What is Purposeful Leadership?
Successful leaders are purposeful leaders. They understand instinctively the importance of firmly held beliefs. According to Dr. Robert Morton’s theory on “The Art of Leading with Belief,” influential leaders intuitively leverage this knowledge to prepare their organization for change, drive the implementation of their vision, and facilitate the achievement of vital results. Mastering the art of leading with belief heightens the purposeful leader’s ability to lead through organizational change. In aligning employees and other stakeholders with the leader’s overarching belief in fundamental change, a commonly defined purpose emerges, leading to effective, practical, lasting results.
Key Benefits
New lenses to understand an economy in a state of volatility and uncertainty
Practical approaches for personal and team development
Effective growth, exit and counter strategies
Requisite competencies and skills to capably manage your businesses
Enhanced execution
6 Attributes of a Purposeful Leader
1. Conscious and authentic leader – with high emotional intelligence (aware, self-knowledge, & humble)
2. Adaptable and flexible mindset
3. Willingly lead from a place of values, integrity, ethics, and mindfulness
4. Judgment, control, clarity
5. Vision for the company aligned with all stakeholder values, including society and the environment
6. Think long-term versus short-term
6 Attributes of a Purposeful Leader
- Conscious and authentic leader – with high emotional intelligence (aware, self-knowledge, and humble)
- Adaptable and flexible mindset
- Willingly lead from a place of values, integrity, ethics, and mindfulness
- Judgment, control, clarity
- Vision for the company aligned with all stakeholder values, including society and the environment
- Think long-term versus short-term
Our Focus
A Message from James de Gaspé Bonar, Ph.D., CEC, PCC
I am often asked what is purposeful leadership, and why is it the focus of my institute? Based on my work with executives and a review of some of the best thinking on the subject, it’s clear that purpose is central to practical, principled leadership.
For successful leaders, a defined purpose is the natural source of their energy, focus, and power. A leader’s creative spirit is renewed when they reconnect to their genuine professional and personal values and unique talents.
Purpose inspires their spirit to believe that their vision of the future is worthwhile and attainable. It enables them to articulate this vision clearly and passionately. It lets them explain complicated issues in simple terms and then address them efficiently. It inspires others to reach for their dreams too. These dreams ignite the spark of renewal that enables people to move towards the future they desire with optimism and confidence. Purpose gives them a new sense of control over their destiny. In recognizing their true talents and values, they gain self-knowledge and the awareness they need to be a purposeful leader.
Purposeful leaders are the antithesis of the stereotypical executive; driven, overbearing, and ruthless. The most successful shun the tyranny of ego in their quest for meaningful and truly rewarding professional careers and gratifying personal lives. They do not compromise their ethical standards for the sake of expediency or financial self-interest. They have learned the painful lessons of repeating the same actions over and over again, expecting a different result.
Influential leaders stop the rush to activity; they distinguish the unimportant from the critical and urgent. By being true to themselves and others, they can inspire trust in their stakeholders (employees, bosses, board) to make manifest their vision of the future. Aristotle is reputed to have said: “Where the needs of the world and your talents cross, there lies your vocation.”
Why is purposeful leadership the focus of the Bonar Institute? In a word, it’s because successful leaders are purposeful leaders.