Me – Defining and Living Your Personal Mission

Welcome to the June edition of Positive Leadership & You, as we begin a new quarterly theme: “Shape your mission, live the culture, and lead more effectively with AI.” 

As always, we begin with the “Me” dimension—because before you can lead others or shape systems, you must lead yourself. 

This month is an invitation to reconnect with your personal mission: the values and intentions that give direction to your leadership, meaning to your work, and coherence to your life. In a world of complexity, volatility, and rapid transformation, a clear personal mission acts as your internal compass. 

Why Your Mission Is Your Foundation 

Great leadership starts with clarity of purpose. When you are deeply connected to your personal mission—when you know why you lead—you make decisions more intentionally, inspire others more authentically, and stay resilient through challenges. 

Purpose isn’t a slogan or a strategy—it’s a lived experience. It shows up in the way you set priorities, engage with others, and serve something greater than yourself. 

Bill Drayton founder of Ashoka and a lifelong champion of social entrepreneurship, reminded us in his episode:

"Every great social entrepreneur is also a changemaker, because every time you turn around, things have to change. (...) The first thing is, please give yourself permission. It’s not hard to see a problem you care about — they’re all around. And if you look at the work of the great entrepreneurs, it’s not astrophysics. They’re really simple ideas. Those people gave themselves permission.” 

 For Drayton, becoming a changemaker starts with a personal commitment to solving problems, not waiting for someone else to take the lead. That inner drive is what gives leadership its direction and courage. 

🎧 Listen to the episode with Bill Drayton:

Being a changemaker (with Bill Drayton, Ashoka Founder and CEO)

Discovering Your Ikigai: Yoshito Hori on Personal Purpose 

In our episode with Yoshito Hori Japanese entrepreneur and founder of GLOBIS Corporation , we explored the concept of Kohzohachi (personal vision) and Ikigai (life purpose). Hori believes that every leader must reflect deeply on the question: What is my reason for being? 

His own mission—to develop leaders who can positively transform society—has shaped every step of his career, from investing in education to fostering innovation ecosystems in Japan. He shared how clarifying his mission helped him take bold steps, even when the path ahead wasn’t clear. 

🎧 Listen to the episode with Yoshito Hori:

Combining Purpose and Entrepreneurship for Japan's Future (with Yoshito Hori)

Living My Own Mission through Live for Good 

When I co-founded Live for Good , it was born from a conviction that young people from all horizons—when empowered with purpose, tools, and community—can become powerful agents of positive change. 

For me, personal mission is not abstract. It’s about creating the conditions for others to grow and serve the common good. Through the work we do—supporting young impact entrepreneurs and encouraging purpose-driven innovation—I try to live that mission every day. 

I often remind myself of a simple question: Does this decision move me closer to the future I want to help shape? When the answer is yes, I know I’m aligned. 

Purpose in Practice: Lessons from Past Guests 

Over the years on the podcast, I’ve had the privilege of speaking with leaders who exemplify what it means to live from a place of mission. Their stories offer practical insight—and inspiration—for any leader seeking deeper alignment. 

• Indra Nooyi , former CEO of PepsiCo , shared how staying connected to her values helped her make bold decisions that weren’t always popular, but always purposeful. 

"If you feel it deep down inside, you will make the change. If it's purely an intellectual exercise, you find a way not to make the change."

🎧 Listen to the episode with Indra Nooyi:

Driving performance with purpose (with Indra Nooyi)

• Dorie Clark , expert in personal reinvention, discussed how purpose is often uncovered through experimentation and reflection—not instant clarity.

🎧 Listen to the episode with Dorie Clark:

Reinventing yourself (with Dorie Clark)

• Albert Moukheiber , clinical psychologist and neuroscientist, emphasized how understanding our own identity and motivations allows us to lead with more clarity and calm.

Recommended by LinkedIn

🎧 Listen to the episode with Albert Moukheiber:

[FR] Savoir déjouer les pièges de son cerveau (avec Albert Moukheiber)

• Amy Edmondson , Harvard professor, reminded us that leaders who live their purpose model psychological safety and authentic risk-taking for their teams.

🎧 Listen to the episode with Amy Edmondson:

How to fail well (with Amy Edmondson)

Living Your Mission Creates Cultural Ripples 

When you lead from purpose, it doesn’t just shape your actions—it shapes your culture. Your mission becomes visible in the way you: 

• Choose what to say yes or no to. 

• Respect others—especially when under pressure. 

• Celebrate wins and learn from mistakes. 

• Create space for others to discover their own purpose. 

Leadership that flows from a clear mission inspires trust. It gives others permission to do the same: to lead from their values, take initiative, and contribute to something bigger than themselves. 

My Practice: Coming Back to the “Why” 

Living your mission isn’t about having a perfect plan. It’s about coming back—again and again—to your why. 

For me, that means regularly pausing to ask: 

• What can I learn today? 

• What future am I working toward? 

• What positive impact can i generate along the way? 

• Who am I becoming through the way I lead? 

And it’s also about reconnecting with others who are on that same journey. Because when we lead from purpose, we not only become more effective—we become more human. 

A Reflection for the Month Ahead 

As you navigate June, I invite you to take a few moments to reflect: 

• What is your personal mission—and how clearly can you articulate it? 

• Are you focusing on the priorities that matter the most to achieve your mission? 

• What small habit, decision, or act of courage this month would bring you closer to living your mission? 

Your mission doesn’t have to be loud. But it must be real. And when it’s lived with humility, consistency, and heart, it has the power to ripple far beyond you. 

Let’s lead this month—and every month—with that kind of purpose. 

Wishing you clarity and connection on your leadership journey,

Jean-Philippe Courtois