Flourishing Together
“When the going gets tough, the tough find their purpose”.
I have the privilege of working alongside teams and leaders, supporting them in becoming even better at how they function together and individually. One thing I’ve come to realise is that it’s easy to get so caught up in the busyness of day-to-day tasks that we sometimes forget why we’re doing them in the first place. And often, that busyness can lead us far from our original purpose, causing us to lose sight of what truly matters. We might fall into patterns of doing things simply because that’s the way they’ve always been done, because it feels easier, or because we can’t envision a different way.
Research by Hooker and Masters (2016) highlights that meaning in life enhances both psychological and physical resilience. Having a clear sense of “Why” acts as an emotional compass, helping us stay grounded and motivated through life’s storms, and keeping us focused on the mahi (work) that truly matters.
Uncovering our collective "Why" isn’t about memorising an organisation’s mission statement. True meaning is personal and deeply rooted in values like whānau (family), service, and community. While personal meaning often aligns with broader organisational goals, it always begins at the individual level. When people connect with their deeper purpose, they become more resilient, adaptable, and prosocial—strengthening both themselves and their communities.
In my work, one of the things I focus on is helping individuals and teams reconnect with their deep "Why." What drives them at their core to do the work they do?
Our "Why" can evolve over time, which means it needs to be revisited regularly. Sometimes people discover that their personal purpose no longer aligns with the organisation’s, which can be a valuable opportunity for reflection and further exploration.
Meaning isn’t a luxury; it’s a proven strategy for success. By linking individual purpose to collective goals, we create stronger, more motivated teams and communities, leading to collective flourishing.
Here are a few reflective questions to consider:
How well do you understand your own "Why," and how does it shape how you approach challenges in both your personal and professional life?
In what ways can you help others in your team or community connect their personal purpose with the broader organisational mission?
How might cultivating personal meaning and purpose contribute to building a more resilient, engaged, and supportive environment within your team or organisation?
This time of year is when, as leaders, we begin to review our journey and look ahead to the next few years from a strategic perspective.
This is a personal invitation to you and your leadership team to join us for a day at the end of the year to review and craft your strategic goals, initiatives, and annual plan. I will facilitate and guide the process as you work with your leadership team, surrounded by other leaders, to analyze your data, synthesise your consultation documentation, share ideas, make connections, optimise AI to support your thinking, and leave with a draft strategic and annual plan.
It will be a day of dedicated mahi to get things done. You may also choose to stay the night before and join us for dinner. You'll be in the beautiful surroundings of Waihi Beach School, with the beach only a stone's throw away.
Contact me directly to book your spots - limited spots available.
