Confusion on Purpose : Reflections of a Purpose-Driven Leader
Brad Offman • August 7, 2025

Being purpose-driven means having a social purpose and sticking to it. Every day.

Confusion on Purpose : Reflections of a Purpose-Driven Leader

As the leader of Greater Purpose, a relatively new organization that aims to put purpose at its core, I’ve been reflecting on a phrase that we see in a lot of books and articles relating to our work: purpose-driven.


Let’s be honest — ‘purpose-driven’ is quickly becoming the most overused badge on LinkedIn. But what does it actually mean? How do we authenticate it?  Is it enough for me to simply say it, or do I have to show it? I felt ill-equipped to answer these questions and as a result, I’ve had to do a lot of soul searching. 


Having a purpose, according to most definitions, is knowing your “why”. If you can easily articulate your why, that’s fabulous.  Admittedly, I had a lot of trouble.  I turned to some “Purpose Worksheets” available on the web and they were unhelpful.  I turned to ChatGPT and quickly realized the bitter irony of asking AI to help me find my why.   I think the better question, for me at least, is what kind of person I want to be. Again, not so easy.


The line between Greater Purpose, my company, and its leader (i.e. me) is a blurry one but one that deserves consideration. If we’re building a movement rooted in purpose, we have to start by asking hard questions of ourselves. I can’t be a warm, authentic business leader if I neglect my wife and children in the process of doing so.  I can’t plan fun, exciting conferences and spend my home time as a complete and utter bore.   My “why”, I decided, is the essence of who I’ve become but also who I want to be.  I am fun.  I am vulnerable. I am committed to making a difference.  I work very hard.  But I also play hard and make time for friends and family.  These are, I think, the makings of a purpose-driven leader.


But what about the not-so-good things?  I’m easily slighted and oversensitive.  I take things far too personally.  I am sometimes lacking in empathy.  I am incredibly impatient (in the not good kind of way).  How do these traits form part of my WHY?  As much as I can try to improve on these things, they are also part of who I am.   Do these things undermine my ability to be purpose-driven? Can I be oversensitive and impatient and still lead with purpose?


Admittedly, I’m a fan of Netflix’s Trainwreck program, which is a series of one-hour vignettes about when things go terribly wrong.  Last night, I watched the episode about the rise and fall of American Apparel, a popular fashion brand in the 2000s which no longer exists.  The founder, Dov Charney, is a truly despicable character, treating his trusted employees in ways that can only be characterized as abhorrent.  I turned to my wife, Mina, my Trainwreck co-conspirator, and told her that my goal with Greater Purpose is to be everything that Dov Charney is not. Charney is purpose gone wrong.


Being purpose-driven means having a social purpose and sticking to it. Every day. It means letting our team shine. It means both understanding AND admitting when I am out of my element. It means bringing on people with talents that I lack and allowing these talents to shine.  It means treating everyone with respect and dignity. Maybe being purpose-driven isn’t about having all the answers. Maybe it’s about showing up — flaws and all — and doing the work anyway.  Being purpose-driven means knowing who I am, but also who I am not.  “To thine own self be true”. That is what is truly means to be purpose-driven.

