Every morning, millions wake up to careers that don’t inspire them, trudging through days with no personal development. Yet, there exists a means to live outside this personal stagnation: the power of discovering and living by one’s ‘why’. We explored this concept in-depth through an interview with Emma Lamb, CEO of 4 Leaf Performance.
In this blog, we dive deep into Emma’s personal development. Her insights offer invaluable lessons on how understanding and aligning with our deepest motivations can lead to not just a successful career, but a fulfilling life journey.
The Power of Why: Our CEO’s Journey to Purpose-Driven Success
Imagine waking up every morning, filled with passion and clarity about your work. This isn’t a far-fetched fantasy; it’s the reality for those who have discovered their “why.” In this interview, we sit down with Emma Lamb, CEO of Four Leaf Performance, who transformed her career trajectory by understanding her core motivations. Emma’s journey is not just about professional success; it’s a narrative about finding one’s true calling through clarity in her purpose.Discovering the WHY.OS
“The WHY.OS is a concept that helps you understand who you are at your core and how you communicate your values. It’s based on identifying your “why,” which is like your driving force, your “how,” which is your internal operating system—you can kind of see that as a computer, like the tech that works within it—and your “what.” So it’s your external messaging system. The WHY.OS is the full 3D image of your unique combination of these elements. So it’s kind of an all-encompassing thing about yourself and how you operate.”
This system played a crucial role in her own personal development and career transformation, providing a comprehensive view of her professional identity and aspirations.
Unveiling the Layers of Personal and Professional Identity
Emma’s explanation of the WHY.OS opens up a fascinating perspective on career development. It’s not merely about the skills one possesses or the roles one undertakes; it’s a deeper dive into the underlying motivations, the intrinsic values that drive decision-making and career choices. It’s a blueprint for anyone seeking to understand the nuances of their professional identity and how it intertwines with their personal ethos.
The WHY.OS is more than a tool for career guidance; it’s a compass for navigating the complex terrain of professional and personal growth.
The Transformational Impact of “Why”
Emma’s career transformation began with a critical realization during her college years.
Reflecting on this time, she shares, “I graduated college in 2022. Last year, I went to school and I started off as an athletic training major, then ended up going into physical therapy. I took a minor in nutrition…Unfortunately, I was in college when COVID hit, so everything had gone online. And I was not learning to the best of my ability.”
“…When I realized that my “why” being make sense is that I believe success happens when we make sense of the complex. Not being able to get my hands, I would say dirty, in internships and being able to be hands-on with professors and being able to be in the classroom and collaborating with students—there’s a reason why I didn’t end up wanting to pursue physical therapy because I wasn’t able to make sense of the complex when I was in college. My “how” being mastery, so how I do that is by seeking depth, breadth, and details. Again, with make sense, I have to master something before I move to the next step.”
“…I still felt like I hadn’t mastered the basics of anatomy or the basics of medical terminology and all that sort of stuff. So I didn’t feel capable to move forward in my career. And then ultimately, what I bring is a way to contribute and add value. I know a lot of people don’t like doing presentations or doing thesis projects. I love doing that stuff. I again, wasn’t able to do that during COVID or at least in the personal setting.”
“So again, that was just a reason why I didn’t feel ready to get into physical therapy and get my doctorate. So learning all of this at one level is just thinking, “Okay, great. This is my ‘why’,” but when you actually connect it back to what’s driving you, what makes you wake up in the morning, I think seeing this showed me that I had made the right decision to not continue moving forward with physical therapy.”
From Realization to Action: A Journey of Personal Development
This revelation was more than an epiphany; it was a turning point. Emma’s realization that she wasn’t ready for a career in physical therapy stemmed from a deeper understanding of her intrinsic motivations. She needed something that allowed her to make sense of complex situations and contribute effectively.
“Andrew had just told me to come into the office, just help around with a few things, get things organized, get in touch with clients, make sure things are scheduled.”
“So I started off as an admin, like kind of a receptionist, making sure the office was tidy, organized. I did little tasks here and there. I used to send emails under Andrew’s email, so I didn’t even have my own email. I was just basically drafting emails as him.”
