Leading from the Core with Purpose

katrincharlton
4 days ago
5 min read

Updated: 3 days ago

At some point in your career, someone probably asked:

✨ “What are your core values?”

You may have written them down at a team offsite or during a coaching session:

Freedom. Integrity. Growth.

And then? Back to the day job — deals, decisions, deliverables.

But not many, I realise, have asked themselves the deeper question:

👉 “What am I here to do?”

It can feel like a scary question — but I’ve found it to be one of the most important. When we stop to reflect on it, we start to uncover the purpose and values that shape how we think, decide, lead, and connect. As Viktor Frankl wrote, when we have a why to live for, we can bear almost any how.

👉 Your values aren’t a list. They’re your leadership operating system.

👉 Values are the how.

👉 Purpose is your bigger why — your north star.

Both are crucial, especially when the stakes are high. When the pressure’s on, values either guide us… or they vanish in the noise.

When Values and Purpose Find You (and You Finally Listen)

For me, truly understanding my purpose and my values was a turning point. But I only took the time to identify them when I became a coach — and it’s been a game changer.

It didn’t happen overnight. It took space to reflect, time to explore, and more than a few detours along the way.

Looking back, I don’t regret anything — but I do sometimes wonder how things might have felt if I’d had this clarity earlier.

If I’d had a north star and values compass to guide me, I suspect some choices would have felt easier. More intentional. Less like jumping off cliffs and more like taking conscious steps forward.

Take, for example, leaving my finance career.

At the time, I knew I had to make a shift — something was calling me to do work that felt more me. I wanted to be a role model for my boys, and I didn’t feel like I was one by doing what I did back then.

Looking back, I see it clearly now. I wasn’t living into my values — nor my purpose.

I was yearning for freedom — to work on my own terms.

I craved courage — to step into the unknown and start fresh.

I needed curiosity — to learn, grow, and explore new paths.

And I felt a deep desire for kindness — to contribute, give back, and lead with heart.

Had I known those values back then, I might have made less radical changes. Not fewer — but more intentional ones. Changes with clarity and confidence rather than trial and error.

Again, no regrets. But if there’s one thing I’ve learnt — it’s that when we know our values, we can lead ourselves better. And that changes everything.

Why Do Values & Purpose Matter in Leadership?

So what does all this have to do with leadership?

I guess you already get a sense… in my view: a lot if not everything.

Your values aren’t just personal — they’re practical. They guide how you lead, decide, and show up under pressure. Values tend to remain stable over time, though their order of priority may shift as life changes.

Your purpose is your bigger why — your north star. It’s what gives your leadership meaning beyond yourself: a contribution to something larger. Purpose evolves as we do, shaped by experience and reflection.

In the whirlwind of responsibilities, expectations, and change, it’s easy to drift. But when you know your values and purpose, they become your anchor and direction. They help you lead from the inside out.

Here’s what I notice in the leaders I work with:

✅ Clarity — Values help you make faster, more principled decisions.

✅ Resilience — When things get tough, values and purpose are your anchor.

✅ Trust — Teams can sense when leaders are aligned — and when they’re not.

✅ Vision — Values and purpose help define not just what you do, but why.

✅ Fulfilment and well-being — Acting from purpose and values supports mental health and satisfaction.

Research backs this up:

👉 Leaders with clear, lived values build stronger cultures, enjoy higher engagement, and navigate uncertainty more effectively. (Kouzes & Posner, The Leadership Challenge). Neuroscience backs this too 🧠 — when we act in alignment with what matters, our prefrontal cortex (the part of the brain responsible for decision-making) works better. We feel more focused, motivated, and grounded. (Tara Swart and Rock & Schwartz, 2006).

Practical Tips to Reconnect With Your Values & Purpose

⚠️ Your values aren’t who you wish you were — they’re who you already are at your core. Don’t confuse aspiration with alignment.

🔹 Revisit Your Values List

If you haven’t looked at them in a while, dust them off. Choose 3–5 that truly resonate.

🔹 Define the Behaviour

Ask: what does this value look like in action?

🔹 Explore Your Purpose

Purpose is bigger than you — it’s your contribution beyond yourself.

Ask: When do I feel most energised? What impact do I want to have? What legacy do I hope to leave?

🔹 Reflect Weekly

Where did I live my values and purpose this week? Where did I drift?

🔹 Use Values and Purpose in Decisions

Which option aligns most with my core values?

🔹 Make Them Visible

Post them somewhere. Share them with your team or coach. Purpose can be more personal — you might prefer not to share it.

A Story From a Client (Shared With Permission)

A CFO I work with — let’s call him David — was at a crossroads.

He’d received glowing reviews but felt increasingly disconnected.

“It looks good,” he said, “but I feel flat.”

When we explored further, we found that his value of growth had been neglected. He was managing, not creating. His bigger purpose — to empower and develop others — had been buried under daily demands.

The fix wasn’t dramatic. He started mentoring a younger team, enrolled in a professional course, and trained for a half marathon.

The result? More energy, more engagement, and a clearer sense of purpose.

💬 “I didn’t need a new job. I needed to reconnect with what matters.”

Final Reflection

✨ Leading from the core with purpose is about alignment. Alignment with your values. Alignment with your purpose. Alignment with the kind of leader — and person — you want to be.

When you know what you stand for — and act from that place — you lead with more clarity, consistency, and credibility. And you enjoy it more.

📩 I help leaders navigate transitions — internal and external — with clarity, purpose, and soul. If you’d like to explore how I can support you, book a complimentary discovery call.