Prepare Now to Lead in 2026 With Purpose and Vision
A recent Washington Post headline caught my eye: This happiness hack can guide you toward a life of purpose. In a world defined by shifting roles and constant change, it surprised me to see purpose described as a “happiness hack.” A hack is usually a shortcut or clever trick. Living your purpose may very well make you happy, but it is certainly not a shortcut. For most people, discovering purpose requires deep reflection, honesty, and curiosity about who they are and the impact they hope to make.
In my coaching and training work, I encourage participants to begin with vision. Vision defines not only what you want to achieve, but the kind of world you want to help shape. Purpose fuels that vision. It is your internal compass, the motivation at the center of every choice and every chapter of your leadership journey. It is the answer to why you do what you do, not simply what you do. Vision then becomes the future state you are reaching for, the picture of what becomes possible when you live your purpose with intention.
Together, purpose and vision form a powerful foundation for meaningful leadership and a fulfilling life. They steady you during times of uncertainty and pull you forward when the path feels unclear.
The Washington Post article highlighted a six-year Cornell University study led by psychologist Anthony Burrow. The study found that young adults who identified a sense of purpose - and took small steps toward it - reported higher well-being, stronger connection, and greater emotional balance. This aligns closely with what I’ve witnessed for decades in leadership coaching. When people connect with a deeper purpose and pair it with a compelling vision, something shifts. Energy rises. Confidence grows. Clarity emerges. They stop reacting to circumstances and start shaping them.
This is especially true for women leaders who often balance competing expectations. When they take the time to define their purpose and vision, their leadership becomes grounded in what matters most. That alignment strengthens their confidence and creates a positive ripple effect across their teams, organizations, and communities.
A helpful place to begin is with two simple questions: What difference do I most want to make in the world? And if I lived that purpose and vision fully, what would my life and leadership look like five years from now? Taking the time to reflect on these questions opens the door to clarity, meaning, and joy.
As I wrote in Start with Vision, “A clear vision creates the pathway from possibility to purpose in action.” I encourage you to take the month of December to define both your purpose and your vision. And if you need support, reach out to me at lesliegrossmanconnect@gmail.com and I will send you a custom worksheet to guide you. Reading Start with Vision will help accelerate the process as well.
