Good Leaders Explain What and How. Great Leaders Explain Why.

Effective leadership isn’t being a dictator. It takes more than just telling your team what to do or how to do something. While clear instructions and delegation are necessary, the difference between a good leader and a great one comes down to one thing: purpose. Great leaders don’t just explain the what and the how—they also take time to explain why this task matters. Understanding the larger purpose and impact behind their work helps people stay more engaged, motivated, and aligned. Let’s talk about it.

The Power of the Why

When leaders focus on the why, they’re creating a pathway for a deeper connection to the organization’s mission. This connection doesn’t just help teams understand the immediate tasks at hand. It helps the team understand how their work contributes to the broader success of the organization. That sense of meaning boosts engagement, motivation, and encourages people to think bigger. Rather than just mindlessly completing tasks, they become active contributors. They become invested in the success of the team and the company because they understand where they fit into the puzzle.

Purpose Matters

A key part of Lead in 30 is that after you’ve created your TKRs, you need to “make the case.” This is building a persuasive case for your TKRs. The first crucial step is to “make the why compelling” to help team members see the reason behind each TKR. Research shows that having a strong sense of purpose behind a task will shift a person from needing to do a task to wanting to do it.

Communicating why that TKR was chosen and how it affects the overarching organizational goals helps people feel a greater sense of purpose and ownership. Focusing on the bigger picture helps leaders create clarity. This will directly translate to greater engagement and motivation for the team to complete the necessary tasks. A leader who communicates the why behind the mission inspires their team to work toward that shared goal. When teams are aligned with that larger purpose, they become more adaptable, driven, and united in their approach to overcoming challenges.

Why the “Why” Matters in Tough Times

The power of explaining the why becomes even more critical during times of uncertainty or change. Employees might struggle to navigate difficult circumstances if they don’t fully understand the reasons behind new strategies or shifts in priorities. This is where great leaders step in, providing clear instructions and explaining the why behind each decision. Doing so instills a sense of trust, reduces confusion, and makes transitions smoother.

A good leader gives instructions and ensures compliance, but a great leader engages their team at a deeper level, making sure they’re on board with both the method and the motivation. This level of transparency encourages ownership and autonomy, building trust and fostering resilience when things get tough.

Practical Tips to Lead With Purpose

Make the Case. Whether you’re launching a new project or setting TKRs, always start by explaining why the project or task is important. Help your team understand how their contributions fit into the larger strategy and company objectives.

Tie Individual Roles to the Bigger Picture. Don’t assume your team members understand how their specific roles affect the overall mission. Make it clear how their work connects to the organization’s success.

Encourage Questions. Inviting questions encourages open dialogue. It’s not enough to deliver a speech about the why—you need to create space for team members to ask questions and seek clarification, which helps them internalize the purpose. Remember, clarity is messy, and it happens out loud.

Regularly Revisit the Why. As projects progress and circumstances change, don’t let the why fall by the wayside. Regularly remind your team why their efforts matter, especially when challenges arise or the team is feeling burned out.

Lead by Example. If you want your team to embrace the why, ensure you embody that sense of purpose. Show enthusiasm for the larger mission and demonstrate through your actions that you’re fully committed to it.

In leadership, it’s easy to focus on the “what” and “how” because they feel more immediate. Great leaders know that the “why” is just as important to fostering long-term success. It drives alignment, clarity, and motivation, empowering teams to push beyond basic tasks and contribute to something larger than themselves. When leaders focus on purpose, they create an environment where individuals feel valued and inspired to take ownership, collaborate, and grow.