DEFINING YOURSELF AS A LEADER

When you define your purpose, vision, and values, you articulate a set of principles that focus your efforts and guide
you in making choices, interacting with others, and achieving meaningful objectives.

Think of purpose, vision, and values as the why, what, and how of what you do in your role. Together, they provide a
cohesive way for you to think about yourself as a leader.

TOOL WHAT IT IS TIMEFRAME

PURPOSE OR MISSION A thread that comes from the core of your identity Reviewed periodically to ensure
and unifies your pursuits to date: alignment with what’s important
to you
• Who you are and what makes you distinctive
• What strengths and passions you bring to your job
• Why you’re driven to achieve your goals
• Is not: A list of your education, experience, or skills

VISION A compelling image of an achievable future: Updated over time, as you

accomplish short-term goals
• What you want to accomplish in your work and life
and add new ones
• What kind of leader you want to be
• What matters most to you
• How you want to stretch as a person and leader

VALUES A compass that guides how you pursue your goals: Fairly stable over time

• How you carry out your work

• What you believe about right and wrong
• What standards you use for assessing decisions

© 2018 Harvard Business School Publishing. All rights reserved. Harvard Business School Publishing is an affiliate of Harvard Business School.