Work That Moves Us

#1 When Corporate and Humanitarian Leadership Ask the Same Questions


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Why does purpose at work often sound right, but feel so difficult to live day to day?


In this first episode of Purposeful Futures, Linda and Aga explore what happens when leaders from corporate and humanitarian worlds realise they’re wrestling with the same questions about purpose, belonging, and leadership. Through honest stories from crisis response and corporate life, they reflect on why connection matters more than control, and why purpose isn’t something you declare, but something you practice.


What you’ll hear (and why it matters):

• Why caring about purpose doesn’t always make work feel meaningful

• What leadership in crisis reveals about trust, care, and human connection

• The gap between purpose on the wall and how work actually feels

• Why leaders across very different sectors face the same frustrations

• What it means to lead in a way that feels human, even when systems fall short


Key Moments:

[00:00] “I care about purpose… so why does work still feel off?” Why leaders in different worlds feel the same quiet disconnect

[01:20] When connection matters more than control

A humanitarian leadership story that changes how we think about care and performance

[04:10] When everything looks good on the outside, but doesn’t feel right on the inside The reality behind polished purpose and “painting the grass green”

[11:22] Realising you’re not the problem, the system is

Why corporate and humanitarian leaders struggle with the same tensions

[16:56] Purpose isn’t a slogan. It’s how you show up.

What leading with purpose really means, and an invitation to stay connected


Resources & Links

• Join the our Purposeful Futures community: https://go.touchingdistance.com/purposeful-futures-membership

• Follow the hosts on LinkedIn for future episodes and reflections

Linda: www.linkedin.com/in/linda-steinbock-a8554930

Aga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnieszka-pociecha/ 


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Work That Moves UsBy Purposeful Futures