Go Deeper with Certificate Programs
Power of Purpose is part of a certificate program:
What You'll Learn
Introduction
3 Video Lessons
- The Power of Purpose—Getting to a more meaningful why
- The Power of Purpose—The reason to exist beyond profit
- Leading Through Purpose—The story of Cadillac Fairview
1 Activity
-
Finding Your Purpose: Reflect on your purpose and impact you want to have on people’s lives
Lesson 1: See it
1 Video Lesson
- See It—Spotting purpose in your work
1 Assignment
-
See It: When finding your purpose, begin by looking at the past. Don't merely project into the future or imagine how it might show up. Where has it shown up already?
Lesson 2: Name it
3 Video Lessons
- The Chocolate Cake Study—What really matters more than batter
- Purpose Statement Game—(Sadly) no cash prizes
- Name It—The poetry in purpose
1 Assignment
-
Name It: Generate the inspiration that will bring your purpose statement from the previous activity to life.
Lesson 3: Do it
2 Video Lessons
- Do It—Living your purpose
- More from Cadillac Fairview—Quick wins and bold moves
1 Assignment
-
Do It: Create a plan to bring your purpose to life through action.
Conclusion
1 Video Lesson
- Final Thoughts—A joyful struggle
1 Assignment
-
Final Reflection: Reflect on your experience and think about how you might bring more meaning to your work and the systems around you.
Meet Your Instructors

Joe Brown
Portfolio Director at IDEO
Prior to IDEO, Joe taught courses in Marketing and Organizational Behavior at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, where he also earned his MBA. