Abstract
Contemporary leadership theory predominantly focuses on the traits, skills and character of
leaders and does not consider how effective leadership is attained. Furthermore, the role
and influence of personal purpose on professional leadership remain largely unknown.
Another unanswered question is whether the passion for achieving personal purpose could
be steered towards supporting organisational objectives. The objective of this research was
to explore the implications of personal purpose on leadership effectiveness. This included
understanding how one attains personal purpose, what leaders with a sense of personal
purpose define as success, exploring the influence of personal purpose on effective
leadership and exploring how personal purpose contributes to effective leadership.
The epistemological stance adopted by this researcher was interpretivism, and deploying a
research strategy of conducting semi-structured interviews with nine participants in the nongovernmental
sector (NGO) provided the researcher with the necessary data to perform a
thematic analysis.
The analysis revealed four main themes. The order of the themes was based on the
objectives of the research. The attainment of personal purpose was placed first, and then
other identified and related themes, being intelligent and understanding of success. The final
theme and sub-themes were the characteristics of effective leadership identified in the
research conducted, which are character and self-directness.
Effective leadership is a highly valuable commodity, and leadership is also not static, but
rather complex, multi-dimensional and requires much more than mere competencies. The
next revolution will be the human revolution, hence the need will be for leaders to lead from
their hearts, and it will require people to unleash creativity and personal passion. Modesty,
compassion, and sensitivity towards people are considered elements of effective leadership
in a sub-Saharan African context. These elements are closely associated with the elements
found in personal purpose-driven leaders.
Keywords: Achievement, attainment, effective leadership, mindset, personal purpose,
success.