Common Purpose

Common Purpose

by Joel Kurtzman

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About
From one of the most respected names in business and leadership, a rare look at the specifics of how great leaders achieve "common purpose" and success within their organizations. What is common purpose? It is that rare, almost-palpable experience that happens when a leader coalesces a group, team or community into a creative, dynamic, brave and nearly invincible we. It happens the moment the organization's values, tools, objectives and hopes are internalized in a way that enables people to work tirelessly toward a goal. Common purpose is rarely achieved. But Kurtzman has observed that when a leader is able to bring it about, the results are outsized, measurable and inspiring. Based on Kurtzman's all-new interviews with more than 50 leaders, including Ron Sargent, Ilene Lang, Micky Arison, Simon Cooper, Joel Klein, Janet Field, Steve Wynn, Shivan Subramaniam, Michael Dell, Richard Boyatzis, Tom Kelley, Michael Milken, and Warren Bennis Contains research on leadership Kurtzman has conducted during his years at The New York Times, the Harvard Business Review, Booz & Company, as well as with PricewaterhouseCoopers, Mercer, and Korn/Ferry Based on all new interviews with some of the most dynamic, successful, and enduring leaders, Common Purpose sheds new light on the meaning of leadership, the crucial qualities of leaders, and most importantly, how to lead.The EPUB format of this title may not be compatible for use on all handheld devices.

Discussion questions for Common Purpose

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  1. 1

    How would you personally define that "palpable experience" of a "common purpose" in a group or organization, and have you ever experienced it firsthand?

  2. 2

    Kurtzman argues that common purpose is rarely achieved; what do you think are the biggest psychological or cultural barriers that prevent teams from reaching this state?

  3. 3

    Consider a leader you have personally worked with or admired—did they successfully internalize their organization’s values and objectives, and if so, how did they communicate that to others?

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