“I got my hands dirty in the CRM system. I learned how that worked. As I kind of learned those things, I flourished really fast and I flourished just so amazing in my career. I never thought in a million years that I would kind of be doing this kind of work and enjoying this kind of work. But I just learned more and more and I was more knowledgeable and I was able to take on little tasks here and there.”
“And then from there, I was able to just like take on more roles, learn more things, implement new things with team members, optimize certain processes. And now I am here running my dad’s business. So I went from just doing little tasks here and there to running the entire operation because I know the operation like the back of my hand.”
What Emma has personally experienced is a vivid illustration of how self-discovery can lead to dramatic career shifts. It’s about the courage to embrace one’s true self and the willingness to pivot, even when it means stepping away from a familiar path. Her experience serves as a powerful example for anyone at a career crossroads, highlighting the transformative potential of aligning one’s career with their ‘why’.
Personal Development and Professional Fulfillment
For Emma, discovering her ‘why’ was more than a career revelation; it was a gateway to significant personal growth and professional fulfillment.
Reflecting on this transformative experience, Emma shares, “Having my ‘why’ has helped me set boundaries. It has empowered me to say no when necessary, and it has encouraged me to ask for help more. In college, I was quick to handle things alone, but now, I usually collaborate with my team, ensuring I understand before moving forward. This has significantly improved the quality of my work.”
“So, my personal growth, in knowing myself better, has been remarkable. I’m more capable of articulating my needs and limitations, like needing more time on projects. People usually understand and accommodate, like extending deadlines. Overall, knowing myself better has really improved my personal growth.”
The Ripple Effect of Self-Understanding
This underlines the ripple effect of self-understanding on personal and professional realms. By identifying her core drivers – making sense of complexity, mastering depth, and contributing value – she not only revamped her career path but also improved her overall quality of life.
Her experience is a compelling case of how understanding one’s ‘why’ can lead to holistic personal development and growth, affecting not just one’s job but their entire approach to life and work. Her story showcases that when we align our careers with our true selves, we unlock a level of personal and professional satisfaction that goes beyond mere success. All these elements weave in into a powerful illustration of the transformative potential of self-awareness in forging a fulfilling career and a balanced life.
Synthesizing Insights and Reflections With the Help of Why.OS
Emma’s journey from a college graduate uncertain of her path to a successful CEO, enlightened by her WHY.OS, is a powerful narrative of self-discovery and aligning one’s career with personal values. Her story goes beyond a mere career shift; it is a testament to the transformative power of understanding and living by one’s ‘why.’
Emma’s experience is a reminder that our careers are not just about what we do, but why we do it. She encapsulates this sentiment perfectly: “Knowing your “why” and what drives you, what makes you wake up in the morning—I think that makes a profound impact on your career choices. Many people enter careers thinking about how much money they’re going to make or how much PTO they’ll be able to take off work. And I think actually aligning your “why” to your career is super important…having those two going hand in hand will help you a lot in your career and even pursuing other things.”
This understanding has not only propelled her to professional success but also contributed to a deeper sense of personal fulfillment and well-being.
“I tell them, “I took my ‘why’.” If you’ve never heard of ‘why,’ you should take it. It’s impactful not only in post-grad but even for those in careers for 15, 20 plus years who want a change. It’s for anyone who wants to understand why they no longer enjoy their work and want to make a change.”
Your Personal Development Journey with WHY.OS
Inspired by Emma Lamb’s transformative journey? It’s your turn now. 4 Leaf Performance invites you to experience the power of the WHY.OS program – a personalized pathway to uncovering your true purpose. Whether you’re navigating career challenges, seeking deeper fulfillment, or simply curious about your potential, WHY.OS is your key to unlocking a life aligned with your core values and passions.
Join a community of forward-thinkers and embark on a journey of self-discovery. With WHY.OS, you’ll gain insights into your unique ‘why,’ learn how to apply it in your daily life and connect with coaches who can guide you towards a more purposeful life. It’s more than a program; it’s a transformation. Explore WHY.OS Today.
