Purpose Begins with People
When people ask me what I do, my answer has evolved over the years.
Sometimes I say I'm a speaker.
Sometimes I say I'm a leadership coach.
Other times I talk about communication, personality assessments, or trauma-informed leadership.
While each of those descriptions is true, none of them fully captures the heart of my work.
Recently, I've been refining my message, and I've realized that everything I do points back to one simple truth:
Purpose is People™.
We Often Look in the Wrong Direction
When people begin searching for their purpose, they often ask questions like:
What career should I pursue?
What business should I start?
What gifts do I have?
What am I passionate about?
Those are important questions, but they don't tell the whole story.
Purpose isn't just about what you do.
It's about who you serve.
Every Role Is About People
Teachers don't simply teach subjects.
They develop people.
Leaders don't simply manage projects.
They influence people.
Business owners don't simply sell products.
They solve problems for people.
Parents don't simply raise children.
They shape people.
No matter what title we hold, our work ultimately comes back to relationships.
When we lose sight of people, we lose sight of purpose.
Communication Is More Than Talking
One of the greatest lessons I've learned throughout my career is that communication isn't just about speaking well.
It's about helping people feel seen, heard, and understood.
Every conversation is an opportunity to build trust.
Every interaction leaves an impression.
Every relationship has the potential to change someone's life.
Effective communication isn't simply exchanging information.
It's creating connection.
A Different Question
For years, people have asked,
"What is my purpose?"
It's a good question.
But I've found another question that may be even more powerful.
Who is your purpose?
That question shifts our attention away from ourselves and toward the people we've been called to serve.
When we begin with people, our purpose becomes much clearer.
Final Thoughts
I don't believe purpose is something we discover once and never revisit.
I believe it's something we live every day through the way we serve others.
No matter your profession, your season of life, or your title, someone is waiting for the gifts only you can offer.
Purpose begins with people.
And perhaps the most important question you'll ask yourself today is this:
Who is my purpose?
