PURPOSE

'Far and away the best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.'  

- Theodore Roosevelt  

To have great purpose – finding work that is worthwhile and being given the chance to work hard in its execution – is a gift like no other.  I am privileged to have worked in roles with such incredible links to global commerce, to human health, to the enablement of so many others to earn a living, that I can often lose sight of the good fortune I have.  I am fortunate to be a person who works hard at work worth doing – and I will remember that.

'The entrepreneur searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity.'  

- Peter Drucker  

Our sense of purpose must always be an intentional act; it cannot be a purpose which is thrust upon us, but rather one which we intrinsically seek out and see the opportunity within.  I will strive to lead a team of naturally curious individuals, focused upon a core purpose rooted in the tenets of entrepreneurship, and never slackening in our desire to find and exploit change.

'It was taken for granted that we had to make something of ourselves.  Not much was said about it; it was just in the atmosphere of the home.'  

- Thurgood Marshall  

That same sense of purpose may require intentionality, but its impetus must be intrinsic to each of us.  Creating in another a desire for purposeful work and focused direction is not a task with a strong return on investment; rather, I will seek to surround myself with individuals who are innately driven to find purpose and to create achievement – this is at the core of my talent selection approach.

'When you’re surrounded by people who share a passionate commitment around a common purpose, anything is possible.'  

- Howard Schultz  

The ultimate power of a shared purpose is the ability to unite efforts, and to create breakthrough outcomes from the multiplicative efforts of many individuals.  I will create teams which endeavor to share this passionate commitment around their common purpose, and which will be intolerant of those who are not appropriately aligned as well as those who are not adequately engaged – the team deserves this.

'Regard it as just as desirable to build a chicken house as to build a cathedral.'  

- Frank Lloyd Wright  

Business is often populated by the mundane and the ordinary tasks, and it can necessitate substantial discipline to remain focused upon one's purpose.  I will seek to create a team in which every member will embrace the disciplined purpose of the seemingly mundane – after all, usefulness should never be confused with loftiness.  A business serves its clients, who in turn serve their employees or their communities.  Few purposes are greater than this.

'The best time to repair the roof is when the sun is shining.'  

- John F. Kennedy  

Our circumstances must never define or moot our aims.  Our purpose, and our objectives, are universal, and while situational factors will always influence the targets, I will remain a leader with a long view, and one who yearns to grow and to improve.

'Rank does not confer privilege nor give power.  It imposes responsibility.'  

- Peter Drucker  

The term ‘servant leader’ has become so buzzwordy in recent years as to have lost its true meaning and value, but the principle that a leader is not anointed as much as burdened is one which is core to my beliefs.  Every member of a team has placed their trust and confidence in their leadership – at every level - and it is the purpose of those leaders to act in the best interests of the firm, not in service of their own interests.  I will be ruthless in my expectations of leaders – for they set the purpose for the organization.

'He has a right to criticize, who has a heart to help.'  

- Abraham Lincoln  

Critique and criticism are inherent to my desire to improve and grow; they are intrinsic to the culture of teams I have led, and I have sought to surround myself with those with thick skins and a desire for this enrichment.  I will always be mindful of the relationship between criticism and compassion in both my receipt and dispensation of the former, as well as demonstration of the latter, and will ensure that all leaders around me do the same.

'Big jobs usually go to the men who prove their ability to outgrow small ones.'  

- Theodore Roosevelt  

Purpose may evolve, and it is likely to do so in a way which reflects the direction of the individual.  Escalating responsibility is reflective of proof of excellence, and I will seek to lead teams which ask more of those who have shown the ability to bear it.  I will note these evolutions and create a team which embraces new responsibility and purpose.

'Clock watchers never seem to be having a good time.'  

- James C. Penney  

Purpose gives meaning to our work and creates joy within it – few people have ever been compelled to endure that which has noble aim or engaging action.  I embrace my work, defining my value not by the time I expend in pursuit of my goals, but by the purpose and value that time creates.

'Man who invented the hamburger was smart.  Man who invented the cheeseburger was a genius.'  

- Matthew McConaughey  

It can be easy – and tempting – to allow adequacy to define one's purpose, but we must never lose sight of the fact that our goal is to find greatness, not simply adequacy.  Greatness may come in many forms, and may not initially seem lofty, exceptional, or dazzling – but like the simple addition of a slice of cheese to a hamburger, greatness is undeniable.  I will be a leader who inspires others to seek greatness in all that they do, even in the mundane, and to execute with enthusiasm in the service of that exceptionalism.