There’s a quiet ache that many school leaders carry, but rarely speak aloud.

It sounds like this:

“I got into this work to make a difference… but somewhere along the way, that spark got buried beneath a mountain of meetings, mandates, and metrics.”

As educational leaders, we often talk about “finding our purpose” in our roles—guiding our schools, supporting our teams, and nurturing the next generation.

We give graduation talks to seniors about how they should “find their purpose” out in the world. We read books that help us identify our purpose.

But then, somewhere along the way, at some point in the grind of the work, we too often feel as if we have lost our purpose

Lost the meaning, the value, the passion, the love of the work we do in our role as a school leader

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone

Purpose, for many of us, isn’t gone—it’s just been crowded out

It’s tempting to think we need a new mission statement or strategic plan to rediscover our purpose

But purpose doesn’t live in documents

It lives in practice.

Purpose isn’t a static noun to be found, but a dynamic verb to be practiced

There is an entire branch of philosophy--Existentialism--that is rooted in the idea that our existence precedes our essence. That it is up to us to create, not just find, our sense of purpose and meaning in the world. 

Purpose, in its deepest form, isn’t something that sits passively waiting to be discovered like a hidden treasure or pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

Instead, it is about living out that which generates purpose

When we return to the original etymological roots of the word “purpose” we find this:

purposen, "to intend (to do or be something); put forth for consideration, propose," from Anglo-French purposer "to design,"

Purpose, therefore, in its original connotation, is linked to the active concept of designing, intending, creating

It is something that appears as we do the work

When we view purpose merely as a fixed destination, we run the risk of waiting for clarity or a feeling of arrival that may never come. We become stagnant, questioning if our work truly matters. We start to feel purposeless, feeling less and less purpose the longer we stay in the role

But when we recognize purpose as a practice, we begin to generate meaning in intentional, deliberate ways 

When we treat purpose as a practice, we shift from being passive seekers to active creators of meaning

We seek out opportunities that provide purpose

We keep our eyes open for purposeful moments, people, and opportunities that generate the optimism, enthusiasm, and joy we long to have in our work (and ourselves)

We create environments that reflect what truly matters to us—whether that’s fostering meaningful relationships, driving innovation, or prioritizing student well-being

Purpose becomes the lens through which we lead and interact, shaping everything from our strategic vision to our everyday conversations.

Purpose becomes both a North Star and a road map.

Both a target and the process. 

We have to stop treating purpose like a destination we’re trying to reach—and start treating it like a path we’re committed to walk

For many school administrators, the sense of why—the very reason they stepped into leadership—can begin to feel distant or even lost

What’s needed isn’t just a new goal or strategy

What’s needed is a return to seeing purpose not as something we find, but as a lived, daily practice.

Purpose as a practice requires intentionality

It means leading from meaning, not just managing from metrics.

To purpose purpose-full leadership, don’t ask “What is my purpose?”

Instead, consider asking:

• Where did I feel most aligned today? Most alive?

• What am I saying yes to—and is it serving what I care about most?

• Where do I feel seen, heard, or valued?

• How am I pursuing purpose—personally and professionally?

• Where am I cultivating meaning in my life, in my relationships, and in my role as a leader?

• What opportunities can I pursue that generate meaning and purpose for me?

• How am I fostering a culture where others can find purpose, too?

These aren’t just questions—they’re invitations.

Invitations to slow down

To return to what matters

To lead from meaning, not just momentum

Practical Pathways to Practicing Purpose

Here are five tangible ways to start cultivating purpose this week:

1. Create Space for Stories
   Invite a staff member or student to share what’s giving them energy or meaning right now. Stories are the soul of a school—and reconnect us to why we’re here.

2. Revisit Your “Why” File
   Pull out those thank-you notes, photos, or moments you’ve collected over the years. Let them remind you that your work matters—deeply.

3. Anchor a Meeting in Meaning
   Start your next leadership team meeting with a reflection:
   “Where have you seen purpose in action this week?”
   Watch how the energy shifts.

4. Walk the Campus with Intentional Presence
   Take 15 minutes to walk the halls or playground—not to observe, but simply to be present. Greet students by name. Check in with a teacher without an agenda. Presence is powerful—and a quiet way to affirm purpose through connection.

5. Celebrate Purpose, Not Just Performance
   In your next newsletter or staff email, highlight a moment where someone embodied the school’s core values—compassion, resilience, creativity—not just academic or behavioral achievements. Purpose flourishes when we name and notice what truly matters.

Final Thought

Purpose isn’t something you find once and keep forever

It’s something you return to again and again—
in silence and in struggle,
in celebration and in sorrow

It’s not a luxury for idealists.

It’s the fuel for enduring leadership

And when we practice it—consistently, courageously—we not only become more fulfilled leaders…

We become the kind of leaders the world deeply needs right now.

Stay rooted. Stay real. Stay purposeful.

With you on the journey,

Dr. Scott Martin

Here’s how I am pursuing, rather than merely finding, purpose as an educational leader:

I am participating in Harvard Graduate School’s Professional Development “Mental Health in Schools: Building Systems of Care” Program this June

I am traveling to Copenhagen to do research with the team at the Happiness Research Institute studying the connection between education, happiness, and well-being

I am spending 5 days rafting on the Salmon River with a group of school heads led by the amazing team at World Leadership School in July

Those are active, actionable ways I am pursuing purpose

What about you?

How are you pursuing purpose in your role as a school leader?

I’d love to hear in the comments!

A Few Things Worth Sharing

If you are looking to find deeper purpose and meaning in your role as a school leader, I am opening up the next administrative leadership cohort for the 2025/26 school year

I work with school leaders to help them find greater fulfillment, meaning, purpose, and connection in their work as educational administrators.

If you would like more information on joining us, visit https://www.drscottamartin.com/ to learn more or reach out directly to schedule a free call to chat

TESTIMONIAL: “Dr. Scott Martin has been a generous and insightful guide in our journey to build Evergreen Academy. His experience, humility, and heart for transformation make him a valuable partner for any leader reimagining education” --Matina Hunnell Co-founder, Evergreen Academy

AND…I Wrote A Book On The Journey I Took To Start A School!!!

It is called “The Edupreneur’s Field Guide” and it gives you the blueprint to do something really purposeful in education!

You can buy the ebook at the following link: