Lead with Purpose. Act with Integrity. Care Deeply.
Why these three words kept echoing long after the Podcast was over
I was recently invited to join Oliver King at Engine as a guest on the CXD podcast. During our conversation – reflecting on leadership, change, and staying relevant in a fast-moving world – I was asked what advice I’d offer to my younger self. My answer?
“Lead with purpose. Act with integrity. Care deeply.”
It was a response to a simple, yet powerful question:
“If you could sit down with your younger self — maybe at the start of your leadership journey — what’s the one thing you would want him to understand about leading through uncertainty and change?”
The simplicity of that phrase stuck with me. It captured something about the way I try to lead, and what I’ve learned matters most through my leadership journey when things are changing.
It’s not intended as a formula or mantra – and certainty isn’t something I always get right, but it reflects the values that define me; especially in moments that require courage, clarity, and connection.
So I’ve decided to explore it further. Unpacking why the principles of leading with purpose, acting with integrity, and caring deeply matter.
Why these principles matter
We live in a time where complexity is high, expectations are shifting, and the role of leadership is evolving. In that context:
Change is happening fast in an increasingly uncertain world – people want clarity.
In uncertain times, trust is built on consistency – people want to see actions that reflect values.
Amid pressure and uncertainty, people need to feel seen – care turns pressure into resilience.
In all this, I believe that how we lead matters more than ever. Not just the outcomes we achieve, but the experience we create on the way there.
That’s where purpose, integrity, and care come in. Not as abstract ideals, but as practical human foundations for leadership that works.
A triad for Human-Centred Leadership?
Here’s how I see each of these principles playing a role:
Lead with Purpose | Purpose gives direction. It’s what makes decisions meaningful, not just efficient. When everything else is shifting, a clear sense of purpose keeps us focused and helps others understand why their work matters.
Act with Integrity | Integrity builds trust. Without trust, even the best strategies fail. Acting with integrity doesn’t mean playing it safe, it means being consistent – matching your words to your actions, and staying grounded in your values when pressure mounts.
Care Deeply | Care is what turns leadership from a role into a relationship. It’s not about being soft, it’s about seeing people, listening to them, supporting them – and designing experiences that respect both customers and colleagues.
The leaders who care deeply are often the ones who build the strongest teams and deliver the most sustainable results.
The impact matters
I’ve seen first-hand how purpose, integrity, and care can anchor leadership in even the most complex environments. Not as theoretical concepts, but as practical, powerful approaches to navigate difficult decisions, and deliver sustainable change and transformation that sticks.
This short series is my way of exploring these principles. How I try to lead, what I’ve learnt, and what I believe matters for the future of leadership.
Because the leaders who make the biggest difference aren’t necessarily the loudest, or the most polished. They are the ones who lead with clarity, stay grounded in their values, and show up – consistently, and with care – for the people they serve.
That’s the kind of leadership I believe in.
That’s the kind of leader I want to follow.
That's the kind of leader I'll continue to work at being.
Join me in the conversation
I’d love to hear your perspective. Do these principles resonate, or would you choose something different for how you think about leadership? What do you think today’s challenges are really calling for?
And finally, thank you to Olly, Itamar, Sian, Emily, and the rest of the team at Engine for creating the space to reflect so honestly in our recent podcast. Sometimes one question is all it takes to spark a bigger conversation.
