Surf the wave 4: Refocus on the shared purpose.

Is Your Leadership Team Losing Sight of Its Purpose?

When crises hit, it’s easy for C-level teams to become consumed by the chaos—focusing solely on survival, firefighting, and quick wins. 

Actually, in the middle of all this turbulence, there’s one question that can bring clarity, focus, and energy: What is our shared purpose?

Let’s take a real-world example:

A global manufacturing company is undergoing a massive restructuring. Layoffs are looming, supply chains are under pressure, and leaders are scrambling to balance costs with commitments. Meetings have turned into debates about what to cut, what to save, and how to stabilize the business. Morale is low, and the team feels disconnected.

Then, in a pivotal meeting, someone asks:

“What is our deeper mission? Why do we exist as a company?”

This question shifts the dynamic entirely. The team remembers their shared purpose: to provide innovative, sustainable solutions that improve lives and protect the planet. 

Suddenly, the conversation is no longer about cuts; it’s about alignment. Decisions start flowing from purpose rather than panic. 

Priorities become clearer:

- Investments in sustainable R&D stay on the table because they align with the company’s mission.

- Teams rally around a shared vision, easing tensions and restoring morale.

- Leaders communicate decisions with confidence and clarity, ensuring employees understand not just the “what” but the “why.”

Why Purpose Is Your Team’s Greatest Anchor!

In moments of tension and uncertainty, purpose does more than inspire— it genuinely guides:

• It grounds decisions in long-term meaning rather than short-term fixes.

• It energizes teams, reminding them why their work matters.

• It aligns priorities, ensuring every action contributes to the bigger picture.

How to Reconnect with Your Purpose?

In your next leadership meeting, ask:

- What is our shared purpose as a team?

- How does this purpose inform the decisions we’re making today?

- How can we use our purpose to unite and motivate our people?

Make this a regular practice—especially in times of uncertainty. 

Purpose isn’t just a feel-good slogan; it’s your compass in the storm.

Challenge for Your Team:

Stop. Pause. Reflect. Next time the stress of the moment threatens to overwhelm you, ask:

- Does this decision align with our deeper mission?

- What would our purpose have to say in order to guide us through this challenge?

Remember: Crisis does not have to disconnect your team. Purpose can bring you back together - and move you forward.