Purpose Driven Work: How to Find It, Manage It, and Lead It.

Why Purpose Matters More Than Ever

“Purpose driven work” is no longer just business jargon—it’s become a critical component of organizational success. From boardrooms to breakrooms, more companies are asking: Why do we do what we do?

Employees and customers alike care more than ever about working for—and buying from—companies that lead with purpose. They’re not just looking for products or paychecks. They’re looking for meaning, alignment, and connection.

This post explores how you can find, manage, and lead purpose driven work—for yourself, your team, and your organization. And why, in a world of constant change, purpose may be the most powerful stabilizer we have.

The Challenge of Writing About Purpose

“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.” – Nietzsche

Writing about purpose is hard—because purpose itself is deeply personal. It’s not a formula. It’s a feeling. And it’s often tangled up in our own stories, struggles, and aspirations.

In truth, this article began as a marketing tool to improve our website’s SEO. But that felt hollow. As I dug deeper into the “why,” I rediscovered the real reason: Purpose driven work matters—to me, our team, and the clients we serve.

It’s not just about visibility. It’s about vulnerability. It’s about showing up with intention and inviting others to do the same.

Using the Five Whys to Uncover Deeper Purpose

One of the most powerful tools we use in leadership development is the Five Whys exercise. It comes from process improvement methods like Lean, Six Sigma, and Total Quality Management—but its emotional depth is often underestimated.

Here’s my personal Five Whys on writing this post:

• Why is it important to write about purpose driven work?
  To improve our SEO.

• Why is that important?
  To attract more business.

• Why is that important?
  To better compensate our team.

• Why is that important?
  Because it acknowledges the value and sacrifice in our work.

• Why is that important?
  Because when we feel valued, we engage more deeply.

That last answer is the heartbeat of it all. Purpose fuels engagement, and sustained engagement requires purpose. This applies to individuals and organizations alike.

The Role of Purpose in Business and Leadership

Businesses, like people, need to feel they matter. Leadership development, team building, and corporate values are all rooted in one central idea: doing work that means something.

Customers don’t just want great products—they want to support brands that align with their values. Employees don’t just want a paycheck—they want meaningful contribution, recognition, and connection.

That’s why purpose driven leadership isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. It’s the difference between a company that survives and one that thrives. Between a team that shows up and one that leans in.

Purpose is the invisible thread that ties together strategy, culture, and impact.

Purpose Isn’t Just for “Noble” Jobs

We often associate purpose with altruistic professions: doctors, teachers, first responders. But we overlook how purpose driven work exists in all roles—from plumbers to programmers, baristas to brand strategists.

The truth is:

• ✅ Purpose can be found in any job
• ✅ Purpose is about perspective
• ✅ Purpose isn’t what you do—it’s how you relate to what you do

When someone feels their work matters, it transforms their engagement—and often, their results. A janitor who sees their role as creating a safe, clean space for others is doing purpose driven work. A coder who believes their app helps people connect more meaningfully is doing purpose driven work.

It’s not about prestige. It’s about presence.

Drive and Discipline: The Engines of Purpose

You can’t be purpose driven without… drive. And drive requires discipline.

In our teambuilding and leadership programs, we ask:

• What fuels your best effort?
• What happens when it gets hard?
• What inspires you to keep going?

“It’s hard to do anything good on a lousy mood.” – Todd Demorest

That’s why we promote not just a Return on Investment, but a Return on Inspiration. Inspiration drives investment—of time, effort, and care. And when people are inspired, they show up differently. They lead differently. They live differently.

Purpose isn’t passive. It’s a practice.

Bridging the Human Gap in Modern Work

The journey from craft to corporate to digital has added layers of distance between people and purpose. But the need for purpose hasn’t disappeared—it’s just harder to see through the servers and systems.

We’re not baking bread for a neighbor anymore—we’re managing projects for clients we’ll never meet. That doesn’t mean the purpose is gone. It just means we need to rediscover it on purpose.

We need to ask:

• Who benefits from this work?
• What impact does it create?
• How can we reconnect to the human side of our roles?

Purpose is the antidote to burnout, disconnection, and disengagement. It’s the bridge back to meaning.

How Leaders Can Foster Purpose Driven Work

If you're in a leadership position, here’s how you can cultivate purpose in your team:

• Model the Why
  Share your purpose openly and honestly. Let people see what drives you.

• Ask Meaningful Questions
  Use tools like the Five Whys to uncover motivation. Go beyond surface-level goals.

• Celebrate Contribution
  Recognition reinforces that work matters. Celebrate effort, not just outcomes.

• Link Work to Impact
  Help people see the difference they’re making—internally and externally.

• Create Space for Reflection
  Purpose needs time and attention to grow. Build in moments to pause and reflect.

Leadership isn’t just about direction—it’s about connection. And purpose is the compass.

The Pursuit of Purpose Is the Point

You may not have all the answers. You may feel mediocre at times. That’s okay. The pursuit of purpose is often more important than arriving at a final destination.

Purpose isn’t a finish line—it’s a fuel source. It’s what keeps us going when the terrain gets steep. It’s what helps us rise after setbacks. It’s what makes the work worth doing.

If you’re still reading this, thank you. You’ve given your time, and I hope you found value in return. That’s the kind of transaction I want more of in life and in work—not just profitable, but purposeful.

Call to Action: Build Purpose Into Your Culture

If you’re looking to build a more purpose driven team, enhance employee engagement, or create a meaningful leadership development experience, we can help.

At Odyssey Teams, we design experiences that give people:

• Something to do
• Something to feel
• Something to think about

Let’s build something that matters—together.

Bill John
Co-Founder, Odyssey Teams