’t a tagline. It must be authentic and deeply embedded into how the company operates. That means aligning brand storytelling, leadership communications, and company behavior—and being honest when there’s still work to do.

2. Prioritize people over products. The campaigns I’m most proud of put people at the center, using data-driven insights to understand our audience. What do they care about? What do they need? How can we make their lives better, easier, or more meaningful?

3. Measure what matters. Of course we track performance—but we also need to define success in broader terms. Are we building trust? Fostering loyalty? Creating advocates? Helping people connect to something bigger than themselves?

4. Lead with empathy. Teams thrive when they have purpose, too. As leaders, we need to connect people to the “why” behind the work—and give them space to bring their own sense of purpose to the table.

For me, finding purpose in my work has never been about lofty ideals—it’s about impact. When we do it right, we help brands grow, yes—but we also help people feel seen and heard. We offer hope. We build connection. And we create meaning and unity in today’s noisy, often divided world.

I’m especially inspired by organizations that are using innovation to solve real-world problems—whether it’s enabling the energy transition, improving lives through technology, or building a more sustainable future. That’s the kind of purpose-driven work I’m drawn to.

And that’s work worth doing—and worth getting up for every morning.