More Than a Seat at the Table: How to Lead with Purpose
What makes someone a truly great board member? I work with so many boards and leaders and in most cases it’s not just what’s on your resume. It’s when your personal why aligns with the organization’s why. That’s where the magic happens.
Mission-driven leadership isn’t just a concept we talk about in theory, it’s a felt experience. When your values and passions are in sync with the nonprofit’s goals, you show up with energy, clarity, and commitment. We’ve all been at those tables where someone is there to check a box. It’s not fun for anyone. As a board member, you’re not just attending meetings; you’re helping steer the mission forward in a way that feels meaningful to you and to the community you serve. So we may as well care deeply about the work!
When Passion Becomes Leadership
I once worked with a board chair who had an unwavering passion for education. It wasn’t just something she said—she lived it. She’d share stories about how education had shaped her life, and her belief in its power was contagious. That energy spread across the board and staff, sparking new ideas and openness to creative ideas allowing them to launch new programs like a mentorship initiative and educational support for teachers. Her leadership didn’t come from a textbook, it came from her purpose.
That’s what it looks like when personal commitment meets organizational mission. It's not performative. It's transformational.
Find Your Spark
So how do you find your own point of alignment?
Start by asking:
What issues fire me up?
Where do I already invest my time or care deeply?
What topics, programs, organizations frequently find their way into my conversations?
Simple reflections can help uncover where your values intersect with an organization’s work. These aren’t just nice extras. They give you a compass for how to lead and serve in a way that’s both effective and personally fulfilling. It also can help you find the right organizations to hitch your wagon to.
Purpose Is Contagious
If you’re part of a board now, think about how you might create space for others to connect to the mission, too. It’s a key role of the board to be out in the community spreading the word and passing on that passion to others. I’ve lead storytelling sessions where members share what brought them to the cause and that re-connection reminds them why they’re at the table in the first place. Similarly, I’ve led workshops where mission statements are revisited—not as a formality, but as a living guidepost. These small practices create cohesion and a sense of shared purpose that goes far beyond Robert’s Rules.
What Happens When It Works
Here’s the thing: mission-driven leadership isn’t just about feeling good. It gets results. Organizations shift their impact dramatically when their board is energized by purpose. One arts nonprofit saw a massive increase in community engagement after a renewed focus on mission alignment. Why? Because the people at the helm genuinely cared. And they showed it.
Lead with Purpose, Not Just Presence
It’s easy to think of board service as a responsibility, or even an obligation. But the most powerful leaders I’ve worked with didn’t just take their seat at the table. They brought their whole selves with them.
So here’s your invitation:
Take a few minutes this week and ask yourself—where does my passion show up in this work? If the answer’s a little fuzzy, don’t worry. That’s where the real leadership journey begins.