Aligning Professional Roles with Purpose

The best career advice isn't about titles or companies. It's about purpose. I've mentored hundreds of professionals over the years, and I've noticed a pattern among those who maintain both success and satisfaction: They never attach themselves to: • A person • A place • A company • An organization • A project Instead, they attach themselves to: • A mission • A calling • A purpose #yourmission #yourvoice #yourbrand Here's why this matters: People change. Companies restructure. Projects end. But purpose? That's the constant that guides you through every career decision. When your identity is tied to your employer or role, you become vulnerable when those external factors shift. And they always do. Those who anchor to purpose maintain their power and peace even during upheaval. #innovation I learned this lesson the hard way. Early in my career, I built my identity around being at a prestigious firm. When that relationship changed, I felt lost. It took rebuilding my professional framework around reducing inequality – my true purpose – to regain clarity and direction. Now when I evaluate opportunities, I ask: "Does this align with my purpose?" rather than "Is this a good title or company?" #inspiration The practical difference: Purpose-driven professionals: • Make decisions with clear criteria • Recover faster from setbacks • Find meaning across different roles • Adapt to change without losing themselves • Maintain inner peace during turbulence #motivation Your career will span decades and multiple changes. The only constant will be you and what drives you. I’m Jason Thian. What's the mission that would guide your decisions even if everything else changed tomorrow? Your answer to that question might be the most valuable career asset you'll ever develop.

'Follow your passion!' they said. 🎯 Worst. Career. Advice. Ever. Here's what actually works: I've reviewed thousands of careers over the past decade.  The happiest professionals?  They didn't 'follow their passion.' They built their purpose. ❌ THE PASSION TRAP: Passion is a feeling. Feelings fade. • Love photography? Wait until you're shooting toothpaste products at 3am • Passionate about writing? Try cranking out 10 SEO posts daily on plumbing fixtures • Dream of helping people? Even social workers have mountains of paperwork The passion-first mindset ignores reality: → Bills don't care about your dreams → Passion without skill = frustration → Excitement without market demand = unemployment ✅ THE PURPOSE FRAMEWORK: Stop asking: 'What am I passionate about?' Start asking these 4 questions: 1️⃣ WHAT SKILLS DO I HAVE THAT CREATE VALUE? • What comes easier to you than others? • What would colleagues miss if you left? 2️⃣ WHAT PROBLEMS ENERGIZE ME? • What inefficiencies drive you crazy? • What challenges feel worth tackling? 3️⃣ WHO DO I WANT AROUND ME? • Fast-paced innovators or steady builders? • Small tight teams or large diverse groups? 4️⃣ WHAT LIFE AM I BUILDING? • 70-hour sprints or work-life integration? • High risk/reward or steady progression? 💡 PURPOSE LOOKS LIKE THIS: 'I use my analytical skills to help healthcare companies make data-driven decisions that improve patient outcomes.' 'I leverage my design talent to help small businesses look professional and compete with bigger brands.' Notice what's missing? Butterflies. Rainbows. 'Never working a day in your life.' Notice what's present? Clarity. Direction. Sustainable satisfaction. 📊 THE REALITY CHECK: Purpose-driven professionals: • Stay 3x longer in roles • Report higher life satisfaction • Build transferable skills Passion-driven professionals: • Burn out when excitement fades • Job-hop seeking the 'perfect fit' • Miss skill-building opportunities 🎯 BUILD YOUR PURPOSE STATEMENT: 'I'm using my skills in [X] to help [Y people/companies] solve [Z problem].' That's it. No drama. No destiny. Just direction. ⚡ THE DAILY TEST: Purpose isn't about loving every moment. It's about knowing WHY you're doing the boring stuff. • That spreadsheet? It helps your team make better decisions • That difficult client? You're solving real problems • That early morning? You're building something meaningful Passion says: 'This should feel amazing!' Purpose says: 'This feels worthwhile.' One sets you up for disappointment. The other sustains you through decades. Build a purpose-driven career with the right tools → https://lnkd.in/eGbtuACr #CareerPurpose #CareerAdvice #JobSearch #CareerDevelopment #ProfessionalGrowth #WorkLifeBalance #JobSeekers 👍 To let me know purpose beats passion. ♻️ Reshare to help someone stop chasing butterflies. 🔔 Follow me for more job search & resume tips.

