“If purpose is ‘why’ you do what you do, values are ‘how.’ Gone are the days of ping pong tables and other gimmicky perks—today, people want to work for companies that align with their values, and whose values move beyond rhetoric and are actually put into action every day.”
– Cameron Adams, Canva’s Co-Founder and Chief Product Officer
In today’s professional landscape, embodying leadership is essential for attracting the right opportunities and connections, whether you’re a solopreneur, entrepreneur, or employee. Our journey in leadership starts with our individual choices and commitment to growth.
Despite generational misconceptions, leadership is independent of titles. It’s not something we’re given; it’s a state of being. Titles don’t define us; they offer opportunities to showcase who we are.
Being a boss differs from being a leader, just as being in a position of authority is distinct from being a person of influence. Bosses often leverage their titles to enforce authority, while leaders use titles as tools to facilitate collaboration rather than dictate control. Leadership is about influence—the ability to inspire growth, change, and personal betterment.
I’ve been fortunate to have several fantastic mentors in my life, each exemplifying true leadership. While I can’t share all they’ve taught me, one movie (I believe) illustrates the defining difference between authority vs. influence: The Last Castle, starring Robert Redford. In the film, Colonel Winter, despite his titles, armed guards, and luxuries, remains a follower of his ego. In contrast, Lieutenant General Eugene Irwin, stripped of his titles, inspires the entire inmate population of a maximum-security military prison toward growth and personal betterment. The movie suggests that Irwin’s influence may have even sparked personal growth in Colonel Winter as well.
Leadership is a way to navigate through the world—a choice to leave it better than we found it. It’s a trail of inspired action, reminding us that the value of our titles is often overinflated by our ego.
Let’s start with this understanding, with discernment, as we strive to fully embody what it means to be the leader of our lives.
When was the last time you found yourself at a crossroads? Chances are, it was more recent than you think. Each day presents us with choices and opportunities that shape and redirect our tomorrows. How often do we take the helm of our decisions consciously? How frequently do we reflect on the far-reaching impact of our choices?
Leading our lives goes beyond simple decision-making; it requires us to embrace our autonomy and seek purpose. It’s about recognizing that each choice we make is a step toward defining our unique path. As we navigate these crossroads, we can transform our lives more purposefully by aligning our actions with our values, aspirations, and autonomy.
Autonomy is the ability to make decisions and take actions that align with our values, free from external influence or pressure. It’s about being the captain of our own ship, steering our lives in the direction we choose. Understanding autonomy also helps us clarify where our authority ends and another’s authority begins. We recognize what is within our control—our thoughts, emotions, words, actions, and ultimately, how we choose to show up in the world. Importantly, we understand that we do not have authority over another human being; at best, we have influence.
Exercising autonomy means showing up in our power and focusing on what lies within our realm of control. When we embrace this, we start to live more authentically. We steer our ship in the direction of what truly matters to us. In doing so, we attract others who also know how to stand in their power—those who possess clarity and experience regarding what power is and what it’s not.
“Two ways to influence human behavior: you can manipulate it or you can inspire it.”
–Simon Sinek
“Leadership is not a position; it’s a mindset.”
–Leading Without Authority
“True leaders don’t wait for permission; they seek opportunities to lead and make an impact.”
–Leading Without Authority
Purpose is something we create for ourselves, not something we wait to be given. In an often monotonous and disheartening world, we need navigational tools to keep us on track, and leading our lives with purpose serves as that essential tool. Purpose provides both direction and meaning; it is the driving force behind our goals and aspirations. It motivates us to push beyond our comfort zones, break free from limitations, and strive for excellence. When we have a clear sense of purpose, we become more resilient in the face of challenges, more focused, adaptable, and driven.
So, what’s our purpose? How do we cultivate a clear sense of purpose? Where do we start?
While we cannot define another’s purpose for them, we can establish some common ground on purpose as it relates to leadership.
Whether you’re fanning the flames of inspired action within yourself or in others, this is the spark of purpose in leadership: inspired action through the pursuit of self-mastery.
Having a clear purpose not only expands the range of choices we can see in front of us but also elevates the quality of the options we’re willing to entertain. Personal growth and success become attainable with every inspired action we take. As we lead with purpose, we navigate challenges with greater clarity and confidence.
Leading our lives comes with its own set of challenges, such as fear of failure, societal expectations, and self-doubt. It involves the responsibility of letting people down for all the right reasons. Society often expects us to sell pieces of ourselves to accommodate the status quo. When we’re no longer willing to negotiate our values or integrity, we inevitably disappoint those who have benefited from our unleaderlike behavior. When we aren’t leading our lives, our challenges begin to lead us.
So, how do we navigate this new way of moving through the world? With curiosity, compassion, and grace. By practicing these qualities within ourselves, we can become the leaders we need and raise the bar on inspired action. Breathe it in. Let the challenges reveal where we haven’t been leading our life—and how we can begin to.
It’s okay to think outside the box. It’s okay to lead our lives. Embrace autonomy. Choose with purpose. Take back the reins of destiny and create a future that’s both abundant and fulfilling. Raise the bar on what leadership looks like. Lead with purpose, passion, and inspired action through the pursuit of self-mastery.