Embedding Purpose at Every Level
- What values guide your daily decisions and are reflected in your actions?
- How does your current academic or professional path contribute to the common good?
- What legacy do you want to leave, and how can you start building it now?
Embedding Purpose at Every Level
At AIU, as an institution that seeks to train leaders for a better future, we believe that education is the path to improving our lives and becoming better people. Thus, as part of our philosophy, we believe in discovering one’s personal purpose and transforming that purpose into action. And it is an essential part of our mission.
Our learning model, fostered by Andragogy and Omniology, is designed not only to foster academic growth but also to generate a deep understanding of the world and our place in it, thereby making every community and every town a better place.
This article proposes that purpose must be integrated into all aspects of our personal, professional, and collective lives to generate real change.
This raises questions such as: What does it really mean to incorporate purpose? How can we apply this principle in our daily lives? They quickly come to mind, and we want to answer them together.
In this reading, we’ll reflect on how purpose, when authentically embodied at every level, becomes a force capable of moving the world through innovation, well-being, and legacy building.
Ready? Let’s begin!
What is purpose?
Many of us may confuse purpose with having goals. But it goes beyond this. Purpose is an energy, a force that provides direction and drives us to act with coherence and motivation to achieve our objectives.
Nor is it a mythical feeling that separates us from the rest of us. Purpose is the desire to work to do something better, regardless of the size or magnitude of its impact.
Personal vs. Institutional Purpose
If we translate purpose into an organizational context, this concept resonates, influencing strategic decisions, work culture, and the way we engage with customers.
On a personal level, it influences how we use our time, how we relate to others, and how we envision our future.
Utopia or Reality?
One of the most interesting points the article addresses is how to transform purpose beyond a mere, superficial statement of intent into a real and achievable plan.
This means our values should be reflected not only in words, but also in the way we work, interact, and contribute. Whether we’re leading an organization or forging our own personal path, purpose can act as a compass.
Purpose in Real Life
Surely, at this point, we wonder about “real” examples that allow us to see purpose in action.
It’s worth exploring these corporate projects, which are beginning to emerge in the world seeking to change the system, demonstrating that business and purpose can indeed go hand in hand.
Let's look at some examples:
Since its inception, Patagonia has demonstrated a model deeply rooted in environmental activism. Not only does it align itself with ecological responsibility, but it also advocates for climate policies, donates a portion of its profits to environmental causes, and creates transparency in its supply chain. At Patagonia, purpose isn’t a brand; it’s its operating structure.
Another example that helps illustrate working from purpose is New Zealand, a country whose “Wellbeing Budget,” focused on mental health, child well-being, and environmental protection as economic pillars, has demonstrated a shift from profit-focused governments to progress driven by purpose.
For its part, Microsoft has pledged to become carbon negative by 2030, demonstrating that large corporations are redefining success by integrating sustainability as a long-term goal.
These examples demonstrate that when purpose is prioritized at all levels—strategy, culture, leadership, and systems—it becomes a lasting source of innovation and trust.
Purpose and Personal Growth
The interesting thing about purpose is that it isn’t defined by size or importance; what truly defines it is the strength it can give to the person or corporation that decides to believe in it.
In fact, there are many figures in history who have ended up marking great milestones, almost unintentionally.
Consider Malala Yousafzai. Her journey from student to Nobel Peace Prize winner was not defined by her circumstances, but by her unwavering belief in the right to education. Her story reminds us that purpose is not limited by age, place, or context. It is a conscious decision to turn adversity into a cause.
Another powerful example is Dr. Denis Mukwege, a Congolese gynecologist who founded a hospital for victims of sexual violence. His medical knowledge is vast, but it is the purpose behind his work—to restore dignity and justice—that has earned him worldwide recognition.
At our university, there are great stories, told by ordinary people who have achieved great legacies in their communities. Each of these stories is proof that we all have the potential to impact and change our environment for the better. We invite you to read them at the following link.
sloanreview.mit.edu/
How to incorporate purpose into your daily life?
The first step would be to begin by meditating on the things that make you happy, the changes you want to see in the world. Then, connect what you do—or want to do—with your purpose. Find a way to intertwine the two and create an action plan to incorporate them.
For example, a student interested in technology can research how artificial intelligence can support sustainable agriculture in low-income regions. A future psychologist can focus their thesis on trauma care for displaced populations and find a way to begin serving these populations.
Purpose and Statistics
They say that data ends the narrative. Therefore, it’s important to demonstrate with numbers the importance, of the “meaning” of working with purpose. A 2021 Deloitte study found that organizations with a strong purpose have 40% higher employee retention and engagement. This figure reinforces the power of aligning values with real actions.
If we seek to truly integrate purpose, once we achieve personal purpose, we must embrace systems thinking. This approach involves understanding how the different components of a system—social, environmental, and economic—interrelate and influence one another.
For example, when a company prioritizes the well-being of its employees, it not only improves morale but can also increase productivity, customer satisfaction, and brand reputation. Purpose in one area has ripple effects.
Systems thinking also promotes long-term vision. On an individual level, it invites us to reflect on how our decisions today will affect future generations. On a professional level, it drives us to act with global responsibility.
The Habit of Purpose
The real challenge is not in accepting the concept of purpose, but in learning to live it.
To begin living with purpose, we must ask ourselves the following questions:
- What values are most important to me and how do I live them every day?
- How does my work (or my studies) contribute to the greater good?
- How do I define success, not only professionally, but also personally and ethically?
- What legacy do I want to leave?
It is also important to understand that when you live with purpose, there is no end goal, as it begins to become a way of life, fostered by daily practice and by spreading it to others. It is an exercise that is strengthened by conscious decisions, compassion, and resilience.
Recommended Readings to Explore Further
To deepen your understanding, consider these related articles and books:
Start With Why by Simon Sinek
Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl
Dare to Lead by Brené Brown
Life Driven Purpose: How an Atheist Finds Meaning
Rest for Your Souls? Religion, Meaning, and Purpose in Life, and Sleep Quality in the United States.
The relationship between purpose in life and depression and anxiety: A meta‐analysis.
Role-Identity Salience, Purpose and Meaning in Life, and Well-Being among Volunteers.
If you are interested in deepening your understanding of how purpose intersects with leadership, innovation, education, or social impact, we invite you to explore programs in Leadership and Coaching, Organizational Development, Sustainability, or Human Development at Atlantic International University.
Each program is designed to help you turn knowledge into action and vision into legacy.
Your journey toward a purposeful life begins with a single decision: to learn, grow, and give back—on your own terms, and with intention.
Want to continue learning about current topics?
You can delve deeper into different topics in our wide range of recorded lectures, which cover a variety of topics of interest and can be very useful for expanding your knowledge. If this topic interests you, you can explore further in our extensive online library, which also houses a wealth of knowledge, consisting of thousands of eBooks, serving as a valuable complementary resource.
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