Maybe You're Not Failing—Maybe You're in the Wrong Race Have you ever watched a fish on land? It flops, twists, and fights—moving frantically but getting nowhere. Not because it lacks effort but because it was never meant to be there. But how often do we forget this simple truth in our careers? I've seen it happen countless times—brilliant professionals struggling in roles that don't align with their strengths. It's not because they lack talent or drive. It's because they're being asked to run when they were born to swim. As project managers, we are responsible for ensuring our teams are set up for success. That means understanding each individual's unique skills and placing them in roles where they can thrive. But this isn't just about our teams—it's about us, too. Have you ever felt out of place in your career? Like you were working harder than ever but still falling short? That's often a sign of misalignment, not inadequacy. When this happens, we have two choices: 1- Reskill ourselves or our teams to meet the demands of the role. 2- Or, seek opportunities that better align with our natural strengths. Both paths require courage. Both paths require self-awareness. And both paths lead to growth. I've learned that success isn't just about effort—it's about being in the right place, with the right skills and the right support. It's about finding your water. So, take a moment to think. - Are you swimming where you belong? - Are your skills aligned with your role? - If not, what will you do next? Let's create spaces where everyone can thrive. Let's ensure every fish gets to swim, not run. Found this helpful? Repost to share, and follow Jesus Romero for more insights.

Is Company Purpose Shaping Your Career Decisions?   🤔 Imagine this:   Every time you logged into your computer, browsed the web, or used your phone, you were protected by a company whose sole mission was safeguarding your online presence - whenever, wherever or however you connected, your “Digital life, secured”. As CFO of a disruptive cybersecurity firm, this was our daily focus.   Fast forward a few years, I’m working with a team dedicated to ending the cycle of water, food and energy poverty - a purpose that drives real-world impact in some of the most critical areas of human need.   💡 So, here’s the question:   When considering your next career move, how much weight do you place on a company’s purpose?   Is it just a job, or do you look for a role where you’re part of something bigger?   In today’s dynamic job market, purpose has become a game-changer. It's not just about profitability - it’s about meaning. Studies show that more than half of job seekers would walk away from an offer if they didn’t connect with the company’s mission and values. This trend is undeniable: professionals today are driven by impact, not just income.   🚀 From my experience, a strong purpose transforms organisations. It fuels higher employee engagement, boosts performance, and fosters long-term loyalty. When your goals align with your company's, it’s more than just a job - it’s a mission. Companies with a clear purpose often outperform their competitors, achieving consistent growth and success.   So, as you explore new opportunities or reconsider your current role, ask yourself: Does this company’s purpose align with my values? Does it inspire me to make a difference?   I’d love to hear your thoughts. How important is a company's purpose in your career decisions? Let’s continue this conversation in the comments.   #CareerGrowth #Leadership #PurposeDriven #CompanyCulture #MissionDriven #CFOInsights

🚀 Is it time for a career pivot? Here's how to navigate the shift with clarity and confidence. Making a major career change can feel daunting, especially later in life. But what if I told you that this could be the most exhilarating chapter in your professional journey? I've been there. Transitioning from Managing Director of Cooper Professional Education to launching my own venture, Brazen Coaching & Consulting, I leaned heavily on understanding my values, purpose, and vision. These weren't just guideposts; they were my anchors in a sea of uncertainty, helping me define and stay true to what I wanted to create in the world. For many of my clients contemplating career shifts, gaining clarity on who they are has been equally transformative. It's calming, it clears the path, and it injects energy into their next steps. 🌟 Career change later in life isn't just an adjustment; it's a gift. It's your chance to harness all your accumulated wisdom and channel it into something that truly resonates with you. Whether this change is by choice or circumstance, the first step isn't diving into job listings—it's diving deep into your personal values and career aspirations. Here’s what you can do to ensure your next move is as purposeful as it is powerful: ▫ Reflect deeply on your personal values and what drives you. ▫ Use this understanding to strategically guide your networking, company selection, and partnership opportunities. Ready to pivot with purpose? If you’re contemplating a shift and need guidance on how to align it with your true self, let's connect. I can help you navigate this exciting transition with confidence and strategic insight. 🔗 Reach out to explore more about how values-driven career planning can make your next move not just a change, but a leap forward.

