The Power of Purpose

Carlissa Runnels • January 20, 2026

When you think of purpose, what comes to mind? For most people, it is meaning, importance, or significance. However, I would like to challenge you to see purpose as a tool that helps you succeed as a leader and in life. It is your strength that will help you to effectively utilize your talents and gifts. Imagine running a race without knowing where the finish line is or putting together a puzzle without a picture of the finished product. In both situations, you may have great intentions to finish, but getting there will be frustrating and difficult…if you finish at all. Think of your purpose as the cheat sheet. You know all the answers because it’s your purpose, you know where the finish line is, and you know what the puzzle should look like. Knowing your purpose gives you the direction you need to move forward with confidence and capability. Thus, allowing you to perform more efficiently.

Your Purpose is Unique

Leaning into your purpose first requires you to understand the uniqueness of yourself. Just like your fingerprint or DNA, your purpose is not and will not be identical to anyone else. You can admire another person’s purpose, but you cannot replicate it. Even if your purpose is similar, there will always be noticeable differences that cater to your skills and abilities. Take time to reflect on what you do naturally. Remember, just because something comes naturally does not mean you may not need further development; it just means you have potential in this area. Also, consider what interests you. Focus on what keeps your attention. Not just what grabs your attention, but what will keep you engaged after the initial allure wears off. Think about your current or future job roles and responsibilities, organization affiliations, or social groups, and ask yourself three questions: 1) Why am I doing this? 2) What do I enjoy about this? 3) What does this mean to me? These questions will help put you on the path to identifying your purpose.

Your Purpose Evolves

Technology evolves, people evolve, companies evolve, so why do we think our purpose should remain stagnant? Sometimes your purpose has been completed, and it is time to start a new path. Other times, your purpose expands and grows as you do. Either way, it is important to keep an open mind about where your purpose is leading you. One way to deviate from your purpose is to not recognize when it is evolving. You may become stuck on a path that you have outgrown or that you are no longer being productive in. As leaders, this does not mean that you stop leading as your purpose evolves, but it does mean that your leadership may look different in the future or based on those you are leading. King Solomon was the wisest man in the bible, and he tells us there is a season for everything. Take inventory of what season in life you are in to ensure your purpose is aligned. Look for signs of passion and productivity to ensure that you are growing and developing with your purpose.

Your Purpose Fulfills

Many people have successful careers, education, family, etc., but they do not feel fulfilled. That is because we all need a sense of purpose, and when we walk in the light of that purpose, we experience a sense of accomplishment that no tangible thing can provide. Mark Twain has been credited with saying, “The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you find out why.” Chasing after physical things first and trying to find purpose later leads to a life of constant chasing. On the other hand, following your purpose first and letting the material things come later, as they will, provides Inner peace and allows you to enjoy the success that you achieve. Finding your purpose is not easy, staying in your purpose is even harder, but being fulfilled by your purpose makes it all worth it. So, as we move forward in the new year ahead, let us live and lead in the power of our purpose.

< Older Post

Leave Your Comment

search Article

Rest and Reset

By Carlissa Runnels • December 24, 2024

Being a productive employee means knowing when to invest back into yourself. Taking small breaks is fine, but sometimes it is not enough. In those moments, the best way to rejuvenate yourself is to take a few days off and decompress.

Beating Employee Burnout

By Carlissa Runnels • November 22, 2024

As motivated as we are to become great leaders and employees, we should be just as motivated to prioritize our own personal well-being. Otherwise, we can begin to experience signs of burnout, which can negatively impact our performance and health. When employees are consistently exposed to workplace stress, they are at risk of becoming burned out. If you experience constant exhaustion just by thinking of your work before you even get to the office, feelings of cynicism related to your job, or reduced personal effectiveness, you may be encountering burnout. Burnout will rob you of your joy, passion, and motivation. Therefore, to be the best version of ourselves personally and professionally, we must take steps to manage workplace stress. Many programs and models will help you accomplish this. However, you can also do three things on your own to increase your well-being and decrease burnout: (1) Identify the source, (2) Intervene promptly, and (3) Improve the environment going forward.

Creating a Culture of Civility

By Carlissa Runnels • October 15, 2024

As an employee, you get to choose where you work, but you do not get to choose who you work with. That is why organizations are full of people with varying opinions, backgrounds, upbringing, education, morals, values, and beliefs. Within these organizations, we encourage leaders to promote diversity. However, we also need to establish a positive way to engage with others when faced with diversity of thought. That is why SHRM is promoting their campaign for 1 Million Civil Conversations . Fostering civility at work can lead to a better employee experience, improved well-being, fewer employee relations issues, and increased innovation, among many other benefits. I believe there are two interpersonal skills we can all work on to help us drive those civil conversations: consideration and courage.