16: Finding Meaning and Purpose in our Work

Let's Talk Family Enterprise

Introduction

Welcome to Let’s Talk Family Enterprise, a podcast that explores the ideas, concepts, and models that best serve Family Enterprise Advisors in supporting their clients.

All views, information, and opinions expressed during this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily represent those of Family Enterprise Exchange or its employees.

Description

There is nothing quite like a global pandemic to cause us to pause and think about what really matters in our lives. Ruth Steverlynck sits down with author, coach, world record-breaker, and global resource for CEOs and Family Enterprises, Dave Phillips (dphillips.com), to explore why achieving success in life may not, in and of itself, be enough and practical steps we can take to figure out our authentic life purpose.

Guest bio

Dave Phillips, of Phillips Management Inc., is an experienced executive mentor and speaker for high-performance CEOs and business leaders across North America. His work covers topics ranging from the boardroom to the bedroom in some of the most challenging and even troubling areas of the leaders’ lives.

Dave not only supports CEOs and business leaders but also their teams to make a greater impact and provide long-term solutions to business leaders. Along with leadership mentoring and speaking engagements, Dave and the Phillips Management team have developed a variety of team-building tools and courses to support corporate teams for a variety of businesses. Regardless of your business size and revenue, the tools and capacity building programs Phillips Management offers will improve business communication and, in the long run, the overall health of the business.

For Dave’s full bio, click here.

Key Takeaways

[0:27] Ruth introduces fellow Vancouverite Dave Phillips and works down the list for only part of his impressive resume.

[5:00] Ruth quotes part of the foreword in Dave’s book, The Three Big Questions. She takes a moment to ask him why taking the time to know, understand and clearly define his overarching life purpose was more transformational than any of his personal or professional accomplishments.

[6:00] They discuss the difference between "purposeful" versus "purpose for". Dave shares that the life purpose puzzle has three pieces.

[9:28] There have been, since the beginning of humankind, overarching and common characteristics of what it means to be a person of substance and this is agreed upon, regardless of creed. Dave explains that these virtues are our greatest hope for legacy but hardly ever our primary focus.

[11:50] Dave shares a story which starts when he broke the world record for the longest water-ski marathon (1300 miles).

[20:11] Dave addresses the question, “What’s my purpose?” and the value of finding that deeper sense of self.

[22:11] Dave talks about being intentional about who you want to be in life, which may lead to finding a purpose.

[23:04] Dave addresses the second question, “What is my mission?” and touches on how we can find what we’re likely good at and may find satisfying.

[24:11] Dave touches on the third question, “What is my vision?”

[29:27] Dave shares some practical steps to get started if you’re interested in finding more purpose, mission and vision for your life.

[34:22] Dave explains how having a clear understanding of what your top three values are may inform more decisions than you would believe. “If you don’t know who you are, you will become the sum of the expectations of those around you.”

[36:20] The three categories of values are as follows: identity values, competency values and activity values. Dave breaks down and defines each category.

[39:00] Ruth asks Dave to share his advice to advisors: “To be mindful of: The money is not the client.” He takes time to explain exactly what he means as well as how he goes about talking to his clients about it.

[44:09] Ruth thanks Dave for coming on to the podcast to share so much of his wisdom and invites listeners to subscribe to the podcast.

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Mentioned in this episode

Let’s Talk Family Enterprise podcast is brought to you by Family Enterprise Xchange.

Dave Phillips

The Three Big Questions that Everyone Asks Sooner or Later, by Dave Phillips

The Values Game will be made available in the Family Enterprise Exchange Monthly Digest.

Lead Yourself First: Inspiring Leadership Through Solitude, by Raymond M. Kethledge and Michael S. Erwin

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