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Join host Craig Dowden as he speaks with Angela Bonfanti, CEO of CNIB, about the power of leading with purpose. Explore how vulnerability, transparency, and purpose-driven leadership help create inclusive, resilient organizations that make a lasting impact. Perfect for anyone passionate about positive leadership.
Purpose driven leadership is more than just a buzzword in today’s fast-changing world. It is the foundation upon which exceptional leaders build lasting impact and meaningful connections. When leaders truly understand and embrace their purpose, they are better equipped to inspire and empower those around them. Finding your leadership purpose answers the fundamental question of why you show up each day and guides every decision, action, and interaction.
In the latest episode of Do Good To Lead Well, we explore the essence of purpose driven leadership and its profound role in fostering positive leadership practices, inclusive leadership, and workplace inclusion. Drawing from the inspiring journey and insights of Angela Bonfanti, CEO of CNIB, we dive into how leaders can discover their "why," overcome challenges like imposter syndrome, and create workplaces where everyone can thrive. Whether you are an aspiring executive or a seasoned leader, unlocking your purpose is the key to leading well, making a difference, and igniting change in your teams and beyond.
Core Qualities of Positive and Inclusive Leadership
At the heart of effective leadership today lies the ability to lead with both positivity and inclusivity. These qualities are more important than ever in a world that demands empathy, purpose, and collaboration. Angela Bonfanti emphasizes that vulnerability and transparency are foundational traits for leaders aiming to build trust and foster authentic connections. A positive leader isn’t just someone who projects optimism but someone who embraces their humanity, openly shares challenges, and invites others into genuine conversations. This vulnerability is not a weakness; it is a source of strength that empowers teams to feel safe, heard, and engaged.
Inclusive leadership involves actively listening and involving voices that might otherwise go unheard. Many organizations miss the mark when they fail to engage those they aim to help, which leads to perpetuating outdated narratives and stereotypes. Inclusive leaders make it a priority to understand the lived experiences of diverse individuals and seek their input to co-create solutions that work. This approach helps break down barriers to employment and opportunity, especially for marginalized groups.
"As leaders, we have to be vulnerable. We have to be transparent. We are tasked with thinking about the future while being ultimately responsible for all the shortcomings of the day-to-day operation. So that's a funny thing to navigate. But I do think knowing your purpose is absolutely part and parcel of being a good leader." -Angela Bonfanti
Purpose-driven questions are key to inclusive leadership. Angela encourages leaders to continuously ask themselves and their team, “What do you need?” and “Why are we here?” These questions keep the mission clear and aligned, while also challenging organizations to avoid complacency or assumptions. It’s about creating a culture where asking tough questions is welcomed, without fear of retribution, and where feedback is seen as a gift that leads to meaningful improvement.
Ultimately, positive and inclusive leadership challenges leaders to be courageous, humble, and relentlessly curious. It’s about creating environments where everyone can thrive, contribute, and feel valued. For leaders embracing these qualities, the payoff is not just improved performance but a deeper sense of fulfillment and a stronger connection to the impact they create.
How to Find Your Purpose as a Leader
Discovering your purpose as a leader is a transformative journey that can profoundly shape the way you lead, inspire, and create impact. Angela offers a practical, four-question framework that brings clarity and depth to this essential process. These questions are designed to help you connect with your core motivations and articulate a purposeful leadership statement that guides your daily actions and long-term vision.
First, ask yourself:
“What impact do I want to make on the people, the organization, or the world around me?”
This question digs into your “why”, the deeper reason you show up and lead every day. It’s about understanding the mark you wish to leave and the positive change you want to contribute.
Next, consider:
“What principles do I refuse to compromise on, even under pressure or when challenged?”
Your non-negotiables define your leadership integrity. Identifying these helps ensure your decisions and actions remain aligned with your values, even in difficult times.
Then, reflect on:
“If people talk about my leadership 20 years from now, what would I hope they’d say?”
This shifts the focus from achievements to the legacy of your leadership, how you made people feel, and the inspiration you provided. It’s a reminder that leadership is about connection and emotional impact as much as results.
Finally, craft your purpose statement by filling in the blanks:
"My purpose as a leader is to ___________ so that __________.”
