About Common Purpose
Common Purpose is a global social enterprise that develops, upskills and connects people from a range of geographies, generations, sectors, specializations, backgrounds and beliefs to help them become more effective, purpose-driven leaders. We call this cross-boundary leadership. We use a unique peer to peer experiential approach to broaden people’s perspectives and unlock their true potential. This is real life learning, using the City as the Classroom, creating timely and relevant solutions to the challenges organizations, societies and leaders face every day.
How can you Lead with Purpose in 2022?
Through its unique peer-to-peer experiential learning model, Common Purpose connects diverse leaders from across society. They become inspired, equipped and connected to lead more purposefully – both within their own organizations and beyond.
The Common Purpose Programme
Powerful, interactive blended learning for leaders who want to cross boundaries
In these uniquely challenging times, the demand for effective leadership – in our organizations and in society – has never been greater. We face problems that are complex and interconnected – problems that can only be solved by leaders who see the bigger picture and adapt to an ever-changing context.
That's why, at Common Purpose, we have distilled our 30 years of our unique leadership development experience into these two powerful blended programmes for senior and emerging leaders. We believe that now, more than ever, we need to support and develop leaders who can cross boundaries, solve complex problems and produce change.
Legacy Dublin22
Legacy Dublin 22, part of the global Common Purpose Legacy programme, convened 100 young leaders aged 18-25 from 26-28 October 2022 to tackle the challenge "How do we make Dublin a city of purpose and inclusion for all"? The 2.5 day event was hosted by the IDA and Google and sponsored by the IDA, Lewis Silkin, Department of Rural and Community Development, National Treasury Management Agency, Foroige, and Citrix.
Find out more about Common Purpose Ireland, our people and our governance.
Our impact framework
These principles allow us to design programmes that create lasting impact for participants in three areas:
inclusive
innovative
resilient
teams
horizons
better
decisions
collaborative
complex
change
Using this framework, we assess participants' development through the lens of six key leadership competencies:
Agile
Empathetic
Influential
Purposeful
Resilient
Self aware
What Kind of Leader Do You Want To Be?
Alumni of Common Purpose Ireland programmes discuss the experience and benefits of participating in a Common Purpose leadership programme.
How Do We Develop Leaders?
Animator Eoin McLoughlin describes how Common Purpose develops leaders to cross boundaries.
Hear about the impact of The Common Purpose Programme for Emerging Leaders from participants themselves!
Testimonials taken at the Common Purpose Ireland Alumni Event in the Guinness Enterprise Centre, Dublin 8, on 9 September 2022.
Learn more about our Global Impact here.
Hear from our alumni
As a graduate of a Common Purpose programme, you will become part of a committed, global movement. The regular meetings result in connections that go far beyond professional purposes. This not only benefits the individual, but also society as a whole.
“The Common Purpose programme provides an opportunity to connect with those committed to being catalysts for positive change in the city and society, many pioneers and trailblazers in their field. For me, it was a most enjoyable and enriching experience and a catalyst for personal and professional growth.”
Philip O’Callaghan, Managing Director, The Examcraft Group
"I go back to Common Purpose every now and then to dip into the experience and to increase my own learning and understanding, and my application is every day. Being able to draw on the Common Purpose experience and the network of people that I have met…is absolutely invaluable."
Cllr. Alison Gilliland, Lord Mayor of Dublin
"The Emerging Leaders programme with Common Purpose was exciting to be part of because it gave me an opportunity to really connect with people from diverse backgrounds and settings, allowing me to understand the challenges that they experience in their own organizations and how they deal with those in a real-world context."
Jack Kavanagh, Speaker, Facilitator, Activist
"Common Purpose proposes a very interesting and engaging programme through experiential learning which, not only I enjoyed immensely, but it helped me to open my eyes to new avenues and approaches in leadership. The diversity of the participants is probably the key element to its success! The modules are well thought out and presented through videos, live testimonials from inspiring speakers, exercises, and discussions with peers, always done in a very positive and supportive environment. It has been a very personal journey; you discover more about yourself, what has brought you where you are and where you want to go. It is done through provoking reflection, emphasizing empathy, focusing on inclusion, seeking and giving feedback, being aware of assumptions, being courageous and above all being positive and much more!
All throughout the programme, I felt reassured I was going in the right direction in my leadership and at the same time I was challenged to think differently and bolder!
One piece of advice: JUST DO IT! A life changing few months… it is only the start!"
Yvonne Colucci, Managing Director, Odyssey International DMC
"I found the Common Purpose programme very helpful and the presentation style engaging which aided learning is a relaxed environment. The group exercises were particularly useful as a means of reflecting, problem solving and sharing ideas amongst peers. The Immersion days were especially engaging and as a result of the visit to Sport Ireland, I now have an opportunity to give back to the sporting community through an invitation to mentor with them. The learning realized from this programme has helped me transition to a new role in my organization, working with a diverse array of stakeholders, inputting to multi-faceted projects."
Dr. Teresa Hurley, Head of School of Management, Technological University of Dublin (TU Dublin)
"Leadership Exploration = Common Purpose. When I first encountered Common Purpose I was an emerging leader at the strategic level in Ireland. I had studied leadership most of my working life both in academia and in the organization with which I worked. The missing piece was the ability to discuss the practical aspects of Strategic Leadership with like-minded individuals and organizations. Common Purpose provided this vehicle. It was enlightening, it was educational, it was challenging, and thought-provoking. The emerging strategic leaders I met were fascinating, innovative, creative, and listeners. Through my interaction with these emerging strategic leaders truly began the journey to wisdom. My continuing interaction with Common Purpose keeps me aligned on that journey."
Brigadier General Peter O’Halloran, Irish Defence Forces