Have you ever felt lost in the daily grind, wondering if all your hard work is actually moving you toward your goals? I discovered a simple yet powerful concept over a decade ago that completely transformed how I lead teams and make decisions. It’s called Purpose Over Task (POT), and it might just be the most valuable addition to your leadership toolbelt this year.
What is Purpose Over Task?
Purpose Over Task is exactly what it sounds like – prioritizing your “why” over your “what.” It’s a decision-making framework that helps you align your daily actions with your bigger vision. Rather than getting caught in the trap of completing tasks for the sake of checking boxes, POT encourages you to measure every action against your overarching purpose.
I first learned this concept during a leadership training at the Disney Institute over ten years ago, and it remains one of the most impactful leadership principles I’ve ever encountered.
The Disney Story That Changed Everything
During my training at the Disney Institute, our facilitator shared an unforgettable story that perfectly illustrates this principle.
The presentation screen displayed a photo of a Disney cast member (their term for all employees) named Brian, dressed in a white janitorial uniform. But instead of sweeping the grounds as you might expect, Brian was holding his broom high in the air like a drum major’s baton, leading three young girls in what looked like an impromptu parade. The girls were marching behind him, faces beaming with joy.
The story behind the image?
One of the girls had dropped her ice cream cone on the pavement. While most janitors would immediately focus on cleaning up the mess (the task), Brian noticed the little girl was heartbroken and crying. Understanding that Disney’s purpose is to create “the happiest place on earth,” Brian made a split-second decision to prioritize that purpose over his immediate task.
He transformed his broom into a parade baton and led the girls through the park to replace the ice cream, turning a moment of disappointment into a magical Disney memory the family would never forget.
This wasn’t about abandoning his responsibilities – the mess would still get cleaned. But Brian recognized that in that moment, serving Disney’s greater purpose took precedence over the immediate task.
Why Purpose Over Task Matters
In business and life, we’re constantly bombarded with tasks that demand our attention. Without a guiding principle, we often default to what’s urgent rather than what’s important. As one of my Dallas friends says whenever someone gets off-topic: “Squirrel!” – referencing how even well-trained dogs will abandon everything to chase a squirrel.
The truth is, we’re all guided by something. It might be:
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- Office politics
- Financial pressures
- Customer demands
- Our own ambitions
Without a clear purpose, these forces pull us in conflicting directions, leading to scattered efforts and mediocre results.
The NASA Janitor: Another POT Legend
This reminds me of another famous story about purpose alignment that I often share in my leadership workshops.
In 1962, after President Kennedy declared America’s intention to put a man on the moon “before this decade is out,” he toured NASA facilities to see the progress firsthand. During his visit, Kennedy wandered into a service corridor where he encountered a janitor.
“Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy,” said the president. “What are you doing here?”
The janitor’s response perfectly embodied Purpose Over Task: “Well, Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”
This janitor understood that his daily tasks – sweeping floors, emptying trash bins, maintaining clean facilities – all served a greater purpose. He wasn’t just cleaning; he was contributing to one of humanity’s greatest achievements.
How to Implement POT in Your Life and Organization
Bringing Purpose Over Task into your leadership approach isn’t complicated, but it does require intentionality. Here’s how to get started:
1. Clearly Define Your Purpose
Before POT can guide your decisions, you need a crystal-clear understanding of your purpose:
- For individuals: What impact do you want to have? What legacy do you want to leave?
- For teams: How does your work serve the organization’s mission?
- For organizations: Why do you exist beyond making money?
Your purpose should be specific enough to guide decisions but broad enough to inspire.
2. Communicate Purpose Relentlessly
At Disney, everyone from executives to janitors understands they’re “creating happiness” – not just performing tasks. This shared purpose creates alignment and empowers decision-making at all levels.
As I discuss in my book 10 Leading Tools, effective leaders constantly reinforce purpose:
- Open meetings by connecting agenda items to your purpose
- Recognize team members who exemplify purpose-driven decisions
- Share stories (like Brian’s parade) that demonstrate purpose in action
3. Use POT as a Decision-Making Filter
When faced with competing priorities or difficult choices, ask:
- “Which option best serves our purpose?”
- “Am I focused on completing tasks or achieving our purpose?”
- “If I had to choose between efficiency and purpose, which matters more?”
4. Create Systems That Support Purpose
Individual decisions are important, but truly purpose-driven organizations build systems that make purpose the default:
- Align performance metrics with purpose, not just task completion
- Reward purpose-driven behavior, even when it means adapting standard procedures
- Give team members autonomy to make purpose-centered decisions
Real-World Impact of Purpose Over Task
The POT framework isn’t just a feel-good philosophy – it drives real results. Organizations that clearly connect daily work to a meaningful purpose experience:
- 47% higher employee retention
- 30% higher levels of performance
- Greater customer satisfaction and loyalty
- More innovation and creative problem-solving
In my own career, implementing POT has transformed how my teams operate. Team members feel empowered to make decisions, knowing that if they’re aligned with our purpose, they’re moving in the right direction.
Common POT Pitfalls to Avoid
While Purpose Over Task is powerful, there are some common misconceptions:
- Purpose ≠ No Tasks: POT doesn’t mean abandoning tasks. The tasks still need to be completed, but purpose guides when, how, and in what order.
- Not Everything Is Mission-Critical: Some leaders label everything as “purpose-driven” to create false urgency. True purpose provides clarity about what matters most.
- Purpose Isn’t Just Words on a Wall: If your stated purpose doesn’t actually guide decisions, it’s just decoration.
Is POT Right for Your Organization?
Purpose Over Task works in any environment where human judgment and decision-making matter. It’s particularly powerful in:
- Customer service environments
- Creative fields
- Healthcare and education
- Team-based organizations
- Rapidly changing industries
However, it requires leaders willing to trust their team members and team members willing to think beyond their job descriptions.
Your Next Steps With POT
Ready to put Purpose Over Task into practice? Here are three simple next steps:
- Take 15 minutes to write down your personal or organizational purpose. Make it specific and meaningful.
- Identify three recent decisions where task-focus may have overshadowed purpose.
- Choose one upcoming meeting or project and deliberately apply the POT framework.
Remember, as I teach in my leadership development programs, tools like POT aren’t about perfection – they’re about progress. Each purpose-aligned decision builds momentum toward a more focused, impactful approach to leadership.
What purpose will guide your decisions today?
