Finding Your True North - Prayer and Perspective for 2026!

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I love coaching and mentoring! The discovery, the breakthroughs, the transformation that unfolds when someone commits to change over time—these are the moments that fuel my joy. While inspiration and epiphanies are wonderful to witness, what truly moves me is watching courage and dedication translate into lasting change. And then, celebrating together when someone reaches their destination? That’s pure joy.

What motivates us to pursue change remains something of a beautiful mystery. We’re holistic beings driven by survival, connection, meaning, purpose, and spiritual grounding—all while seeking the joy of progress along the way. Each sunrise offers hope for something new, fresh, and fulfilling.

Yet we’re also bound by realities that hold us back: limiting beliefs, clouded thinking, tangled emotions, and battles with our past. We’re complex, messy people carrying failings, weaknesses, and regrets. But here’s what amazes me: we possess unbelievable capacity, resilience, and reserves to press forward anyway.

For over fifteen years, my mornings have begun with prayer, reading, and reflection—pursuing perspective, wisdom, and courage for the day ahead. My longtime prayer is simple: “Father, give me the wisdom to work, courage to lead, and faith to believe.” This prayer reveals who I hope to become. More than any achievement, I want to be known as a man of faith, wisdom, and courage.

Now in my fifties, I’m more focused on the person I’m becoming than what I hope to accomplish. Yes, I have goals and places to go, but character matters most.

As you pursue your goals this year, I’m one of your biggest cheerleaders! But I encourage you to reflect: Why do these pursuits matter? How will they shape who you’re becoming?

Last year, I created the True North resource to help you reflect on your focus for the year. As we step into 2026, may it guide your journey toward authentic growth.

Happy New Year!

Download the TrueNorth Guide. Go to www.theadvance.net/truenorth

Finding Your TrueNorth: Leading with Vision, Mission, and Values

Monday morning launch

After barely catching our breath after an all too short weekend and our daily whirlwind of meetings, emails, and urgent tasks, it's crucial to pause and reflect on whether we're truly heading in the right direction. As leaders, it's too easy to get caught up in the urgent, often at the expense of the important. Our days can become a blur of secondary tasks, overshadowing our primary priorities.

Pause to Consider

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What's Your TrueNorth?

Every effective leader needs a TrueNorth—an internal compass that guides decisions, actions, and priorities regardless of the challenges that arise. Your TrueNorth consists of three essential elements: vision, mission, and values.

Your vision articulates where you're going—that horizon you're steadily moving toward. It's forward-looking and aspirational, painting a picture of what success looks like. A compelling vision statement doesn't just describe what you want to achieve; it inspires others to join you.

Your mission answers the fundamental question of why you exist as a leader. It integrates your values into actionable purposes. When clearly articulated, your mission becomes the filter through which you evaluate opportunities and make decisions.

Your values are the bedrock upon which your vision and mission stand. They are the unwavering principles that guide your leadership in every situation. When your values are crystal clear, even the most challenging decisions become straightforward, providing a sense of reassurance and confidence in your leadership.

The Power of Recalibration

I recently had the privilege of coaching Tamera, a senior executive transitioning into a cross-functional leadership role. Despite her success in sales and business development, she struggled to clarify her purpose in this new position.

"I feel like I'm drifting," she confessed during our session. "I know what needs to be done operationally, but I'm not sure why I'm the one who should be doing it."

We began by drafting her personal leadership mission. After several iterations, she said, "Build a better business for our people, benefit our community, and have fun." This wasn't just a collection of words but a declaration of purpose that aligned with her authentic voice and deepest values. Every phrase is 'double-clickable.' Each component contains a depth that you can expand upon when necessary.

A remarkable transformation took place as we delved deeper into refining her vision and values. Tamera's initial uncertainty gave way to a newfound sense of conviction and clarity, a powerful testament to the transformative power of clarity in leadership.

"This gives me language for what I've always believed but couldn't articulate," she said. "Now I can see how my new role connects to what matters most."

The transformation didn't stop there. With her TrueNorth established, we turned to her team restructuring plans. Previously, these had felt like mechanical organizational moves. They became strategic steps toward fulfilling her vision of creating career paths and developing future leaders.

Her approach to addressing high turnover also shifted. Rather than treating it as merely a problem to solve, she now saw it as an opportunity to build a workplace where people could thrive and grow—directly fulfilling her mission of "building a better business for our people."

Your Invitation to Clarity

Leadership without clarity is merely self-management. Authentic leadership is the first step in self-leadership beginning with knowing your destination and why it matters.

I invite you into your reflection process:

1. What is the horizon you're moving toward? What does success look like in 3-5 years?

2. Why do you do what you do? What purpose gives meaning to your work?

3. What are the non-negotiable principles that guide your decisions?

Write these down. Refine them. Test them with trusted colleagues. And most importantly, return to them regularly to ensure you're staying true to your course.

Like Tamera, you may find that this clarity transforms your leadership and renews your energy and passion for the work ahead.

Ready to find your TrueNorth? Download our complimentary TrueNorth Resource Guide to begin your journey toward purposeful leadership. This practical workbook will help you craft your vision, mission, and values statements and integrate them into your daily leadership practice.