Finding Purpose in Leadership: A Journey from Disillusionment to Impact

In my 25 years of leadership within the retail industry, I have to admit that for the majority of that time, I felt lost—disconnected from the deeper meaning of my role. Day after day, I walked into work knowing I was responsible for a business, a team, and a set of financial goals, yet I struggled to understand why my job truly mattered. Was my sole purpose just to ensure cash flowed into the registers? Was I simply a cog in the machine, driving profits for owners and shareholders? Or was I just moving through the motions, year after year, holding the title of manager or director but lacking a true sense of fulfillment?

This disconnect left me frustrated and uninspired, and that lack of purpose reflected in my leadership. I struggled to build cohesion within my teams, failed to create a vision they could rally behind, and felt the sting of a culture that lacked pride and engagement. My efforts yielded small, fleeting successes, but sustained, long-term success always seemed just out of reach.

At one point, I spent six years with a company that preached the philosophy that “experiences create beliefs,” yet even within that framework, I found myself unable to find satisfaction in my work. I failed to lead my teams toward fulfillment, and as a result, our performance remained mediocre. Without purpose, without a clear reason why we were doing what we did, we were merely going through the motions.

The Moment That Changed Everything

Then, about 10 years ago, I experienced what I can only describe as a career-shaking earthquake. I was serving as a General Manager for Best Buy in a small town in Nebraska, continuing the same cycle—clocking in without passion, struggling to inspire my team, and failing to cultivate a culture where the employee experience translated into extraordinary customer outcomes.

Then, one day, our CEO at the time, Hubert Joly, defined our mission in one simple but powerful phrase: “To enrich lives through technology.”

At first, I struggled to connect with this idea. What does it really mean to enrich lives through technology? But then, as I looked around at my customers and the products we sold, the realization hit me like a lightning bolt: the work we were doing was life-changing.

• We weren’t just selling smart home devices—we were giving senior citizens the ability to live independently in their homes.

• We weren’t just selling laptops—we were equipping college freshmen with the tools they needed for a successful future.

• We weren’t just selling washers and dryers—we were helping young families build their first homes together.

At that moment, my entire perspective on leadership transformed. I realized that not only could I lead a team that enriched the lives of customers, but I could also enrich the lives of my employees. My purpose had been born, and with it, so had my passion.

Building a Culture of Purposeful Leadership

From that day forward, everything changed. My team and I built a culture that was employee-led and leader-supported. Instead of dictating expectations, we empowered every individual on the team to take ownership—of their experiences, their development, their performance, and most importantly, their outcomes.

We were no longer just a big-box retailer moving inventory. We were a team on a mission to impact lives.

This shift in mindset created a ripple effect. Our small-town store in Central Nebraska became one of the top-performing locations in the company. But more importantly, we had built something far more valuable than sales figures—we had built a culture where employees were engaged, customers felt valued, and every person who walked through our doors experienced something meaningful.

The Lasting Impact of Purposeful Leadership

Purposeful leadership isn’t just about hitting targets—it’s about creating an environment where people believe in their work, see their value, and understand their impact. It’s about leading with authenticity, fostering empowerment, and driving performance through passion rather than pressure.

When leaders operate with purpose, the outcomes speak for themselves:✅ Stronger Team Engagement – Employees feel connected to their work and take pride in their contributions.✅ Higher Performance & Productivity – Purpose drives motivation, and motivated teams deliver exceptional results.✅ Improved Customer Experiences – When employees believe in what they do, customers feel that authenticity.✅ Sustained Business Success – Purpose-driven teams create long-term value, not just short-term gains.✅ Personal Fulfillment as a Leader – Leadership becomes more than just a job; it becomes a mission.

Looking back, I now understand why I struggled for so long. It wasn’t the industry, the company, or the teams—it was the absence of purpose. Once I discovered the why, everything else followed.

Purposeful leadership isn’t just a strategy—it’s a necessity. And when you lead with purpose, success follows. Purposeful leadership is about leading with intention, vision, and values. Here are five of the most important points:

1. Clarity of Purpose

• A purposeful leader has a clear vision and mission that guide decisions and inspire others.

• They communicate this purpose effectively to align their team and organization.

2. Authenticity & Integrity

• Leaders must be true to their values and lead by example.

• Integrity builds trust, and trust fosters a strong organizational culture.

3. Empowerment & Development

• Purposeful leaders invest in their people, helping them grow and succeed.

• They create an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated.

4. Resilience & Adaptability

• Challenges are inevitable, but leaders who stay focused on their purpose can navigate uncertainty with confidence.

• They embrace change and encourage their teams to do the same.

5. Impact & Legacy

• Leadership is about making a difference—not just in business results but in people’s lives.

• Purposeful leaders consider their long-term impact and strive to leave a positive legacy.