Out and About STYLE Mag Issue 3 Vol. 2

1. THE CASE FOR PURPOSE
In the first chapter, Renshaw wants to think about
what the meaning of our lives is. Why are we doing
what we do? Does it serve a purpose? The writer
also wants us to delve deeper and focus on the
kind of person we are. Once we gain knowledge
of our true self, we will be able to figure out our
real purpose. Personal purpose is an aspirational
reason for existing, which inspires and guides our
life. It can be seen as a deep conviction about
the crux of what shapes our mindset, actions and
behaviour.
To figure out your purpose, ask yourself, “When am
I most fulfilled and why? “When do I experience
peak moments and why?” “When am I inflow and
why?”. Once you can find the answers to these,
identify the key themes emerging from these
experiences to land on your ultimate purpose.
2. THE DISCOVERY OF PURPOSE
According to the writer, you will discover your
true purpose at the very core of your existence.
Wrapped around this are your values and your
goals. If you can weave together your purpose
(why) with your values (how) and your goals (what),
it ensures that you are focused on what is most
meaningful to you. How do you know you have
found your purpose? A purpose ignites passion.
A purpose inspires. A purpose strengthens
resilience. A purpose encourages you to be the
best that you can. Purpose provides meaning and
direction to life.
3. A PURPOSE MINDSET
A purpose mindset is brought about when you
can:
• Make meaning of what you are doing.
• Be your true self.
• Boost your energies through the work that
you do.
• Inspire others.
• Be on the winning team in terms of your
work.
When you are in a purpose mindset, you are more
curious, leaning towards learning about your inner
fears and hopes and of those around you. The
writer encourages the readers to be aware of the
choices they make and the effect the choices have
on those working with and under you.
4. A PURPOSE SKILLSET
In this section, Renshaw gives a list of skills that
you should ideally adopt if you want to work on
finding your purpose. The art of listening is the
most important, he says. Listening to your team,
to your family, and even listening to what your
inner self tells you. ‘Building a solid feedback
culture in your team is crucial’, says Renshaw, as
feedback fosters growth of individuals, teams and
organisations. Further, the importance of having a
relationship inclined leadership theory is stressed
upon. A relationship-oriented leader will be more
of a mentor to their subordinates. Scheduling
time to have a talk with employees and value their
feedback is indispensable to a ‘purpose skillset’.
have a talk with employees and value their
feedback is indispensable to a ‘purpose skillset’.
5. PURPOSE INTO ACTION
The final chapter concludes by talking about what
actions a leader with purpose takes. Being resilient
is important, as you need to consider that a sense
of purpose means different things to different
people. Welcoming diversity and being inclusive
is paramount, as it opens your mind to new and
unique ideas and challenges. Finally, the writer
ends with the advice of strengthening the bonds
of family, as family is the factor that grounds us. It
is a base from where we launch to higher limits.
Throughout the book, Renshaw guides the reader
in identifying their purpose. He notes the value
of finding contentment in helping others and
the vital role a sense of community has-both in
personal and corporate lives. In a world where
corporate purpose has lost its meaning, Renshaw
points out the gaps and how ‘purpose’ can help
bridge them.
The book matches its words with questions, tables,
models and diagrams which make the information
more effectively. Short anecdotes sprinkled from
the writer’s personal experiences connect with
the reader. On a professional level, Purpose is
insightful as the writer recounts his journey from
giving up his pursuit of music-one with he felt no
purpose for a more personally gratifying path of
leadership training. Narratives from his time spent
mentoring scores of teams and team leaders from
varied organisations offer a very motivational
perspective to the subject.
A VERY INSPIRING READ INDEED!
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