Purpose 29
Further, it should contribute to the ‘‘progress and development of soci-
ety and the well-being of people... thereby enhancing the quality of
life throughout the world.’’^2
Matsushita’s first really successful product was a bicycle light in the
1920s. Perhaps his purpose at that time was to make the world’s best
bicycle light. He could not have built his multibillion-dollar business
empire without having developed a larger purpose.
‘‘A’’ PLAYERS WITHAUDACIOUSGOALS
Jack Welch of GE wrote that the effective leader leads through a vision.
Like King David, he constantly sought to field teams of ‘‘A’’ players.
Central to being an ‘‘A’’ player is a sense of purpose: ‘‘At the leadership
level, an ‘A’ is a man or woman with a vision and the ability to articulate
that vision to the team, so vividly and powerfully that it becomes their
vision.’’^3
The Bible is full of A’s, all of whom had a specific role to play in
forwarding the purpose of their people. If you look closely at what
each accomplished, you will agree that most of the leaders of the Bible
committed themselves to what James Collins and Jerry Porras call
BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals), in their bookBuilt to Last(a title
that certainly applies to the Judeo-Christian tradition and the Bible it-
self ). The Bible abounds with players who would have easily qualified
for Jack Welch’s ‘‘A’’ team. And each of these A’s has modern counter-
parts who also dare to challenge the limits of the possible and sometimes
accomplish the seemingly impossible. Our modern leaders often have
to cross the Red Sea, navigate vast wildernesses, and fight off larger,
better-equipped armies before they are able to march into the Promised
Land.
Daniel was a man with unshakeable purpose. He worshiped the God
he believed in despite the punishment he knew he would receive for it.
He believed the Lord would deliver him from the lions’ den, but he
vowed he would keep his faith in the Lord and maintain his purpose
even if he wasnotdelivered.