ARTICLES ABOUT PURPOSE

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) sparks divided opinions. Some see it as the harbinger of our downfall, while others view it as the breakthrough humanity needs to tackle global challenges. This debate mirrors the skepticism seen during the introduction of mobile phones. In 1999, the majority of people stated they didn’t want a mobile phone. Yet, by 2002, over 50% of people in Western countries owned one. I believe AI brings both opportunities and threats. Yes, there a

Many well-known leaders are often credited with qualities such as passion, discipline, perseverance, determination and resilience. Leadership programs, training centers and business books are full of people who want to develop those qualities, hoping that if they become more disciplined, more resilient or more persistent, they will also become stronger and more successful leaders. But when you study the kind of leaders I call Silent Authority Thought Leaders, something intere

On August 24, 2024, Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, was unjustly arrested upon his arrival at Le Bourget Airport in France. The arrest came as a shock to many, as Durov appears to be targeted by European authorities solely for his steadfast commitment to privacy and freedom of speech. Under the guise of alleged criminal activities such as drug trafficking, fraud, and even child pornography, this courageous and purposeful entrepreneur is now being held, with a potential

In a time when most tech giants are guilty of data collection, selling personal information, and bending to the will of governments, one man stands unwavering in his principles: Pavel Durov. As the founder and CEO of Telegram, he has not only created a messaging app loved by hundreds of millions of users worldwide, but he has also built a beacon of ethical entrepreneurship that shines a light in an industry often dominated by greed and power plays. Without loud marketing or p

The giants of the tech world—Alphabet (the parent company of Google and YouTube), Meta (the parent company of Facebook), and their associated enterprises—are no longer the unblemished pioneers they once were. What started as companies proudly displaying their ethical compass has devolved into powerful entities that have neglected their own moral foundations. Under the guise of "Ethical Fading," these companies have abandoned their original ideals, driven by an insatiable hung

There is a well-known story in which you receive €86,400 in a bank account every morning. You can spend the money that day, but you cannot save or transfer any of it. At midnight, whatever remains disappears. The following morning, another €86,400 arrives, until the bank suddenly decides to close the account without warning. The money represents the 86,400 seconds in a day. Whatever you fail to use today will not be returned tomorrow. It is a powerful comparison. It is also o

How much money is needed to eradicate poverty worldwide? $100 million, $1 billion, $1 trillion? In 1983, a man in Bangladesh believed that $27 was enough to start making a difference. Now, nearly 40 years later, he hasn't solved global poverty, but he has made a significant contribution. This is the story of Professor Muhammad Yunus from Bangladesh, who founded the Grameen Bank. The bank, as they say themselves, is for the poor and was the initiator of microcredits. His motto

In recent decades, the business world has shown a remarkable obsession with the 'WHY'—the so-called purpose behind an enterprise. This trend, strongly popularized by Simon Sinek's insights and his Golden Circle theory, has prompted many entrepreneurs to reconsider their own motivating forces. However, despite sometimes high investments in coaching and workshops, many end up with nothing more than a set of attractive-sounding but ultimately hollow statements. This outcome serv

It could be me, the type of friends I have, or simply because I have a lot of friends, but a lot of them don't like me at all. I find my experience of the past week very illustrative of the times in which we live. Everywhere you hear that people prefer part-time work, but it seems that I am surrounded by people who are always busier than busy. Even during the weekend. Or they've been so busy during the week that they spend the weekend exhausted on the couch. People can be too

We live in a world where ambition is not only praised but often seen as an essential ingredient for success. On the surface, ambition promises us glory, recognition, and material prosperity. But scrape away that shiny surface and there is often a different story underneath: one of sacrifice, exhaustion, and sometimes unfulfilled dreams. For many, the pursuit of ambition is a double-edged sword, driving them on the one hand and threatening to swallow them on the other. This ar

If you have no customers, you have no business, so "you must always put the customer first" is the old mantra. If your business was purely driven by financial gain, you would be absolutely right. But is this still something that holds true today? Or are there other ways to make damn good money? In recent weeks, a new bankruptcy storm raged through the Dutch landscape. A storm that is blowing harder than ever and that is unfortunately not limited to just the Netherlands. Inde

It was a holiday like many others, in a place I loved and had been to before. Koh Chang, with its white sandy beaches, shimmering blue waters, and swaying palm trees, was an oasis of calm. The locals greeted me with warm smiles and the rhythm of the Thai island brought a serene calm. But as it often goes with traveling, it is not always the obvious sights that are the most memorable, but the unexpected moments that touch your soul. I remember taking a scooter ride along the

Launching a startup is an adventure that involves much more than just bringing an idea to life. It's a journey that takes you through a landscape filled with uncertainties, where every decision can weigh heavily and every challenge tests your resilience. The financial pressures, the competition, finding the right team, and constantly adapting to changing market conditions are just a few of the many hurdles a startup founder might face. The humorous statement, "I sleep like a

In a cake-eating contest, it doesn't matter who wins or loses, because either way, you get to eat cake. This simple yet profound observation can teach us a lot about the modern workplace. Imagine sitting at a table, in front of you is a moist chocolate cake. The scent of freshly baked dough fills the air. You're surrounded by others, some are friends, others strangers. But one thing you all have in common: a love for cake. When the starting signal sounds, everyone begins to e

Creativity and purpose are intertwined and influence each other in different ways within businesses. Thanks to the combination of purpose and creativity, we experience more personal fulfillment: When people use their creativity in a way that aligns with their sense of purpose, they often experience a greater sense of satisfaction and personal fulfillment. This can be seen in artists who use their craft to express deeply held beliefs or scientists who use their innovative th

How great is it if you can use your hobby to raise funds for charities close to your heart? The Climbing Règâhs is a cycling group of friends that has already raised more than 600,000,- Euros since 2011. Read below the inspiring story of people who have turned their hobby into a sponsor-raising campaign. The chairman of the De Klimmende Règâhs Foundation, Rob Engelhard, has lost three family members to cancer. This has motivated him to continue the fight against this disease