The Y and Purpose-Driven Leadership. Why Purpose Is the Real Power Move!

The Y and Purpose-Driven Leadership;  Why Purpose Is the Real Power Move.   Libby Ekre

 Leadership is not about a title, authority, or control, but rather inspiring, empowering, and moving a group in a common direction of growth. Leadership begins with one quiet, life-shaping question: 

Why do you do what you do? 

Your “why” is the invisible and internal engine behind every decision you make, every conversation you hold, and every moment you choose to show up with care instead of convenience. It is the difference between managing tasks and actually leading people. The spelling of Bryten with a ‘Y’ was added by design; it is an ongoing visual representation of our ‘why’. 

Purpose Changes Everything 

People do not wake up energized and ready by the thought of implementing policies and procedures.  They wake up energized by meaning and purpose, causing us to act in ways that create real impact on everyone we encounter. Our Y is an internal motivation and fulfillment that is far beyond financial gain. Our Y connects us to what matters most and shapes the impact we make in our daily roles. 

Because leadership inherently carries a "multiplier effect", when a leader makes a choice, the consequences ripple out to affect the lives, livelihoods, and well-being of others.  It is exceptionally important for leaders to understand their Y. It helps to sustain the weight of their responsibilities and their impact on others.  

Leadership actually starts long before a title shows up on a business card. It starts with the Y. The Y is the reason you do what you do. It’s the internal compass that guides decisions when things are unclear and keeps you steady when the work gets hard. Purpose-driven leadership is not about authority. It’s about alignment. When leaders understand their Y, their actions carry clarity and consistency for their roles and the teams they support.  Their Y aligns with their daily routine. 

At Bryten, the Y matters because people matter. Teams, residents, clients, vendor partners and communities all feel the difference when leadership is rooted in purpose instead of pressure. 

What the Y Really Means 

Your Y is not a job description or a productive metric. It’s the deeper motivation behind how you show up every day. For some, the Y is creating stability for others. 
While others may feel, it is building environments where people feel seen and supported. 
And for many, it’s knowing that the work they do improves someone’s daily life, even in small ways.  It’s the smile that made a difference in a tough day or the time taken to mentor and give guidance for career growth. When leaders know their Y, they lead with intention. Trust grows naturally because people can feel when leadership is anchored in genuine care. 

Purpose Shows Up in the Everyday 

Purpose-driven leadership is not reserved for big moments. It shows up in day-to-day moments. It’s how feedback is delivered, be it positive recognition or constructive improvement. Tough conversations need to be had, but they can be handled with care and diplomacy. Leadership is how challenges are managed and resolved; also listening, responding, and following through with the things you said you would do. A leader who understands their Y doesn’t lead from their reactions. They lead from values which create consistency, and that consistency builds confidence across teams. 

The Y Creates Stronger Teams 

When leaders are clear on their purpose, the teams they lead feel it and expectations are transparent. Teams sense when support feels authentic and their growth becomes a shared goal, vs a one-sided mandate. Purpose-driven leaders develop people. They create space for others to find their own Y and connect it to their role. This is powerful because it turns jobs into careers and coworkers into collaborators. 

Leadership Without a Title 

Purpose-driven leadership is not limited to Senior leaders and executives. Some of the strongest leaders don’t have leadership in their job titles at all.  

In fact, a leasing professional who understands their Y may see their role as helping someone feel at home during a stressful transition. His or Her Y might have very personal implications. This is when leasing is no longer about the walls of the unit. It is about people choosing where they will sleep, celebrate, recover, grow, and make memories. He or she is guiding someone through a move, which is one of life’s most vulnerable transitions. Moving often comes with stress, uncertainty, hope, and a lot of questions. When a leasing professional leads with purpose, they listen deeply, explain patiently, and create a sense of belonging before keys are ever handed over. That is leadership. This directly ties to our belief; that Home is our specialty.   

 A maintenance team member may be driven by pride in creating safe, functional spaces where families live their lives. They lead by noticing what others might miss, responding with urgency, and treating every work order and emergency response as a family waiting on the other side. Their leadership is consistency, craftsmanship, and follow through. It shows residents they matter through action, not words. 

 A community manager may lead with a purpose rooted in service and accountability. They lead teams through busy days, difficult conversations, and unexpected moments without losing sight of the people impacted by every decision. When people understand their Y, they move into a mindset, and not a position. 

Why the Y Matters More Than Ever 

Work is changing. Expectations are changing. People want meaning in what they do and authenticity from those they follow. Purpose-driven leadership meets that moment and brings humanity back into leadership. It reminds us that success is not only measured by outcomes, but by how those outcomes are achieved and who is impacted along the way.  

When you start with your Y, Leadership feels lighter, work feels human, and you recognize that your impact is very real.  Bryten leaders show up intentionally, act with purpose, and lead with love and care.  

Now Ask Yourself 

Why did I choose this work? 
Who do I protect, serve, support, encourage or uplift? 
What would I still care about even if no one was watching? 

Your “why” is already there.  When you lead from it, everything changes.