Common Purpose

About the Author

Joel Kurtzman, the author of Common Purpose: How Great Leaders Get Organizations to Achieve the Extraordinary, is a prominent thought leader and consultant. He is the chairman of the Kurtzman Group and a senior fellow at the Milken Institute. Kurtzman is also the publisher of The Milken Institute Review and a senior fellow at Wharton's SEI Center for Advanced Studies in Management. His extensive experience in leadership and management, along with his contributions to various esteemed publications, makes him a credible voice in the field of organizational leadership.

Main Idea

Common Purpose explores the concept of aligning an organization's members around a shared mission, vision, and set of values. Kurtzman argues that great leaders cultivate a sense of "we" among their teams, creating a unified and motivated workforce that achieves extraordinary results. The book emphasizes the importance of emotional intelligence, authenticity, and the strategic use of leadership tools to foster common purpose. Kurtzman provides a roadmap for leaders to inspire and guide their organizations toward achieving remarkable outcomes.

Table of Contents

• Introduction: What is Common Purpose?
• No One Leads Alone
• The Leadership Disconnect
• Leadership Determines Results
• Internalizing What the Organization Stands For
• The Best Leaders Are Part of the Group
• Cultivating Curiosity, Not Complacency
• Creating a Culture of Leadership
• We're All In This Together
• You Don't Have to Be Ruthless to Lead
• Ideas Matter
• Epilogue: The Future of Leadership

Introduction: What is Common Purpose?

Kurtzman introduces the concept of "common purpose" as a state where an organization's members are united by a shared mission, vision, and values. This unity transforms individual efforts into collective success. He highlights that achieving common purpose is rare but essential for extraordinary achievements. Leaders play a critical role in cultivating this environment by fostering inclusivity and leveraging both emotional and intellectual tools.

"Common purpose is what turns me into we." - Joel Kurtzman

No One Leads Alone

Kurtzman emphasizes that leadership is a collective endeavor, requiring the involvement and commitment of all organizational members. He compares leadership to a contract, where leaders are responsible for setting a course and ensuring the organization's success, but must also work closely with their teams to navigate challenges. This section underscores the importance of collaboration and shared responsibility in leadership.

"Leadership is about what leaders do." - Joel Kurtzman

• Leaders must align their actions with the organization's goals.
• Effective leadership requires communication and transparency.

The Leadership Disconnect

Kurtzman discusses a common issue in many organizations: the disconnect between the desire for decentralized decision-making and the persistence of hierarchical thinking. He argues that while organizations often espouse the need for leadership at all levels, they frequently fail to empower employees accordingly. This disconnect can hinder an organization's responsiveness and agility, crucial traits in today's fast-paced environment.