Whole Leaders, Wild Trust

CHAPTER 9Productive: Crush the Important Things

A whole and trusted leader gets meaningful things done.

One of the most underrated sources of trust in our lives and leadership is progress—not just any progress, but meaningful progress. People trust leaders who get things done, yes—but even more so, they trust leaders whose actions are clearly anchored in something deeper. A purpose. A reason. A “why” that goes beyond checking boxes. When our goals are tethered to a compelling purpose, something shifts. We become more consistent. More human. And more trustworthy—because others can see the story behind the strategy. They can see we’re not just in motion; we’re moving with intention.

At its core, productivity without purpose is performative. It’s exhausting. But when people experience us making progress toward something we believe in—something that includes them and benefits more than just ourselves—they don’t just trust what we’re doing. They trust why we’re doing it. And trust accelerates alignment. It fosters commitment. It gives others permission to clarify their own purpose or make a decision to opt out—both of which are valuable. So, this isn’t just a personal development exercise. It’s a strategic act of leadership. Because people can’t align with your purpose if you haven’t named it. And if the people you serve don’t see where your goals are taking you, it’s hard for them to trust the journey.

While we aren’t defined by what we do, we can never escape the reality that ...