Monday morning launch
After barely catching our breath after an all too short weekend and our daily whirlwind of meetings, emails, and urgent tasks, it's crucial to pause and reflect on whether we're truly heading in the right direction. As leaders, it's too easy to get caught up in the urgent, often at the expense of the important. Our days can become a blur of secondary tasks, overshadowing our primary priorities.
Pause to Consider
What's Your TrueNorth?
Every effective leader needs a TrueNorth—an internal compass that guides decisions, actions, and priorities regardless of the challenges that arise. Your TrueNorth consists of three essential elements: vision, mission, and values.
Your vision articulates where you're going—that horizon you're steadily moving toward. It's forward-looking and aspirational, painting a picture of what success looks like. A compelling vision statement doesn't just describe what you want to achieve; it inspires others to join you.
Your mission answers the fundamental question of why you exist as a leader. It integrates your values into actionable purposes. When clearly articulated, your mission becomes the filter through which you evaluate opportunities and make decisions.
Your values are the bedrock upon which your vision and mission stand. They are the unwavering principles that guide your leadership in every situation. When your values are crystal clear, even the most challenging decisions become straightforward, providing a sense of reassurance and confidence in your leadership.
The Power of Recalibration
I recently had the privilege of coaching Tamera, a senior executive transitioning into a cross-functional leadership role. Despite her success in sales and business development, she struggled to clarify her purpose in this new position.
"I feel like I'm drifting," she confessed during our session. "I know what needs to be done operationally, but I'm not sure why I'm the one who should be doing it."
We began by drafting her personal leadership mission. After several iterations, she said, "Build a better business for our people, benefit our community, and have fun." This wasn't just a collection of words but a declaration of purpose that aligned with her authentic voice and deepest values. Every phrase is 'double-clickable.' Each component contains a depth that you can expand upon when necessary.
A remarkable transformation took place as we delved deeper into refining her vision and values. Tamera's initial uncertainty gave way to a newfound sense of conviction and clarity, a powerful testament to the transformative power of clarity in leadership.
"This gives me language for what I've always believed but couldn't articulate," she said. "Now I can see how my new role connects to what matters most."
The transformation didn't stop there. With her TrueNorth established, we turned to her team restructuring plans. Previously, these had felt like mechanical organizational moves. They became strategic steps toward fulfilling her vision of creating career paths and developing future leaders.
Her approach to addressing high turnover also shifted. Rather than treating it as merely a problem to solve, she now saw it as an opportunity to build a workplace where people could thrive and grow—directly fulfilling her mission of "building a better business for our people."
Your Invitation to Clarity
Leadership without clarity is merely self-management. Authentic leadership is the first step in self-leadership beginning with knowing your destination and why it matters.
I invite you into your reflection process:
What is the horizon you're moving toward? What does success look like in 3-5 years?
Why do you do what you do? What purpose gives meaning to your work?
What are the non-negotiable principles that guide your decisions?
Write these down. Refine them. Test them with trusted colleagues. And most importantly, return to them regularly to ensure you're staying true to your course.
Like Tamera, you may find that this clarity transforms your leadership and renews your energy and passion for the work ahead.
Ready to find your TrueNorth? Download our complimentary TrueNorth Resource Guide to begin your journey toward purposeful leadership. This practical workbook will help you craft your vision, mission, and values statements and integrate them into your daily leadership practice.