Starting the Year on Purpose — Inviting Your Team Into the Journey

January feels like a clean slate. New goals, new energy, new possibilities. But if you want this year to be truly different, don’t just start with what you want to achieve. Start with why.

Purpose is the foundation that turns resolutions into real impact. And as a leader, one of the most powerful things you can do is invite your team into that journey with you.

Here are three ways to start the year on purpose together:

1. Share Your Why. Kick off the year by reminding your team of your organization’s purpose — and your own personal "why". Model what it looks like to bring your purpose into your work, not extract it from your work.

2. Invite Their Why. Encourage your team members to define their own purpose. You might ask: “What motivates you? When do you feel most alive at work? What difference do you want to make this year?” Use The Strength of Purpose as a guide.

3. Look for Alignment. Purpose comes alive when personal purpose and organizational purpose overlap. Create space for employees to explore how their “why” connects to the organizations purpose.

When people know their purpose, they show up differently. They bring more energy, more focus, and more heart to their work. And when teams align around purpose, they don’t just do more — they do what matters most.