By Brad & Claire December 17, 2025
As we close out 2025, we want to pause and say thank you. Leading with purpose can feel lonely. You're often the one making the case for change, pushing against inertia, doing the invisible work of turning aspiration into action. But this year proved something we've always believed: you're not doing it alone. Whether you joined us at a conference, an Impact Circle, or followed along from afar, you helped shape what Greater Purpose became this year. 2025 was a year of change, momentum, and clarity as we transitioned from the Partnership Conference to Greater Purpose and establishing the foundation for what comes next. Why This Year Mattered When we launched Greater Purpose, we were clear on our purpose and mission. Over these last months, we've crystallized the vision that drives our work: positioning Canada as a global leader in purpose-led business. We believe Canada has a real opportunity to shine in this space. As a country, we're doing incredible work, but often quietly. Greater Purpose exists to amplify that work, connect the leaders driving it forward, and shape the next generation of business. Our mission is clear: to build Canada's defining community for purpose-led business. And, wherever you are on the path to purpose, there's a place for you here. The Power of Community What emerged most clearly this year wasn't just programming or events; it was the power of community itself. Of finding your people. Of knowing others are navigating the same tensions, asking the same hard questions, celebrating the same wins that feel massive when you're the only one championing them inside your organization. Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity, captured this perfectly after our Toronto conference: "In just a year, you have become a touchstone for me; I didn't realize how much I needed community in my own country, so I'm very grateful to all of you for bringing us together for a greater purpose!" This is what a community of practice looks like. It's peer learning grounded in lived experience. It's honest conversations about what's working and what isn't. It's the reminder that you're not alone, and that together, we're building something that matters. A Note for the Season As this year comes to a close, we want to wish you and yours a peaceful holiday season. Take time to rest, to celebrate what you've accomplished, and to reconnect with what matters most. Thank you for being part of this community. For showing up, for pushing forward, for believing that business can—and should—be a force for good. As we head into 2026, if you know someone who belongs in this community—bring them with you. This movement grows stronger when we invite others in. Here's to building what comes next and we'll see you in the new year. With gratitude and warm wishes, Brad & Claire What Stayed With Us This Year Our founding members – Welcoming the companies who believed in this vision from the beginning. Your commitment helped establish the foundation for everything to come. Building strategic partnerships – Collaborating with Postmedia, The Walrus, and Future of Good to amplify Canadian purpose-led business stories. Blue Jays World Series – Watching the team play their hearts out together reminded us that sometimes the best connections happen outside the boardroom. Our first western conference – Taking Greater Purpose west for the first time, the turnout at the Calgary Zoo showed us the appetite for this community extends coast to coast. Greater Purpose Conference East – In October, we gathered hundreds of leaders in Toronto for conversations that moved beyond theory into practice. Becoming a Certified B Corporation – Joining a global community of businesses committed to using business as a force for good. Impact Circles – Creating peer-led spaces for trust, learning, and real connection in Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The Inaugural Greater Purpose Awards – Recognizing leaders and organizations making purpose tangible and measurable, including Purpose Leadership Award winner Maureen Young of Coast Capital Savings, Social Purpose Company winners Coast Capital, MCIS Language Solutions, and Sarona Asset Management, and Innovative Partnership Award winner Public Architecture. Looking Ahead: What's Next in 2026 We're heading into 2026 with clarity and conviction—and some exciting firsts. A New Look & Feel A refreshed website and brand experience that reflects the community we're building together. Coming in early 2026. Greater Purpose Conference West May 11-12, 2026 | Vancouver - Our first-ever West Coast conference. Registration is now open . Impact Circles Across Canada In-person community gatherings in Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal, with more locations to come. New formats, deeper connections, and more opportunities to gather with your peers. The Greater Purpose Awards Expanding in 2026 with additional categories and amplified reach through our media partnerships. Nominations open July 2026. Membership Every business has a greater purpose. A Greater Purpose membership signals yours. It connects you to a national movement working to establish Canada as a global leader in the purpose economy. Learn more . Partner With Us Interested in collaborating on events, programming, or thought leadership? We'd love to hear from you at info@greaterpurpose.inc
By Brad & Claire November 20, 2025
As we scrolled through the photos from our Toronto conference, this one brought an instant smile: a room full of people with their hands in the air, fully present, engaged, and saying I'm in. It captures what happens when impact-driven leaders come together: openness, energy, and a feeling of collective momentum that's impossible to ignore. There's something about that image that stays with you. And for our team, it's a reflection of a movement gaining strength. We are living in a time of incredible change and complexity, and these are the people choosing to lead through it differently. They came ready to be challenged, to connect, and to recommit to the work that brought them into this space in the first place. The Reminder We All Needed What we heard again and again in your feedback was "I needed this." Not just the insights shared on stage, but the reminder that you're not doing this work alone. That across Canada, there are leaders pushing against inertia, making the case for change, and doing the often-invisible work of turning purpose from aspiration into action. It's a reminder that even the most driven among us can feel isolated in this work. Purpose-driven leadership isn't always celebrated in traditional business circles. It can feel like swimming against the current, constantly justifying why doing good and doing well aren't mutually exclusive. To be in a room full of people who get it, who are navigating the same tensions and trade-offs, who are asking the same hard questions provides a sense of connection and hope. Recognizing Purpose The inaugural Greater Purpose Awards brought that invisible work into the light, raising the profile of the people and organizations turning purpose into real progress. From courageous leaders to innovative partnerships, the awards celebrated those who are setting new standards for what purposeful business can look like. (And yes… Brad's purple tuxedo was absolutely part of the moment.) Recognition isn't just symbolic. Research consistently shows that meaningful appreciation boosts motivation, strengthens trust, and increases collaboration. These are the conditions under which innovation and social impact flourish. It's also one of the most overlooked levers inside organizations. The Awards helped change that. The winners represented a diverse cross-section of industries and approaches, but they shared a common thread: a refusal to accept the status quo. They're proof that purpose isn't a marketing strategy or a nice-to-have. It's a way of operating that demands courage, commitment, and a willingness to be held accountable to something greater than the bottom line. You can meet our award winners here . Celebrating Impact These past six months have stretched us, surprised us, and reminded us why this movement matters. Last night, we gathered again, this time at our Greater Purpose Launch Party in Vancouver, hosted by our friends and purposeful partners at the Canadian Purpose Economy Project. The energy in the room was unmistakable: leaders connecting, ideas sparking, and a shared sense that one day these tiny ripples of action will create a tide of meaningful change. It was a glimpse of what's to come on May 11–12, when we host our first-ever Greater Purpose Conference in Vancouver. Mark your calendars. Registration opens November 24 , and we'd love to have you with us. Inspiring Change And the momentum continues. On December 4, our sold-out Impact Circle in Toronto brings another group of leaders together to learn, reflect, and shape what's next. The Impact Circle is where purpose-driven leaders gather to connect, share bold ideas, collaborate, and support each other. When you're surrounded by peers who understand the weight of this work, you can speak openly about the setbacks as well as the wins. And that honesty is where the real learning happens. Building What's Next Every gathering, every conversation, every raised hand is building the conditions for a more purposeful economy. Thank you for showing up with your ideas, enthusiasm, and commitment to this work. This community is growing because of you. And we're just getting started. The path forward isn't always clear, and it certainly isn't easy. But what we've seen over these past months gives us confidence that the foundation is strong. You are that foundation. Your willingness to show up, to push for change within your organizations, to hold yourselves and each other accountable is what makes this more than a moment. It's a movement. So keep raising your hands. Keep saying I'm in. And know that when you do, you're part of something much larger than any single event or initiative. You're helping to build the economy we all want to see, one where purpose and profit aren't at odds, where business is a force for good, and where leaders like you are recognized for the vital work you're doing. With gratitude, Brad & Claire
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