An excerpt from Transfluence
I have heard leaders say that their sole purpose is to provide jobs for people so that those people can provide for their families and in turn create a better world. And I agree that this is a critically important purpose of any organization. But to me, that’s like parents saying they can take care of all their child’s needs by providing the shelter of a home. We all know that’s simply not the case. It’s a good start, but the responsibility doesn’t end there. Yes, the owner or shareholder of a business is important. Yes, businesses exist to make money. Most businesses need to attract capital, and capital doesn’t flow to folks that don’t. And, yes, it’s good that businesses provide jobs so people can make a living. But I think a better and broader objective of business is to create shareholder value.
Ahh…. Now, that’s different. That objective requires more because it’s not just about profits, it concerns the overall well-being of an organization. Any organization. A business, a nonprofit, a union, a government. They all represent congregations of people. And leaders will struggle to create value in today’s climates without considering what their congregations desire. Why? Because their people are more integral to the success of the organization than ever. And the desires of their people are changing because of the ways they are shaped by the climates of access, diversity, and acceleration.
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As leaders, however, we can’t successfully drive shareholder value and organizational purpose if we haven’t first found personal meaning in purpose that’s outside of ourselves. Our purpose easily can center on ourselves—getting what we want, how we want it, and when we want it. A narcissist has purpose. But true meaning only comes from serving a purpose that’s outwardly focused. A selfish personal purpose will never lead to a selfless organizational purpose.
[…]
Many of my epiphanies came during the crucible of crisis, but it was a time steeped in reflection and prayer as I searched for answers. Some of those answers were found in two of the most influential books I’ve read in my life— Halftime by Bob Buford and The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren. Both took me out of the realm of myself and into the realm of others and how I could help them. In doing so, they helped me create more meaning in my life and helped me get out of my own way.
Warren points out that, “The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve.” And, to be clear, he’s talking about serving others. That, in fact, is how we discover our true purpose in life. “The search for the purpose of life has puzzled people for thousands of years,” Warren writes. “That’s because we typically begin at the wrong starting point—ourselves. We ask self-centered questions like ‘What do I want to be? What do I want to do with my life? What are my goals, my ambitions, my dreams for my future?’ But focusing on ourselves will never reveal our life’s purpose.”
When our purpose includes serving others, we find meaning in their accomplishments. As Buford put it, “My fruit grows on other people’s trees.” That’s the fruit of significance, which is far more valuable than success. “Success means using your knowledge and experience to satisfy yourself,” Buford said. “Significance means using your knowledge and experience to change the lives of others.”
That’s the type of transfluent purpose I seek for my life.
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Adapted and reprinted with permission from Transfluence: How to Lead with Transformative Influence in Today’s Climates of Change by Walt Rakowich, copyright ©2020. Published by Post Hill Press, distributed by Simon & Schuster.
Lead with Transformative Influence
Transfluence shows leaders how they can have transformative influence by overcoming their fears and pride, building transparency into their leadership, developing a strong core of authentic values, and passionately pursuing a meaningful purpose.
Available Now.
Mario Tamasi
Happy Holidays Walt! Hope you are doing great! I enjoy your emails and need to read Transfluence! All the best to you!