Three ways to becoming a purpose-driven leader today

Three ways to becoming a purpose-driven leader today!

This DATIS blog article, “Three ways to becoming a purpose-driven leader today!", was originally posted by Tal Shnall, Leadership Hospitality, on April 15th, 2016 and was reposted with permission.

Why does purpose matter?  Purpose is often overlooked when an organization is determining its operational strategy and business goals. Most organizations leave their mission and purpose in their company’s handbook.  But. If an organization has a sense of purpose and fulfillment, it can create a happier work environment and highly engaged employees who give 100 percent.

This past week I had the opportunity to interview and select new hires to join our team in the purpose of delivering customer service. If you want to be the leader in the service industry, you must select the best people that can represent your brand’s purpose. As I learned about the candidates, their experiences, their goals and passions, I was delighted to learn how they can contribute to our organization’s purpose of service.

Your team will take care of your customers when they understand your leadership purpose for serving, and when they understand your customers purpose for doing business which ultimately builds loyalty. Leaders must take the initiative to share their passion to serve others. Great leaders embody a sense of purpose that inspires those around them.

Leaders who understand the importance of purpose should strive to learn as much as possible about their employees. Effective leaders who know their employees’ aspirations can link those goals to their work and then enjoy the improved performance that brings excellence. Leaders who are driven by their purpose are no longer seeking a just a paycheck, but instead seek significance in adding value to people, which they identify with their purpose in life.

Great leaders lead with purpose and the best companies ensure meaning is front and center in their culture. When people feel like they are engaging in work that is personally meaningful, both employees and businesses win.

So how can you be a purpose-driven leader starting right now?

Discover and share your big WHY

Why do you do what you do? Take a moment and watch Simon Sinek’s hugely popular TED talk called “How Great Leaders Inspire Action.” His theory is that too many companies talk about what they do and how they do it, when instead, they should lead with WHY they do what they do. The why is your purpose. It’s important because it evokes emotion and connection in a potential customer, constituent, or employee, which in turn inspires them to engage with your message. We have the ability to create inspiration and motivation for the people around us. We can connect with them by sharing our WHY and relating to their purpose of their leadership journey.

Add value to your team

Leaders who are purpose-driven coach and mentor people to become the best they can be. People are looking for meaningful work. They want to know that their work matters. Meaningful work can help your team understand how their strengths, goals and abilities help them do their work well and support the organization’s vision. In turn, the organization should understand how it makes a positive difference in the larger community and beyond.

Build Relationships with customers, employees and shareholders

Being a purpose-driven leader is not only about you. It’s about creating and building positive relations with all stake holders in your organization. As I developed myself as a leader in the hospitality field, it became a very rewarding experience. I began to develop relationships with internal and external customers. I knew that my success could not be achieved by myself alone. I needed to grow and stretch. I wanted to learn from people. Being in the hotel business creates many opportunities to meet new people and grow as a leader. You have the ability to connect with people from all walks of life and creating a life of meaningful connections.