Purpose: Injecting Soul Into Strategy – Part I

Without purpose you can forget about strategy.

 The business world has become a place where companies are fighting tooth and nail to create the “newest” products, deliver “the best” services and make “the most” money. These companies, however, are missing a key piece of the puzzle. They fail to realize that in the interdependent world we live in, the only way to survive and grow is to add unique value that helps others and your company prosper.

 It becomes evident that what our current business world needs is purpose-led organizations that have built their existence around helping solve a problem or creating an opportunity.  Businesses that care enough to put their uniqueness in the service of others.

WHY PURPOSE?

Purpose injects meaning into business and soul into strategy. Purpose is WHY an organization exists; it is the way you are contributing to the community around you and adding to the quality and value of all living beings.

Purpose helps your organization tell a different story and allows it to carefully create a position that distinguishes it from everybody else. It aids you in crafting your own signature and mark in the world. What is the story you want your company to tell?

Purpose focuses your decision-making and becomes the blueprint for all of your decisions. It concentrates your actions and guides every task you need to make. Purpose-led organizations have a clear benchmark: they know who their target customers are and for whom their business exists to serve, and are clear on how they will use their resources (time, attention, finances, energy and people) to serve their communities better than anyone else.

Having a clear purpose frees your time, energy and resources to focus only on serving others the way you do best. Everything else can be outsourced, if possible.

Purpose boosts your energy. Finding THAT one thing that will naturally energize and motivate you, something that inspires and brings meaning to everyday tasks. Purpose frees you from limitations and opens up untapped possibilities. It creates resilience and tolerance to failure that will drive you and your business forward in spite of problems you may encounter. As Nietzsche puts it: "He who has a why to live can bear almost any how."

Purpose mobilizes the masses and redirects passion. It drives and unites your team and inspires others to join you and make a difference. The energy that purpose will give you will be contagious and spread.

Then the question remains. Does your company have a purpose? If not, then how can you introduce purpose to the way you do business today?

Calming the Storm: Thinking before Reacting

Shoot first and ask questions later.

That is how an individual functions when he/she chooses to operate on the REACTIVE MODE. They tend to follow their first instinct, which often places them in unfavorable situations involving violence or aggression, or losing opportunities. By giving yourself some time to think before acting, your mode of function can eventually switch to RESPONSIVE. This is ideal because it prompts individuals to act with a purpose, instead of just reacting instinctively (for more details read the first part here).

So what are some techniques to avoid being reactive?

Be aware.  When you notice yourself getting angry understand that our primary instinct takes over and the first line of action, is probably not the right one (e.g. scream, punch, throw things). It is merely a biological reaction, which comes from the instinctive urge to protect ourselves from what we perceive to be as threatening.

Feelings are not your foes. When you try and control what you feel it ends up coming back far stronger. Feelings are normal; they are neither good nor bad and should be accepted. It is your actions, on the other hand, that you will be held accountable for.  It is necessary to find ways to vent or release your negative emotions in a positive manner (e.g. exercise, opening up to a trusted confidant). Give yourself some time to understand, accept and move past these feelings, before acting.

Time is key. Research shows if you wait at least 4 seconds (instead of immediately making a decision based on your first impulse), the quality of your decision is drastically improved. Common phrases or sayings such as “sleep on it” or “breath and count to 10” emphasize the essentiality of time.

Only make a decision when YOU HAVE TO.  It is best to not make important decisions when you are too angry or when you are too happy, because both can cloud your judgment. If the decision is not urgent, take some time and weigh all the options.

Looking in from the outside. It is key to give yourself some distance from your problems. This does not mean to avoid or escape them, but sometimes in order to see a problem through a more objective lens you need to separate yourself from it. It may help to change your setting or go for a walk, just so that you can give yourself a new perspective or outlook.

Not everything is personal. It is difficult but crucial, in times when you get hurt, to remember that some things are just not personal. Separate yourself from people’s views of you and put your ego aside. Your self-esteem and value should not be affected by what others think; sometimes their criticisms are merely a result of their own insecurities. Just be true to yourself and your values.

Be kind. Everyone has their own battle to fight. You will meet people from all different walks of life. Some will treat you badly, but do not be drawn in and tempted to treat them back as such. Respect them despite their treatment of you because your response reveals a lot about who you are. It certainly requires a great amount of strength to always try and elevate any situation that you are in and to remain positive but it is important to always try.

Know Thyself. Understand your nature, your triggers and your limitations. When you feel that a certain situation may bring out the worst side of you, either remove yourself from the situation or try and understand why this continuously happens. You will make mistakes but you will never know what you are capable of unless you test your limits.

Lastly, practice makes perfect.

So ask yourself, when was the last time you were reactive and how did you handle it?