Almost every business entity has an eloquently crafted purpose statement. Some are terse while others may extend over a few sentences or paragraphs. Purpose statements (also used interchangeably with “mission statements”) guide the decisions a business makes so that its actions are congruent with its core values and moral underpinnings. They clearly communicate why the business exists.
Here are some great examples:
Compass Children’s Homes – give young people the opportunity to encounter normal, ordinary experiences in order to provide them with the building blocks to reach developmental milestones needed for everyday life.
Apple – to bring the best user experience to its customers through innovative hardware, software, and services.
Adidas – To be the best sports brand in the world. Every day, we come to work to create and sell the best sports products in the world, and to offer the best service and consumer experience – and to do it all in a sustainable way.
Target – To make Target the preferred shopping destination for our guests by delivering outstanding value, continuous innovation and exceptional guest experience by consistently fulfilling our Expect More. Pay Less. Brand Promise.
Home Depot – To provide the highest level of service, the broadest selection of products and the most competitive prices.
CBV-360 – To be a guiding light for the present, but also for the future—where the improbable, becomes probable! We believe that this can be achieved by maximizing human potential through Leadership.
Even as individuals our purpose should do the same for us and help answer one of the most fundamental questions – why am I here?
What’s our purpose?
In a nutshell, we all have the following generic purpose that consists of four fundamental, but symbiotic aspects:
Our purpose is to serve so as to create a positive impact (betterment) for others and ourselves.
First and foremost, our purpose is to serve not to be withheld, hidden or lay dormant. We have an obligation to be a doer, participator, contributor, motivator, supporter, follower or leader. Whichever fits you best, “serving” or “service” is the cornerstone of fulfilling your purpose.
Second, our purpose is to create a positive impact (betterment) and this can be directly or indirectly. We must be seeking to do good as we serve.
Third, your service is outwardly focused on others (directly) and then to ourselves (indirectly). In other words, our purpose is never self-serving or narcissistic. We serve others and in doing so, we accrue benefits as a byproduct of our service—not directly. Therefore, if we do something with the expressed intent or expectation of obtaining a commensurate reward or benefit, that act is not congruent with our purpose—that’s a job or business transaction.
For maximum impact, Our purpose needs to be seen as existing at a much higher level—well beyond the context of any financial or work transaction undertaken.