Many people want to become leaders but give little thought to their purpose. They are attracted to the power, prestige, and financial rewards of leading an organization. But without a real sense of purpose, leaders are at the mercy of their egos.

Your leadership purpose is unique to you. So, how do you discover your purpose? Your purpose should be powerful, bigger than you, and evident to everyone around you. A true purpose drives you as a leader, gives you confidence during bad days, and keeps you from losing your perspective when things are going well. Knowing your purpose will enable you to inspire and empower others around you.

A best practice is to identify your passions through the lens of your life story—your crucible, the high points, and the low points of your life and leadership. Many people struggle to find their purpose because they do not recognize their passions. Believe me, this is something I struggle with too! The goal of this week’s reflective journal activity is to identify the elements of your purpose. First, start by briefly answering the following questions:

1. When you were a child, what did you most love doing?

2. When you were a teenager, what were your favorite things to do?

3. Is there anything you are truly passionate about in your life now?

4. If you had no limitations on your life—no concerns about money, family obligations, or work requirements—how would you spend our time and energy?

5. Have you thought about how you can make a difference in the world?

Using the previous answers as inspiration, answer the following question:

6. Is there a place that you are already leading with a sense of purpose? If so, where?.

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Growing up in a middle class family in a tough economy has taught me numerous things in life which s... View the full answer