Purpose doesn t compete it unites Meaning Factcheck Usage

Context

In the book, this isn’t just a nice-sounding phrase. It’s a practical principle. They use it to explain why defining a team’s shared purpose is so critical—it’s the antidote to the infighting and silos that cripple so many organizations. It’s the glue.

Usage Examples

I use this all the time in my work. Here’s how it plays out:

• For a Leadership Team: When two VPs are fighting over budget, I reframe the conversation. Instead of “Why does your department deserve more?”, I ask “How does each of your proposals serve our shared company purpose?” It completely changes the dynamic.
• For Marketing & Sales Alignment: Instead of marketing blaming sales for not following up on leads and sales blaming marketing for bad leads, a unifying purpose like “to help local businesses thrive” makes them partners in solving a customer problem, not adversaries.
• For Personal Career Coaching: I tell clients feeling stuck in competitive industries to stop trying to be better than everyone else. Instead, focus on how their unique purpose can serve a specific niche. It unites them with their ideal clients and differentiates them authentically.

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FAQ

Question: But isn’t some competition healthy for business?

Answer: Absolutely. But healthy competition is best directed outward at a market problem or a competitor, not inward at your colleagues. Purpose aligns everyone to face the external challenge together.

Question: How do you find this kind of unifying purpose?

Answer: That’s the whole point of the book! It’s a process of discovery, not invention. You look for the recurring themes in your successes, the stories that people tell about you, the impact you have when you’re at your best.

Question: Can this work in a highly competitive, sales-driven environment?

Answer: It’s actually more important there. A team united by a purpose like “to empower our clients’ success” will outperform a team of lone wolves just fighting for commissions every single time. They share knowledge, cover for each other, and build a reputation that attracts better clients.