The Untapped Power that Connects Successful Teams
Teams that connect with each other go further with greater satisfaction.
What creates and strengthens connection?
Shared purpose:
- Purpose is a matter of heart.
- Purpose is bigger than goals.
- Shared purpose calls for constant pursuit.
Those who pursue shared purpose connect with each other.
Goals are achievable, but purpose is never fully achieved. Purpose is achieved in small ways every day, but you always begin again tomorrow.
Teams need goals AND purpose. Give each other high-fives for achieving goals. But purpose fuels pursuit.
Reason for existence:
Your goal is to grow the business by 15% this year. But what’s your purpose?
Possible purpose statements for leadership teams:
- We exist to inspire the people who serve our customers.
- We exist to equip and release leaders who are committed to our vision.
The mission of your organization informs the purpose of your leadership.
The purpose question:
Suppose your leadership team’s purpose is to inspire the people who serve your customers. The purpose question is simple, challenging, and persistent.
How will we inspire the people who serve our customers today?
Goals are achieved, but purpose lives in the heart.
Where purpose lives, energy, direction, and connection follow.
Connection:
People who work on shared purpose love and respect each other.
I work with a team whose purpose is to create environments where people learn and grow. Purpose provides never ending opportunity, satisfaction, and connection. A few purpose questions that apply to us …
- How do we handle transitions during a meeting in order to maintain trajectory?
- How do we make it safe for people to interact with each other?
- How do we create engagement?
- How can we provide opportunity for people to share what they are learning?
Pursuit of shared purpose establishes and strengthens connection.
What are some possible purpose statements for leadership teams?
How might a team develop a clear purpose statement?
Resource:
Start with Why (Simon Sinek)
The Golden Circle (YouTube)
True North (Bill George)
Dan,
I am genuinely confuzzled, please elaborate:
What is the functional difference between purpose (AS you have it here) and strategy (in the leadership sense)?
Good Morning Dan!
I think it’s important to remember that the inspiration must be genuine and visible. What I mean is you can’t just say it, you must LIVE it and demonstrate it. You must show people you care. Your daily actions can’t be contrary to the verbal messages you send; to do that, risks not only a loss of inspiration, but a loss in trust.
General Norman Schwarzkopf said it this way, “Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without strategy.”
I always ask employees why do you come to work? What gets you up in the morning? If they don’t know or say money that is a issue. The purpose is YOUR why. Why do I come in early and stay late? Its not to make more money. You can always find that job. If you don’t have that reason you will never be happy in your job. Its time to move on or find out what drives you.
I clipped # 2. “Purpose is bigger than goals.”
Thanks!!!! It fits perfectly into a presentation I am doing next week on teamwork.
You are so right on JoAnne. Without Purpose why have goals or even how can you have goals without purpose.
This article reminded me of the will to power: “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Nietzsche
99.99% of people in most organisations have one purpose: make money to fund their lives. Most of them would go and work for John Gotti if he outbid your wage level. Noble purposes sound great, but you can’t eat them or pay the mortgage with them.
Thanks Mitch. I think you’ve forgotten the millions of people who serve in nonprofit organizations. (Sorry it took so long to respond)
However, we need to make enough to live on. Many do work they hate because they need to put food on the table.
I don’t think 99.9% of people are only in a job for the money. I know many that sacrificed money for purpose and chose to work for a company or location for family or other reasons.