During an early "A New Equilibrium" workshop several years ago, we spent time developing a statement of our personal leadership purpose. We tried to answer the question "why did my Creator put me in a leadership position?" We were looking for something that would reach that self actualization level--beyond putting food on the table. I drafted mine, refined it, shared it with other colleagues, refined it further and made it mine. My purpose is "to help organizations work together to serve clients." This simple statement has helped me since then to connect with who I am and why I work.

A couple of years ago I met with a very senior business leader who was looking to hire a leader in my functional area. I wasn't sure the job was a good fit for me and as we neared the end of our conversation, I was inspired to say that if I wasn't the right person, I would help him find the right leader because that was my purpose--to help organizations collaborate. He was very taken with my offer. I did end up working for him and ever since, whenever I've spoken with recruiters or potential employers, I offer to help them find the right person because that's my purpose. It always leaves a good impression and several have followed up with calls to get my help either in hiring the right person or in describing the person that they needed. For me, that opportunity and those questions are a gift to me. It's a great way for me to live my purpose.

If you're confident that you know your leadership purpose, what ways do you use to live it?

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