#63: The Power of Purpose with Dr. Eric Bean

Purpose isn’t just a buzzword – it's the driving force that powers motivation, builds resilience, and amplifies impact. In this episode of Coaching Through Stories, Dr. Eric Bean dives deep into the meaning and application of purpose, not just as a concept but as a leadership strategy. He explores how leaders can tap into multiple sources of motivation by anchoring work, even the smallest tasks, in a compelling, long-term mission. 

 Through research and powerful stories like the 17th century, London bricklayers and President Kennedy’s NASA visit during the Space Race, Dr. Bean illustrates how purpose empowers leaders and teams to see beyond tasks and connect with a bigger mission. He offers practical strategies for discovering your “why,” aligning it with your leadership and infusing it into everyday decisions.  

 Whether searching for more meaning in your work or looking to spark purpose within your team, this conversation will equip you with insight and tools to lead with intention. 

Key Takeaways:

• Why perspective matters: How three bricklayers building the same wall saw vastly different meaning in their work—and why you should ask your team “What are you doing?” 

• Connecting every role to a grand mission: Lessons from a NASA janitor who saw broom‑sweeping as part of getting a man on the moon. 

• The science of meaningful work: Research showing links between purpose, job satisfaction, engagement, and lower burnout. 

• Defining your leadership purpose: A clear, evidence‑backed definition and a simple exercise to craft your own “why” in 20 words or less. 

• Three levels of impact (Aaron Hurst): Individual contributions, organizational change, and societal transformation—and how to find your sweet spot. 

• Purpose‑driven strategies: Embedding purpose in decisions, contests (think PepsiCo’s “Performance with Purpose”), storytelling, rituals, and recognition. 

• Empowering your team: Practical tips for helping employees see how daily tasks feed a larger mission (Adam Grant’s call‑center study, and more). 

Highlights:

• [0:59] The story of the bricklayers and how perspective shapes purpose 

• [3:22] The NASA janitor and the power of connecting small tasks to grand missions 

• [4:43] High levels of meaningful work = High levels of job satisfaction, commitment, and engagement 

• [5:37] Defining purpose as a long-term, meaningful goal that impacts others 

• [9:08] Aaron Hurst’s three levels of impact 

• [11:26] Write down your leadership purpose 

• [13:01] Turning purpose into action: leadership decisions, values, and communication 

• [14:43] “Performance with a Purpose” from Indra Nooyi and PepsiCo 

• [16:12] Leveraging storytelling to inspire team alignment 

• [17:52] How can we help our team connect to a shared purpose 

• [19:03] Adam Grant’s famous study on call center motivation and meaningful work 

• [20:03] Infusing purpose into your leadership 

Resources: 

• Learn more about Aaron Hurst’s research on purpose in the workplace: imperative.com  

• Michael F. Steger et al., “Measuring Meaningful Work”: Organizational Behavior and Human Decision Processes 

• Indra Nooyi’s “Performance with Purpose”: PepsiCo’s sustainability & social responsibility framework 

• Adam Grant’s study on meaningful work: [Organizational Behavior Journal] 

Connect with Us 

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• Share your leadership purpose with #CoachingThroughStories 

“Leading with purpose isn’t about prescribing meaning—it’s about inviting others to see the mission in every moment.” 

— Dr. Eric Bean