The Purpose of Purpose

Nov 19, 2024

What if you keep the players and the rules but change the purpose – from winning to losing, for example? What if the function of a tree were not to survive and reproduce but to capture all the nutrients in the soil and grow to unlimited size?
People have imagined many purposes for a university beside disseminating knowledge – making money, indoctrinating people, winning football games.
A change in purpose changes a system profoundly, even if every element and interconnection remains the same.
Donella H. Meadows – Thinking in System

It can be quite challenging to create a clear, short and inspiring purpose statement. So in this article, I’ll share with you a simple 2-part formula for creating / sharpening your purpose.

But why do we even need a purpose?

A company’s purpose impacts a wide range of essential areas of a business, particularly these two:

  1. Direction → A purpose helps define the essence of what the company does. Defining this makes the day-to-day decision-making much easier.
  2. Inspiration → A purpose is like a magnet. It leads to action and momentum.

Here’s the simple formula for your purpose statement:

To help [your customer] achieve [result].

With this one sentence, you clearly define who your customer is and what key benefit you want them to experience.

What purpose is not:

An abstract marketing slogan. While a purpose is inspiring, it doesn’t contain any grandiose terms that are devoid of meaning.

The company purpose is practical. It helps you be clear on your why and with making decisions on your day to day.

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