The Power of Values-Based Leadership: Lead with Purpose and Align Your Work with What Matters Most

Many executives climb the ladder of business achievement only to realize it rests against the wrong wall. According to research, 89% of Gen Z and 92% of millennials say purpose is vital to job satisfaction and well-being. As these generations move into leadership roles, the demand for values-based leadership frameworks that connect personal purpose to professional success continues to grow.

So what does it look like to lead with clarity, and how can leaders shift from running successful businesses to running businesses that serve their lives?

Donald J. Glacy, the Founder and Mentor at Purpose Factory, shares his personal journey of rediscovering vision not through strategy sessions, but at the summit of Mount Rainier. In this candid sit-down, Glacy explains how Purpose Factory equips leaders to align business goals with life purpose, creating environments where belonging, self-awareness, and radical accountability replace isolation and inertia. The result is a model of values-based leadership that emphasizes integrity, clarity, and lasting personal fulfillment.

Key Insights:

  • Vision Beyond Revenue: Glacy shares how his vision shifted from business growth to legacy‑building, and how Purpose Factory helps others discover their deeper why.

  • From Isolation to Belonging: Leaders often carry silent burdens. Purpose Factory creates a space where vulnerability is not weakness but the gateway to alignment and strength.

  • Leadership as Identity Work: Success starts with self-awareness. Members are challenged to clarify who they are so they can lead authentically and design businesses that serve their life’s mission.

Donald J. Glacy is a seasoned executive coach, entrepreneur, and mentor known for helping leaders align their work with purpose and values. He built and scaled multiple businesses across marketing, technology, and executive development, including founding the first 24/7 integrated marketing execution center and serving as a Vistage Chair. Today, he leads Purpose Factory, guiding growth-oriented leaders through values-based leadership, strategic clarity, and personal transformation.

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