The Power of Purpose

By Pascal Dennis (bio)

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you know why." Craig Forman

Great piece on the Power of Purpose.

Nothing beats it - not talent, courage or luck.

Talent & courage, exercised in the wrong direction, are aimless.

(At worst, they can be destructive. Who needs a talented, courageous terrorist?)

And Luck generally evens out in the long term.

But Purpose is Polaris, the star by which we navigate, which forever pulls us forward.

Some people are lucky enough to know their life's purpose very young.

(My late father-on-law, the great Dr. Robert Guselle, knew at the age of five that he'd be a physician.)

Others have happy epiphanies, like Starbuck's CEO, Howard Shultz. "I'm going to bring European coffee culture to the world!"

Most of us struggle though, and when we figure it out, it's a happy day indeed.

The same applies, of course, to organizations.

Defining Purpose remains the senior leader's Job One, (followed by "What do we believe in?").

What's your Organization's Purpose?

Best regards,

Pascal



In case you missed our last few blogs... please feel free to have another look…

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The Power of Purpose + Homework Contest

HOMEWORK CONTEST - TOP THREE DRAWINGS WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF PASCAL'S LATEST BOOK! (Details below)

By Pascal Dennis

"The two most important days in your life are the day you are born, and the day you know why." Craig Forman

Great piece on the Power of Purpose.

Nothing beats it - not talent, courage or luck.

Talent & courage, exercised in the wrong direction, are aimless.

(At worst, they can be destructive. Who needs a talented, courageous terrorist?)

And Luck generally evens out in the long term.

But Purpose is Polaris, the star by which we navigate, which forever pulls us forward.

Some people are lucky enough to know their life's purpose very young.

(My late father-on-law, the great Dr. Robert Guselle, knew at the age of five that he'd be a physician.)

Others have happy epiphanies, like Starbuck's CEO, Howard Shultz. "I'm going to bring European coffee culture to the world!"

Most of us struggle though, and when we figure it out, it's a happy day indeed.

The same applies, of course, to organizations.

Defining Purpose remains the senior leader's Job One, (followed by "What do we believe in?").

So here's a homework challenge for you all:

What's your Organization's Purpose?

You know the drill. Have fun! Don't worry if you 'can't draw'.

Stick figures, arrows, circles are fine.

Please send your efforts to Holly Simmons at holly.simmons@leansystems.org

Deadline: May 11

Top three drawings will receive a free copy of Pascal's latest book.

Let's see what happens!

Best regards,

Pascal

Pascal Dennis Bio

LPI Leadership & Ethics Series - What is Courage? (Homework Contest)

By Pascal Dennis

HOMEWORK CONTEST - TOP THREE DRAWINGS WILL RECEIVE A FREE COPY OF PASCAL'S LATEST BOOK! (Details below)

In our recent Leadership & Ethics blog, I introduced the Cardinal Virtues.

Prudence, Temperance, Justice & Courage are enduring standards of ethical behavior recognized by all major religions & systems of philosophy.

Today I'd like to give you all some homework.

HOMEWORK CONTEST!

Here's your assignment.

Draw a picture in answer of the following:

What is Courage?

Have fun! Don't worry if you 'can't draw'.

Stick figures, arrows, circles are fine.

Please send your efforts to Holly Simmons at holly.simmons@leansystems.org

Deadline: January 31

Top three drawings will receive a free copy of Pascal's latest book.

Let's see what happens!

Best,

Pascal

Homework Contest Winners!

By Pascal Dennis

Last month we held our first Lean Pathways Homework Contest.

The assignment was to draw a picture/doodle of the following:

Each team member, team, department and/or site in my zone of control are working with energy & commitment toward a shared goal.

As our regular readers will know, we strongly believe in drawing out complex ideas.

Translating a complex concept thus, helps us lock it in & make it our own.

Brain imaging shows that when we doodle thus, our entire brain lights up like a Christmas tree! We encourage you to practice.

Anyhow, our contest had an excellent response.

From Vishal M.

From Paul S.

From Lorna P.

From Michal R.

I'm pleased to announce that there are four winners - their drawings are attached, in no particular order. (Nice work.)

Our winners will all receive a signed copy of Reflections of a Business Nomad, yours truly's latest book.

Thanks to all who participated. If you didn't win this time, not to worry.

This was fun & we'll do it again.

Best regards,

Pascal