The Power of Servant Purpose: Why It Inspires Better Than a Vision Statement

The Power of Servant Purpose: Why It Inspires Better Than a Vision Statement

S. Chris Edmonds is a sought-after speaker, author, and executive consultant. He’s the founder and CEO of The Purposeful Culture Group, which he launched in 1990. Chris helps senior leaders build and sustain purposeful, positive, productive work cultures. He is the author or co-author of seven books, including Amazon bestsellers Good Comes First (2021) with Mark Babbitt, The Culture Engine (2014), and Leading at a Higher Level (2008) with Ken Blanchard.

In our book, Good Comes First, co-author Mark Babbitt and I introduce four culture cornerstones that lay the foundation for creating an uncompromising work culture.

These cornerstones are designed to align people and practices with your vision for an ideal workplace, helping you build an effective, ethical, engaging, and sustainable culture.

Our first cornerstone, “Live Our Servant Purpose,” encourages leaders, employees, contractors, and even customers to recognize that their company is driven by a purpose beyond profit—one that prioritizes serving others and creating a positive impact.

What is a “servant purpose”?

A servant purpose defines your company’s core mission—how it serves and enriches the lives of employees, customers, and the wider community. It’s not just about what your company does but its positive impact on others.

In essence, a servant purpose goes beyond profit, serving as your company’s more compelling reason for existence in the present moment.

That higher purpose shifts your organization’s primary focus from making money (or making red wagons, circuit boards, or sandwiches—none of which are innately inspiring to employees) to serving others: creating tangible value for your customers and communities.

When a leader embodies her servant purpose, she fulfills that mission and serves her people every day.

A group of business professionals sits around a conference table in a modern office, engaged in an important meeting. Some are diligently taking notes while others listen attentively, surrounded by glass partitions and lush potted plants that add vibrancy to the productive atmosphere.

A person stands on stage giving a business presentation, holding a pointer while facing an attentive audience. Behind them, a large screen displays graphs and technical text related to neural networks.

A servant purpose defines your company’s core mission—how it serves and enriches the lives of employees, customers, and the wider community.

CHRIS EDMONDS

In a Good Comes First company, leaders at all levels, not just the senior leader, must model the servant purpose.

Unfortunately, many employees still work for bosses who prioritize compliance and conformity over creativity—a leader who cares more about the bottom line than the well-being of their people. Today, this outdated approach is one of the key reasons many workplaces struggle with low morale and high turnover. It’s also why a record number of workers—millions of whom voluntarily left their jobs in recent years—are choosing to walk away from toxic environments and seek roles where they feel valued, respected, and empowered.

In 2021, USA Today reported that nearly 30% of full-time workers were likely to quit their jobs by the end of the year. Today, “return to the office” mandates are causing more employees to separate from workplaces that don’t provide them the flexibility they require.

Good Comes First companies are led by service-led leaders who embrace the company’s purpose and are deeply committed to supporting and validating their people. These leaders prioritize personal and professional growth, seeing every employee, contractor, vendor, and partner as an integral part of that growth. Equally important, they tackle inequality and bias head-on, treating them as the destructive forces they are in any workplace.

When leaders hold each other accountable to this servant purpose, the entire leadership team becomes aligned—not just on driving results but on improving the lives of their people. This commitment ripples through the organization, inspiring team members at every level to embody the servant purpose and creating a culture where everyone thrives.