On Purpose – Leadership Skills Article

Back in the 80s, I worked with a fledging building society based in Kogarah. St George Building Society.

I loved it.

We were slowly coming of age, through innovative technology, amazing customer service and mergers and acquisitions. But there’s something above all of this that I think was responsible for our rapid growth towards what eventually became a world-class bank. 

It’s so relevant to all of us today.

It was the genuine belief by our leaders at the time in the difference we were making in people’s lives. Back then, we didn’t have terms like Noble Purpose, Higher Purpose, Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG), Mission. We just got on with it.

And I’m pretty sure our leaders never attended a Harvard mini-MBA or went to INSEAD. They led from the heart.

For example, Jim Wills, our GM (and ex-WWII veteran), would constantly remind us of the responsibility we had with deposits.

“Just remember mate, it’s not your money.”

But the one message I’ll always remember was from one of our meetings about a huge campaign to raise deposits. I can’t remember his exact words. But I do remember the genuine sentiment of Jim’s cry for action and total commitment. It went something like this…

“We are about to launch one of the biggest campaigns since our humble beginnings in 1937.

Let me remind you again of what we are about. We are a building society.

 First, we are a society, that’s what binds us.

Secondly, we are builders of people’s dreams. And one of those dreams is to have your own home.

Notice I didn’t say house. We are helping people buy “homes” and a home is a sanctuary. A home is a safe place where you can be with your family and friends. Where you can just be you.

And every dollar we raise goes to helping those dreams become a reality.”

I have no idea what number of deposits we raised. All I remember is that we were doing something worthwhile. We were pumped. And I was a part of it. We were doing something that gave us a sense of purpose, of meaning, of belonging. Something that made work and life worthwhile.

We all need this sense of being part of something bigger, something meaningful, something above all the noise.

So, what do you tell your people is your higher purpose?

How do you keep coming back to it?

What do you celebrate?

What helps you all go beyond the mere “raising of deposits” in your organisation?

What’s the safe place you’re building?

What’s your sanctuary?

I’d genuinely want to hear your answers. Let me know in the comments. 

Thank you, Jim Wills. What an honour it was to serve with you.

I’m still a St George customer after all these years and still feel that personal touch.

Until Next time…

Find the passion.
Develop the skills.
Make the numbers.
Make a difference.

Paul Mitchell
“APAC’s most respected transformational leadership performance coach”

Paul Mitchell (@Paul_S_Mitchell) is a speaker, author, transformational leadership coach and founder of the human enterprise. Through leadership coaching, leadership development programmes, keynotes and facilitation, Paul works with organisations to build cultures where everybody leads.