Published Date: 30th September 2025
In today’s high-pressure working world, it is easy to lose sight of what really drives us. Many professionals find themselves in survival mode, carrying heavy workloads, navigating constant change, and shouldering responsibility without always feeling fulfilled by the work they do.
To explore how leaders and professionals can reconnect with meaning, I had the privilege of hosting an exclusive webinar with my friend, leadership coach, author and consultant Dr Harold Hillman. With over two decades of experience coaching senior leaders worldwide, and as the author of six leadership books, Harold shared practical insights from his latest release Passion & Purpose: Leading and Living Life with Greater Fulfilment. You can purchase your copy through this link.
The session attracted close to 1,200 participants, a clear sign of how relevant and timely the conversation has become.
Passion: Finding Flow in what Fuels you
Listening to Harold unpack the idea of passion, describing it as those moments when we are “in flow” and completely absorbed in an activity that fuels rather than drains us. Harold shared personal stories, from friends whose love of gardening gives them endless energy to his grandson Dean, whose creativity in the kitchen at just 11 years old already shows the makings of a future chef.
These examples highlight a bigger truth: passion is often tied to our natural aptitudes. Some people are wired verbally, some numerically, others artistically, mechanically or physically. When our work taps into those strengths, it energises us. When it does not, we can quickly feel drained.
It reinforced for me that as leaders, we have a responsibility to consider whether our people’s roles are aligned with their strengths. When we create opportunities for people to use their natural talents, they feel more fulfilled and the whole organisation benefits. Creating space for individuals to use their inherent strengths is not just personally fulfilling, it is also key to building motivated, resilient teams.
Purpose: The Power of Why
Turning to purpose, Harold drew on Simon Sinek’s Golden Circle to illustrate the importance of starting with why. Early in our careers, many of us often focus on what we do and how we do it. Over time, true fulfilment comes from understanding why we are here and what difference we want to make.
Harold described this as a “personal reckoning,” which often happens in midlife. He compared it to tectonic plates shifting, a natural stage when people question whether their career truly aligns with their values. Far from being a crisis, it can be the beginning of greater clarity and renewed purpose.
I particularly valued Harold’s point that purpose is not fixed. His challenge to write our purpose in ten words or less struck me as both simple and transformative - something I’ve reflected on personally since the session.
Thriving Versus Surviving
Another message that stood out was Harold’s distinction between two very different workplace realities: thriving versus surviving. Surviving means keeping your head down, avoiding attention, and focusing solely on making it to Friday. Thriving, by contrast, means ending the week energised rather than depleted. It comes from belonging, recognition, and clarity of purpose.
It is common in environments where bullying, lack of belonging, or fatigue from constant digital connection erode, creating survival mode. He noted how insomnia is now a growing global health concern, worsened by technology that blurs the boundary between work and rest.
As Harold reminded us, leaders who focus only on pay and performance risk missing the bigger picture. I found his link to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs especially powerful - people cannot reach higher levels of purpose if their basic needs for rest and safety are not met.
Harold also reflected on how our definition of happiness changes over time. Earlier in life, success is often measured by quantity (income, promotions and titles). Later, quality becomes more important (enjoying life, valuing relationships and connecting with purpose) something I have learnt throughout my own career.
The Trust Triangle: Building Human Connection
Trust was at the centre of Harold’s message. Drawing on both modern leadership research and Aristotle’s classic principles of persuasion, Harold described his Trust Triangle, a model built on three essential elements:
Authenticity- being genuine and consistent across settings.
Empathy- listening to understand, not simply to respond.
Logic- bringing people with you through clear reasoning.
When all three elements are working together, relationships deepen, and teams grow stronger. It was a timely reminder for me, and I suspect for many who joined us, that leadership is ultimately about human connection.
Adversity, Resilience and No Regrets
Harold spoke openly about the role of adversity in shaping resilience, reminding us that even painful experiences often become the foundation for growth. While challenges can feel overwhelming in the moment, they often leave us with perspective and wisdom. “No pain, no gain”.
I was particularly moved by his reference to Bronnie Ware’s Top Five Regrets of the Dying. It reminded me, as I’m sure it did for others, of the importance of living authentically, staying connected with those who matter most, and allowing ourselves to embrace happiness without waiting for “the right time.”
What the Audience wanted to Know
Facilitating the Q&A gave me insight into what many professionals are grappling with right now. Questions ranged from managing imposter syndrome to finding clarity of purpose earlier in life, to whether passion and purpose shift as we grow older.
Imposter syndrome: Many asked how to manage self-doubt even when capable and successful. Harold explained that perfectionism and high achievement often fuel these feelings. The solution, he said, is to normalise the experience and talk about it, reminding ourselves that most people feel it at some stage in their careers. Harold has also written a book on Imposter Syndrome and becoming an Authentic Leader which you can purchase here, which I would highly recommend for those who want to explore this further.
Clarity of purpose: Some wanted to know whether moments of reckoning could be accelerated. Harold noted that while time and experience play a role, reflection, mentoring and life coaching can bring earlier insights into what truly matters.
Privilege and purpose: A powerful question asked how purpose can be meaningful for those facing constraints such as solo parenting or financial hardship. Harold acknowledged the impact of privilege but reminded participants that purpose does not always come from grand gestures. Small contributions, such as volunteering, mentoring, or supporting community, can still be deeply meaningful.
Changing passions: Another theme was whether passion and purpose shift with age. Harold confirmed that they evolve, shaped by new experiences and perspectives. What drives us in our twenties may not be what matters most in our fifties. Leaders, he said, should recognise and support this natural evolution.
Hearing these questions reinforced for me how universal these challenges are - and how important it is to talk about them.
Key Takeaways
As the session closed, Harold left us with three guiding insights:
Discover your passions early and revisit them often.
Live with intent, and do not be a passenger in your own life.
Map your purpose in ten words or less and let it evolve.
Continuing the Conversation
Hosting Harold for this conversation was a privilege. The ideas he shared have already prompted meaningful reflection for me, and I hope for many others who joined.
If you missed the live session, you can access the full recording below.
If you would like to discuss any of these points or find out how we can support you and your business, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
