Your “Why” Is Your Leadership Superpower
Leaders are doers. They want to act. But in the Local Leadership Lab, emerging leaders don’t start with what they want to get done. Instead, they reflect on why they’re here. What called them to show up for their community? “Finding your why” is probably the most important work you’ll do as a leader. Here’s why it matters.
What does “finding your why” mean?
“Finding your why” is another way to say “understanding the reason you’re a leader.” You’re connecting your leadership to your deepest values and your own lived experiences. In other words, your why is the story you tell yourself and others to give your work meaning.
In the Local Leadership Lab, we call this the “civic why,” because we understand that you’ll have places you’re called to lead (like at work) that may have different reasons and stories.
Your “why” keeps you motivated
Leadership often starts when someone sees a problem, says “if not me, who?” and steps in to do something. But what happens after that? When the work is done, or when you realize it will never be fully done?
Purpose is a powerful motivator. Leadership is hard, and it’s tempting to step down. But if you know why you’re stepping up in the first place, you’re better able to find the grit to keep going. Inspiration for the next project comes more easily. And if you write your “why” down, it can help you hit your goals.
Starting with your “why” helps guide your choices
How do you focus your leadership when so many things need fixing at once? To find the right work, use a three-step framework that starts with your “why” (adapted from Simon Sinek’s The Golden Circle).
- Define your “civic why.” What is your story?
- Define your “how.” How would your skills, passions, or networks help you contribute to a project? What work do you enjoy most?
- Choose projects where your “why” and your “how” intersect. Purpose + skill = impact.
Your purpose makes you more powerful
Think about all the leaders who inspire you. Of course, their actions matter. But purpose drives trust. People tend to follow you because they relate to your values, to your experiences, to your story. Sharing your true north also gives people a strong sense of what to expect. The most inspirational leaders tie their actions to their “civic why.”
Real examples of why from the Local Leader Lab
Throughout the 12 weeks of the Lab, participants write and refine their “civic why,” then use that work to help decide on a project they’ll tackle as new leaders in their community. Here are a few examples:
“I have a passion for serving and empowering young people.”
“The future will not be ours if we remain divided.”
“I am so grateful for the opportunities that I have had. This is ALL because my parents lifted our family out of poverty and the power of education. I want to give back and make sure others (especially women) have the opportunities I have had.”
“Women, particularly moms, need to be empowered and listened to in order to influence the way our society is structured and how it functions.”