HARRISONBURG VA (ROCKTOWN NOW) -In a recent interview on WSVA’s “Early Mornings,” Jim Britt spoke with Wes Dove of Dove Development and Consulting about his new book, “Leading with a Clear Purpose.” This book, which has already hit #1 in several Amazon bestseller categories during its pre-order phase, follows Dove’s previous bestseller, “What’s Killing Your Profitability.”

During the interview, Dove shared the inspiration behind his new book. He recounted a conversation with a lifelong friend, a high-achieving business owner who expressed a lack of fulfillment in one of his ventures. This conversation highlighted the critical role of purpose in business success and spurred Dove to explore the topic further. He noted that burnout is not limited to employees; leaders also suffer when they lack a clear purpose.

Dove emphasized that purpose is essential not only for those leading organizations but also for their employees. He referenced a Harvard Business Review study that found a 57% increase in discretionary effort from employees who are truly engaged, leading to a 20% improvement in individual productivity. Dove illustrated this by comparing the best and worst bosses, noting that employees are willing to go above and beyond for leaders who provide a clear purpose.

The discussion also touched on the changing expectations of the workforce. Dove pointed out that today’s employees, especially younger generations, seek more than just a paycheck; they want their work to matter and to contribute to something meaningful. He stressed the importance of leaders articulating a clear organizational purpose and helping employees connect their individual purposes to the organization’s goals.

Dove acknowledged the challenges some leaders face in adapting to this new reality. He criticized the “warm body theory,” where leaders simply fill positions without considering the importance of purpose. He argued that even when this approach was common, it never yielded the best results. Leaders must now focus on providing purpose to exceed expectations and retain top talent.

In conclusion, Dove’s new book, “Leading with a Clear Purpose,” aims to guide leaders in articulating and embedding purpose within their organizations. He believes that true leadership is about serving and empowering others, not just holding a title or position. By fostering a sense of purpose, leaders can inspire their teams to achieve their best and create lasting impact.