𝙁𝙧𝙤𝙢 𝘾𝙤𝙧𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝘾𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙍𝙤𝙧𝙮 𝙑𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙚𝙩𝙩 I had a fascinating conversation with Rory Verrett on 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 that I'm still reflecting on days later. Rory shared something profound about career transitions that I believe many of us miss: the greatest attribute you can have in your career, he said, isn't a stellar network or an Ivy League degree. It's self-awareness. This resonated deeply with me. How many of us truly understand our natural tendencies? Are you a steward who excels at managing established systems? Maybe a reformer who makes incremental improvements? Are you a disruptor who thrives on breaking new ground? For many of us, Rory's insight about entrepreneurship versus corporate life challenges our thinking. We often assume corporate careers are "safer" than entrepreneurship, but is that really true? As Rory pointed out, in corporate settings, countless factors remain outside your control, from technology disruption to management changes to market shifts. His framework for assessing value alignment in your career is helpful: • Meta values: If your organization succeeds wildly, is the world better? • Institutional values: How does your organization operate within its industry? • Micro values: What kind of people are your boss and teammates? If you're missing alignment in two or more of these areas, it might be time to consider a transition. For those contemplating such a move, Rory has created The Career Transition Blueprint, an online academy that just launched on April 7th. It's designed to help professionals navigate career disruptions with clarity and purpose. Rory reminds us that career transitions aren't just about changing jobs or roles. They're about aligning your work with your deepest values and natural tendencies. What career transition are you contemplating? How's your self-awareness quotient helping or holding you back? You can find this show on your favorite podcast app or by following this link: https://lnkd.in/e7nt47j9. #careers #careertransition #entrepreneurship #pricevaluejourney ______________________ I'm a business consultant and executive coach, working with service providers, such as attorneys, accountants, coaches, and consultants, who sell their expertise. I help them conquer their most vexing problems, which usually revolve around how to land more clients at better pricing. If you like this post, you might enjoy my LinkedIn newsletter, "The Price and Value Journey," where I cover these issues in detail: https://lnkd.in/eHZPFsbk. You might also be interested in my book, 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘎𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴𝘦𝘵: 𝘈 𝘑𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘯𝘦𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘉𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘚𝘶𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘣𝘺 𝘙𝘢𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘠𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘝𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘦𝘴. To learn more and to order, go to https://lnkd.in/e3H-adMA.

At a recent industry session my mind was filled with ideas and insight...here's what I'd like to share! 𝐄𝐧𝐠𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞: 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 As demographics shift, technology evolves, and workplace culture transforms, one constant remains: the profound impact of purpose. When employees understand their purpose and see how their work contributes to it, engagement soars, belonging deepens, and teams thrive. At Unilever, Anser Ali and his team have been running a purpose-driven program for 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. What they've learned is simple but powerful: 𝑷𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒑𝒖𝒓𝒑𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒗𝒆. The program helps employees explore their "why" and align it with their work, creating deeper engagement and fulfillment. 🤔So, how do you create purpose-driven cultures where employees feel like they truly belong? ✔️1. Create Space for Purpose Exploration: Invest in workshops, coaching, or reflective sessions that help employees connect with their "why." Purpose shouldn’t be an afterthought—it should be part of the workplace DNA. ✔️2. Align Roles with Personal Purpose: Help employees see how their work connects to what matters most to them. This might mean rethinking goals, projects, or even roles to better align with their sense of meaning. ✔️ 3. Foster a Culture of Belonging: Purpose drives belonging. When employees see how their contributions align with the company’s mission, they feel valued. Share stories that connect individual efforts to the bigger picture. ✔️ 4. Embrace Purposeful Attrition: It’s okay if some employees leave after discovering their purpose doesn’t align with your organization’s mission. Purposeful attrition often leads to stronger engagement and productivity across the team. ✔️ 5. Adapt to Changing Demographics: Younger generations are increasingly purpose-driven. Programs should evolve to reflect their values and leverage technology to make learning and reflection accessible and engaging. ✔️ 6. Build Belonging Through Daily Practices: Celebrate employees’ strengths and unique contributions. Foster open, psychologically safe conversations about dreams and challenges. Be like Anser and 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐞𝐱𝐚𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞—share your own purpose journey to inspire others. Purpose isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the foundation of engagement and belonging. As Simon Sinek reminds us, “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.” The same is true for your employees: They don’t just show up for a paycheck; they want to know their work matters. 𝐁𝐲 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐮𝐫𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐞-𝐝𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐬, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐠𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐝, 𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐚𝐥 & 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞. 📌 Want more content like this? Follow me Andrew Calvert, PCC Follow Serendipity Engine

