There is a consensus among business thought leaders that organizations must focus on more than just profit to be successful. A growing body of research shows that both employees and customers are more loyal to leaders and organizations that have a compelling higher purpose.

Unfortunately, most leaders have no way to act on this knowledge. According to HBR, 50% of corporate managers distrust their company’s vision.

In one of my favorite research projects, scientists from Harvard showed the very practical implications of changing our story. Eighty-four hotel maids were divided into two groups. Researchers carefully examined the daily tasks of the workers, determining how many calories those tasks burned. Members of the group were told that the activities they performed every day met the surgeon general's definition of an active lifestyle, but the members of the second group weren’t given any information.

Do you enjoy reading the news these days? I - not so much. This week I realized why: I am in opposition. I am on the outside. Being on the opposite side, being on the outside is being without love.

I realized my pain comes from being out of love with the world. Let me explain.

Imagine you and me standing on the deck of an ocean liner slipping across the Atlantic from London to New York straight as the crow flies. As it cuts through the wavelets, the massive ship shifts 0.1 degrees to the left. 

“I know everything about everything, yet I can't change my behavior.” - said Peter, a client in San Francisco, through gritted teeth. 

I met his eyes and started nodding inadvertently. That was exactly how I felt before I started exploring the borders of my consciousness.