Is Chief Purpose Officer Just Another Title? Think Again.
We're living in a time of profound change. Traditional business models are buckling under the weight of 21st-century challenges, and purpose is the answer. The data? It's undeniable:
Enter the Chief Purpose Officer (CPO)
Not a rebrand. Not CSR 2.0. Not ESG plus. This is a new business discipline—making purpose the engine of strategy, innovation, and growth.
CPOs are the architects of this transformation, ensuring their companies deliver on the full promise of their purpose. Their mandate is threefold: to protect against unintended harm in business execution, to ensure authentic care for all stakeholders, and to ensure that purpose and profit are natural allies, not competing forces.
A great CPO:
While still rare, some companies are already leading the way: Deloitte, Cisco, Hasbro, Intrepid Group, Calm, and S&P Global. Each is taking a unique approach, from embedding purpose in operations to aligning it with social impact and customer experience. But this is just the beginning. As the discipline evolves, so too will the responsibilities of CPOs—expanding into areas like financial performance, go-to-market strategy, innovation leadership, employee engagement, and public policy strategy. The CPO role is poised to redefine how organizations create and sustain value in a rapidly changing world.
Think Peter Drucker forging management, or Michael Porter pioneering strategy. Today, we're creating the discipline of purpose. Every business discipline began with a visionary who rethought the status quo. This one begins with you.
Whether you're creating this role or stepping into it, you're shaping the future of business.
Are you ready to lead? Let's do this together.
Business Analyst & Project Management CIB at BNP Paribas Fortis
8mowishing you the best Axel
Founder & CEO, Executive Woman Media | Strategic Advisor | Corporate Partnership Expert | Best Selling Author
8moCongratulations on your innovative path forward!!
Global Executive Advisor | Digital Futurist | Bridging Strategy & Execution with AI-Driven Insights | Delivering Measurable Impact & Accelerated ROI| Investor | Author | Speaker
8moHi Shari, I loved your article and wanted to share two additional angles that could further strengthen the case for the Chief Purpose Officer (CPO): 1. Restoring Trust In an era of growing skepticism, the CPO plays a crucial role in rebuilding trust by aligning corporate values with stakeholder expectations. 2. Attracting Purpose-Driven Talent Cultural transformation is key, and highlighting the CPO’s role in attracting Millennials and Gen Z, who prioritize purpose over paychecks, could make the case even stronger. Thanks for such an insightful data-backed piece!
Speaker & Panelist | Professional Development Coach | Human Design Advisor & Analyst | Emotional Intelligence and Diversity Thought Leader
8moGlad to see that the future is finally here, I’ve been waiting on this. Currently as a Chief Diversity Officer and throughout my various roles over the decades, I’ve referred to and lead with this notion of bridging that gap. I have labeled my leadership style and approach as #BusinessSociology, leveraging my BA in Sociology and my MBA in HR Management.
Collaborative Moral Inquiry 🐢
8moIt’s a pleasure to see your vision continue to expand! There is such a huge opportunity to weave this connective tissue throughout organizations through the CPO role.