This we know: the heart leads and the head validates. The heart is driven to buy from companies with similar values and perspectives. The head follows along to justify the purchase, but the heart reins. Last week, Blackrock, the world’s largest asset manager, inspired the balance between the head and the heart by incenting a “positive contribution to society” in their letter published in The New York Times. And what a welcome incentive it is.
We have clients who firmly articulate their adoration of profits. But profits alone don’t differentiate in the marketplace. Long-term, they don’t drive people out of bed in the morning to go to work and they don’t keep customers coming back. Moreover, profits don’t say much about who you are and why it matters.
A clearly articulated and acted on purpose, on the other hand, not only matters, but distinguishes when done right.
At Driver8, we employ 3 essential rules to define and live up to your purpose:
1. Sacrifice – one mission; one purpose. Not four not even two. Focus for clarity and efficient, aligned efforts.
2. Assure a balance of head and heart. Tip the scale too heavily in one direction and it won’t work.
3. Act authentically. If it’s not true, it’s not there. You can’t manufacture passion and purpose. It needs to be there intuitively. Naturally. Always.
We all win – as companies, employees, consumers, citizens - when profits are buoyed by purpose. Kudos, @Blackrock