In celebration of AAPI Heritage Month, DDC team members had the privilege of joining other professionals within the Omnicom network for an insightful storytelling session on purposeful leadership. The session featured Lan Phan, the esteemed author of Do This Daily and founder of the Community of SEVEN.

Discovering the Heart of Purposeful Leadership
Lan Phan brings a unique perspective to the table as a Vietnamese-American and a woman entrepreneur. Her journey, marked by resilience and a relentless pursuit of purpose, offers invaluable lessons for business professionals seeking to infuse their leadership with meaning and impact.

The Power of Purpose
One of the key takeaways from Lan Phan’s webinar is the transformative power of finding and embracing one’s purpose. According to Lan, individuals who are purpose-driven can thrive in any circumstance. Purpose not only fuels passion but also provides clarity and direction, enabling leaders to navigate challenges with confidence and resilience.

The Stories We Tell Ourselves
Lan emphasized that the stories we tell ourselves have a profound impact on our destinies. In her words, these narratives shape our beliefs, behaviors, and ultimately, our outcomes. By consciously choosing empowering stories, leaders can cultivate a mindset that fosters growth, innovation, and a sense of possibility.

Creating Cultures of Purpose
Building cultures of purpose within organizations is another crucial aspect of Lan’s message. She shared practical insights on how leaders can inspire and engage their teams by fostering environments where purpose is central. This involves recognizing and nurturing individual strengths, promoting inclusivity, and encouraging collaboration and shared vision.

Playing it Big
Lan Phan’s advice to not “play it small” resonates deeply. She urges leaders to step boldly into their roles, embracing their unique contributions and striving for excellence in both professional and personal realms. This daring approach not only elevates individual performance but also catalyzes organizational success.

Reflection and Gratitude
We are immensely grateful for leaders like Lan Phan, whose experiences as a woman of color and an entrepreneur enrich our cultural and economic landscapes. Her insights help broaden our perspectives, encouraging us to lead with purpose and to create positive, lasting impacts in our communities.

Purposeful leadership is not merely a trend but a vital necessity in today’s dynamic business environment. As Lan Phan's webinar highlighted, finding one’s purpose, crafting empowering narratives, building cultures of purpose, and embracing boldness are essential steps toward becoming a truly impactful leader. As part of DDC's DEI initiatives through CLIMB, we are recommitting ourselves to take these lessons to heart and strive to lead with purpose every day.

Join the Conversation
How do you integrate purpose into your leadership style? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!

Purposeful Leadership: Lessons for DDC’s CLIMB Initiative from Lan Phan’s AAPI Heritage Month Webinar