The Missing Link Between Purpose and Performance

Robust dialogue is the foundation for

shared understanding and mutual

agreement on priorities.

For instance, at a global consulting rm whose pur-

pose is to undertake transformations to bring about a

desirable economy, we observed that team leaders con-

sistently discussed how the organization’s overarching

purpose directly beneted clients and team members.

At the end of each project, partners in charge had to

collect junior- and senior-level consultants’ assessment

of the project and how much the project contributed to

the corporate purpose. These regular dialogues helped

build alignment between team objectives ...