Purpose is the anchor

The #1 mistake in meetings, programs, events, and even tough conversations with the people we love most? Jumping straight to the how before defining the why.

Last week I led a session on driving impact and engagement. The context was designing effective programming but the principle is universal: before you pick a tool, an activity, or an agenda, get crystal clear on your purpose and intended outcomes. Everything else follows.

I love what Simon Sinek says in Start With Why: People don't buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.

That same logic applies to how we design any experience, big or small.

✅ Feedback conversation → start with why
("I want us to leave this mutual respect and trust, not defensive.")

✅ Team planning meeting → start with why
("I want everyone to walk out aligned and energized, not just informed.")

✅ Large-scale event → start with why
("I want participants to feel connected to each other and the mission, not just checked in and checked out.")

When emotions, expectations, or assumptions creep in, whether it's a hard conversation with a loved one or a room full of participants, it's easy to lose your way. Clarity of purpose is what keeps us anchored. It's what turns a checkbox into a real result.