Keep it concise, truthful, bold, and perhaps a little scary to say aloud. This statement becomes your compass, helping you navigate challenges and opportunities with clarity and conviction.
Angela’s own purpose statement exemplifies this approach:
"Lead to challenge limits, real or assumed, and to build systems that reflect the dignity, potential, and power of every person. My purpose as a leader is to turn barriers into breakthroughs and to move organizations from intention to impact to ensure no one is left behind in the process of progress.”
She encourages leaders to revisit their purpose regularly, recognizing that growth and change are part of the journey. Purpose is not static; it evolves as you do. Aligning your purpose with the mission of your organization and sharing it with your team helps deepen engagement and create a unified force working toward a common goal.
Implementing Purpose-Driven Practices in the Workplace
Bringing purpose-driven practices into the workplace transforms how teams engage, collaborate, and innovate. When purpose is clearly articulated and integrated into daily operations, it creates a unifying force that inspires employees to align their efforts with a larger mission, fostering both individual fulfillment and organizational success.
One of the essential elements of implementing purpose-driven leadership is creating a culture where asking tough questions is encouraged and safe. Effective leaders foster environments where feedback, even critical, is welcomed as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. This involves positioning tough conversations as chances to improve, always grounded in the mission rather than personal criticism.
Another powerful practice is building psychological safety so that team members feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenges, and diverse perspectives without fear of retribution. This safety net encourages innovation and honesty, both of which are crucial for evolution and responsiveness in a changing world. Purpose-driven organizations recognize that diversity of thought and lived experience enriches decision-making and creates solutions that are more inclusive and impactful.
Actionable Step-by-Step Takeaway to Implement Purpose-Driven Practices:
- Clarify Your Purpose: Start by articulating a clear and compelling purpose statement that resonates across the organization.
- Embed Purpose in Conversations: Regularly ask questions like “Why are we doing this?” and “How does this align with our purpose?” in team meetings and decision-making processes.
- Create Psychological Safety: Develop a culture where team members can express honest feedback and challenge ideas respectfully, without fear of negative consequences.
- Engage Your Community: Involve employees and stakeholders in open dialogue to understand their needs, perspectives, and suggestions for improvement.
- Focus on Outcomes: Define purpose-aligned success metrics and track progress beyond mere activity or outputs.
- Lead by Example: Demonstrate vulnerability, transparency, and consistency in living the organization’s purpose at every level.
- Revisit and Reflect: Purpose is dynamic—periodically assess how well your practices and goals align with your evolving mission, adjusting as needed.
By systematically weaving purpose into the fabric of daily operations and leadership behaviors, organizations unlock higher engagement, innovation, and impact, creating workplaces where individuals and teams thrive while advancing a meaningful mission.
Ready to take Leading with Purpose to the next level?
- To get practical tools and actionable tips that will jumpstart your journey, download the Leading with Purpose Kick Starter Booklet here.
- Join the newsletter to be notified when a new episode is ready for you to listen and get every Kick Starter Booklet for all future episodes.
- And if you’re looking to elevate your entire C-Suite leadership team, learn how Craig Dowden can help your leaders perform at their highest-level visit https://www.craigdowden.com/executive-mastermind
- For a deeper dive, listen to the full-length episode of the Do Good to Lead Well podcast featuring Wes Adams & Tamara Myles:
Did you like this article on Leading with Purpose? Does it help you become a better leader? Then check out these articles to help hone those skills even further:
- Leadership in Uncertain Times with Elizabeth Weingarten: How Questions, Vulnerability, and Community Fuel Leadership in Uncertain Times with Elizabeth Weingarten
- Positive Leadership for Innovation and Resilience with Jason Tham: Leading with Authenticity, Agility, and Purpose in a Fast-Changing World
- AI Therapy: Lessons on Vulnerability and Listening: Why Leaders Should Create Judgment-Free Zones Like AI Therapy: Lessons on Vulnerability and Listening
- Lead your team or company in the future with ethical AI practices: AI Driven Leadership Strategies for the Future with Geoff Woods
- Create an environment for Meaningful Work: Exploring the Science and Practice of Meaningful Work with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles
- Reveal and fill blindspots in your daily professional life: Seeing with New Eyes: Martin Dubin on Leadership, Self-Awareness, and Blindspotting
Craig Dowden
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