Episode 38 of the Rawthentic Leadership Podcast is a must for anyone who is looking to find or further develop meaning and purpose in their lives, be it personal or professional. My guest, Professor Debbie Haski-Leventhal, MBA Director at Macquarie University shares her extraordinary story of family tragedy and what it meant to become members of a cult-like organisation and the trauma that ensued.

This is a story with a dramatic upturn and hence the topic of our conversation, the essence of meaningfulness in leadership.

Here are some highlights from our conversation:-

• Being born into tragedy
• Debbie’s introduction to the Kabbalah Centre and what it meant to the family
• ‘Spreading the light’ and ‘Ploughing’
• Breaking free and life ‘post Kabbalah’
• The project that changed everything
• Debbie’s education pathway and research into volunteering
• The darkest of hours - knitting the parachute
• Overcoming the fear of death
• Filling the void
• The difference between meaning and meaningfulness
• The T.I.P model for leading a more purposeful life (and lost of practical examples)
• Three power questions to ask in finding your passion
• Exploring CSR (Corporate and Social Responsibility) and organisational purpose
• Finding meaning at work
• Becoming a purpose-driven business and the role of leaders
• Instrumental versus moral motivation/obligation
• The consequences of green or rainbow washing
• Debbie’s role as MBA Director Macquarie University and bringing CSR into the MBA

Debbie’s book ‘Make it Meaningful’ How to find Purpose in Life and Work

Debbie’s TEDx Talk ‘The Purpose Driven University’ (15m 12s)

Debbie’s website

LinkedIn

Instagram

Twitter

References made in the podcast

Happiness and its Causes Conference 16th & 17th November Sydney - Debbie will be speaking on Day 1

‘Educated’ by Tara Westover

Immanuel Kant’s 4 Categorical Imperatives

#purposedrivenleadership #impactleadership #meaning #meaningfulness #purpose #impact #csr