How Your Purpose Will Multiply Your Productivity - With Stan Phelps
Productivity Gladiator
The Shift to Purpose-Driven Business
This chapter examines the transition from shareholder-centric approaches to purpose-driven business models, highlighting the 'challenger archetype' that urges companies to rethink their relationships with customers and employees. It emphasizes the importance of a strong organizational purpose, detailing its benefits in employee engagement and overall business performance.
Stan Phelps joins Brian and explores the deep connection between purpose and productivity. They dig into the importance of aligning personal and organizational goals with a clear purpose.
They also dive into helpful tangents including:
The 4 versions of the workplace and how productivity is tied to the current version 4.0
the significance of warmth in relationships,
Generational shifts in workplace values.
The 8 purpose archetypes
Practical advice for individuals seeking to find their purpose.
See the full details and links on the episode's page: https://www.productivitygladiator.com/episodes/how-your-purpose-will-multiply-your-productivity-with-stan-phelps
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References In This Episode
Purple Goldfish (the first/original book) by Stan Phelps
Red Goldfish (about purpose-driven business) by Stan Phelps
The full Goldfish series of books
Article about U2, Bono, and the “Red Campaign”
Mark Twain's reference to "lagniappe" in his autobiography - What’s a Lagniappe?
Mike McCallowitz (regarding BANG - Big Audacious Noble Goal vs BHAG - Big Hairy Audacious Goal)
Simon Sinek (mentioned regarding the importance of "why")
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Episode Digest
Purpose and Productivity: Finding Your North Star
The relationship between purpose and productivity is more profound than many realize. When individuals and organizations align their actions with a clear sense of purpose, productivity naturally follows. But what exactly is purpose, and how does it differ from a simple mission statement?
"People don't buy what you do. They buy how you do it. And maybe more importantly, why you do it."
Understanding Purpose vs. Mission
A purpose is your guiding North Star - something that drives you and provides directional guidance. While you may never fully reach that North Star, it serves as a constant guide. This differs significantly from a mission statement in several key ways:
- Purpose is the "why" while mission is the "what"
- Purpose is the calling while mission is the job
- Purpose comes from the heart while mission comes from the head
- Purpose is ambitious while mission is pragmatic
- Purpose focuses on goals while mission outlines the plan
The Evolution of Business Purpose
Business has evolved through four distinct phases over the past century:
1.0 (Pre-1970s): Focus solely on shareholder value
2.0 (1970s): Recognition that customer focus drives shareholder returns
3.0 (1990s): Understanding that engaged employees create happy customers
4.0 (Present): Purpose-first approach driving employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and shareholder value
Actionable Insights for Finding Your Purpose
Use the "Hell Yes or No" Test
When evaluating your purpose, there are only two possible answers - "Hell Yes" or "No." If you're unsure or thinking "maybe," that's effectively a no. Your true purpose should evoke an immediate, enthusiastic response.
Identify Your Purpose Archetype
Organizations and individuals typically fall into one of eight purpose archetypes:
- **Protector**: Environmental/social protection (e.g., Patagonia)
- **Liberator**: Promoting freedom and new ways (e.g., Harley Davidson)
- **Designer**: Creating innovative solutions (e.g., Apple)
- **Guide**: Helping others navigate (e.g., Google)
- **Advocate**: Standing up for causes/groups (e.g., AARP)
- **Challenger**: Questioning status quo
- **Unifier**: Bringing people together (e.g., Whole Foods)
- **Master**: Revolutionizing industries (e.g., Warby Parker)
Understand the Warmth-Competence Dynamic
"People value warmth more than competence. They're both important, but warmth trumps competence every day of the week and twice on Sunday."
People make quick judgments based on two factors:
1. Intent (Warmth): Understanding why someone does something
2. Ability (Competence): Can they deliver on that intent
While both matter, warmth - understanding someone's purpose and intentions - typically matters more in building trust and relationships.
Making the Transition to Purpose-Driven Work
For those looking to align their work more closely with their purpose, here are practical steps:
1. **Start Where You Are**: You don't have to quit your job to pursue purpose. Look for ways to bring purpose into your current role or organization.
2. **Consider Adjacent Moves**: Instead of completely starting over, look for roles in related fields where your experience remains valuable but aligns better with your purpose.
3. **Test Through Volunteering**: Before making major changes, volunteer with organizations that align with your potential purpose to test the fit.
"We used to live in the tyranny of 'or' where you either had to pursue something that truly gave you purpose and meaning but live the life of a struggling artist, or do something lucrative but feel empty. Now we're in the power of 'and' - we can have both."
Bottom Line
Purpose isn't just about feeling good - it's a practical driver of productivity and success. When people understand and connect with why they do what they do, engagement increases, resilience grows, and productivity naturally follows. The key is finding that "Hell Yes" moment and building your path forward from there, whether through dramatic changes or incremental shifts toward your North Star.
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Today’s Guest
Stan Phelps
Certified Speaking Professional|
Global Speaking Fellow
Author of the GoldFish Series of Books
A show and tell speaker, Stan empowers audiences to take action that delivers bottom-line impact. He strives to change the paradigm of marketing by encouraging audiences to focus on experiences as the ultimate competitive differentiator. He believes purposeful DX wins the hearts of employees and customers, and differentiation ultimately boosts loyalty, retention, referrals, and results.
A masterful storyteller who quickly connects with audiences, Stan has delivered keynotes and workshops for Fortune 100 brands including IBM, Target, Exxon Mobil, Boeing, Caterpillar, Ford Motor, Kroger, Cardinal Health, Walt Disney, UnitedHealth, Rocket Companies, and more.
He works directly with you to customize content that matches your audience and your goals to create a memorable and meaningful experience every time. Count on Stan to show up early, arrive prepared, and disrupt the all-work-and- no-play methodology with his sharp wit and trademark showmanship. He makes it his mission to exceed expectations and inspire audiences in ways they just can’t help but talk about — and won’t soon forget.
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About The Creator/Host: I’m Brian. At age 4, I was diagnosed with insulin dependent (type 1) diabetes and told that my life was going to be 10-20 years shorter than everyone else. As a kid I took time for granted, but now as an adult, time is the most precious thing that I have. After spending a career hands-on in the trenches as a senior project manager, I now help others to level-up through my Productivity Gladiator training. These Gladiators wield email management superpowers, a laser-guided ability to focus, samurai-grade prioritization skills, a sniper-precise task tracking approach, Jedi time management skills, and a secret sauce for maximizing their personal life balance. If what you’ve seen here intrigues you, reach out, let’s chat!
Time is the currency of your life, spend it wisely.
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