Common Purpose and the Social Change Model

It seems that every chapter we read comes at the perfect moment in my presidency as the leader of Chi Phi. The first week we read an overview of the social change model, then we began diving into each and every one of the seven C's that go along with that.  This week on Common Purpose hit home for me because Common Purpose is why we are an organization right now, and Common Purpose is what will sustain us for years to come. Our biggest issue as a fraternity right now has been recruiting.  We can sit here and make excuses that we don't have a house, or we are a small group, or we don't have a strong backbone.  The fact of the matter is that people join people, and want to find a community or group with whom they can align themselves.  After reading through chapter 7 and watching Simon Sinek's "Ted Talk" on "finding your why", it became clear on how to approach people about being a part of my organization.  The attention span of the human race is ridiculously short, and nobody will remember facts, figures, and history that I am spewing out at them in a conversation.  These recruits, are going to remember an engaging conversation with someone that they like, and remember "Oh hey, that guy was a Chi Phi, I loved that conversation, I want to be in his fraternity."

Common Purpose is such a key element to leadership but so often overlooked. The best conversations in life, and the best people you will meet are the ones that you can identify a common purpose with.  Like the book said, "No matter what relational problems arise, a group with a well articulated, meaningful, and relevant Common Purpose will always have something linking its members together."  So as the semester wears on, it will be my goal to not only revisit our Common Purpose several times, but to also refine and build depth as well.