Today, we introduce the theme we are exploring in Q1: Transformation.
Part 1: What is Transformation and Why Is It Important?
In both the business and personal development worlds, the concept of “transformation” is everywhere.
Buzzwords like “level up,” “10x your potential,” “step into your power,” and “lead with impact” dominate the conversation.
But what does transformation actually mean?
At PurposeBuilt, transformation is more than just a buzzword; it’s what we fundamentally believe in. It’s your evolution, your growth as a leader and a human being.
Embracing transformation means stepping into a profound shift that redefines how you engage with the world.
We define transformation as: gaining greater access to choice.
At first glance, this definition might seem almost too simple, but simplicity often holds the greatest depth.
True transformation isn’t about optimization or chasing a specific goal. It’s about expanding your ability to choose—freely and consciously—and that choice then driving the results you are looking for.
Part 2: A Story of Transformation
To illustrate, let’s kick it off with a story.
For most of their adult life, one of our clients had one driving force: ambition.
They chased accolades and spent over a decade climbing the corporate ladder. And by external measures, they succeeded brilliantly. The balance sheet and the list of major brand names on their résumé grew epically.
But ambition was tied to proving success as an underdog, and eventually, ‘proving’ their way to the top became exhausting. They hit a breaking point. Despite fueling clear achievements, their role no longer brought them happiness or fulfillment.
They made a choice—the first in their transformation—to step away and spend time focusing on themselves, deepening relationships with family and friends, and rediscovering what truly mattered to them.
They started asking deeper questions about ambition, fulfillment, and drive.
Recently, this client returned to the corporate world and was presented with an opportunity to apply for a more senior role. But this time, something had changed. Instead of rushing in, they paused to ask themselves:
- Do I want this for the right reasons?
- Does this role support my growth, or am I still in reaction to someone else’s path?
- Am I doing this because I have something to prove?
They no longer felt driven by the need for external validation. Instead, they had gained the ability to engage with the new opportunity, consciously and intentionally.
And they went for it. 😉
This shift allowed them to choose ambition on their own terms.
Part 3: The Essence of Transformation
This story highlights two important points about transformation:
- Transformation is not about doing the opposite of what you used to do. Simply rejecting old patterns or behaviors isn’t true change; it’s just flipping the coin. Without greater access to choice, you’re still trapped in a limited framework. Only now, it’s the reverse of the old one.
- Transformation is about redefining your relationship with a pattern. My client didn’t abandon ambition; they transformed their relationship to it. They engaged with ambition consciously, which gave them more choice in the situation. This is true transformation.
Next Up: Exploring Transformation in Depth
This story is just a tiny slice of what transformation has to offer. Over the next quarter, we’ll dive deep into the different facets of transformation to help support you as a leader.
Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Decision-making: If this is all about choice, let’s first learn how you make decisions. We’ll explore the internal motivations that guide your actions, helping you uncover your unique set of intrinsic decision drivers.
- Belief Systems: Discover how core beliefs can limit your choices and how to identify and rewrite the ones that no longer serve you.
- Resistance: Explore the most common types of resistance we see in leaders around change and transformation—and learn practical ways to soften them.
- The Gap, The Shift & The Grace: Understand the discomfort of being caught between where you were and where you want to be. We’ll also explore how to recognize when a true shift has occurred, and how to hold yourself gracefully in the process.
- Bigger & Better Challenges: See how consistent transformation equips you to tackle bigger and better challenges, enabling you to grow in ways you never thought possible.
As always, thanks for geeking out on consciousness with me. I’m grateful every day that this is how I get to spend my time.
I hope you’re excited for Transformation as a theme — it’s an ongoing process of gaining access to new choices and rewriting your relationship with the world.
More soon.