We've all been there - myself included - when our job leaves us sick, scared, and looking for an exit. At the time, the weight of my confusion felt draining, my stress levels felt paralyzing, and nothing seemed to ignite even the faintest degree of passion in me. But even in these moments where we feel stuck, how often do we pause and deeply assess WHY? What I wish that someone had told me at that time was that the key to re-evaluating my career path was in understanding my own inner motivations and aligning them with my own actions. If this resonates, I want to share a strategy to help you understand your discontent and aspiration through my recent blog post titled "Using the 5 Whys to Re-Evaluate Your Career Path." The 5 Whys is a powerful tool borrowed from problem-solving methodologies, perfect for mission-driven professionals who are looking to find their next steps. This exercise will push you to go beyond the superficial and reach the root cause of your feelings. Here's a brief glimpse from one of my recent coaching conversations as an example: 1. WHY are you unhappy with your job? “I don’t feel engaged.” 2. WHY don’t you feel engaged? “Tasks are repetitive and don't challenge me.” 3. WHY do you want to be challenged? “It makes me feel like I’m growing and contributing.” 4. WHY is growth and contribution important to you? “They give me a sense of purpose and achievement.” 5. WHY do you need a purpose in your job? “I want my work to align with my personal values and passions.” From a vague sense of unhappiness to an eye-opening realization about alignment and values, this reflective process can be transformative. Once you've uncovered your core values through the 5 Whys, then it’s time to realign. Maybe it's autonomy or creativity that drives you. Or maybe your motivations lie in social impact. How can your career best cater to these values? Remember: your professional journey is not just about 'doing' but understanding 'why you do it'. In thinking about your own next steps, consider Steve Jobs’ advice: "The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle." 📌 Check out the full blog post for more insights: https://lnkd.in/eHJDUqDc Not sure how to use this exercise to reflect and realign? 📞I’d love to connect with you further on a complimentary call: https://lnkd.in/dZJ2Agzq Interested in other free career insights and job search advice?  📩 Subscribe here to my weekly newsletter: www.ki-coaching.com #CareerCoaching #5Whys #CareerChange #FindYourPurpose #SelfDiscovery #CareerCoach #FindYourWhy #FindYourWhy

73% of professionals feel unfulfilled in their current roles. I was one of them—until I discovered the power of Ikigai. In 2010, I faced a defining moment. After being laid off during the global financial crisis, I realized my career had been a series of reactive choices. That’s when I discovered Ikigai, the Japanese framework for finding purpose. But here’s the thing: discovering your Ikigai isn’t just about answering four questions. It’s a structured process that requires introspection, experimentation, and clarity. Answers to these questions helped me, ➤ What do you love? ➤ What are you good at? ➤ What does the world need? ➤ What can you get paid for? Through this structured process,  I realized my Ikigai: mentoring others to achieve career clarity. Today, I do this through EffectvMentor, where I help professionals uncover their potential and align it with market needs. Career growth isn’t just about promotions or titles. It’s about aligning your strengths, passions, and value to create meaningful impact. If you’re feeling stuck, here’s my advice: Commit to exploring these four areas over the next 30 days. Take small, tangible steps: reach out to mentors, experiment with new roles, or reflect deeply on past achievements. Ikigai is a journey, not a quick fix. But with the right guidance, it’s transformational. #Ikigai #CareerClarity #PurposeDrivenGrowth

I’ve met countless professionals who stayed in roles that drained them...not because the work was fulfilling, but because leaving felt like admitting defeat. The mindset was: “If I walk away, people will think I couldn’t handle it.” So, they stayed. Even when the role was unaligned with their strengths. Even when they felt undervalued, underappreciated, and stuck. Here’s the irony: many of us end up spending enormous amounts of energy proving we can succeed in jobs we don’t even want. From a strategic standpoint, that doesn’t add up. What if, instead, that same energy went into identifying the roles that align with your values, your leadership strengths, and the impact you want to make? That shift changes everything. ➡️ You move from surviving to thriving. ➡️ You rebuild confidence in your career identity. ➡️ You create momentum toward opportunities that energize, not deplete, you. Staying in a misaligned role doesn’t prove competence. It only delays growth. Redirecting your focus toward aligned opportunities? That’s where leadership truly flourishes.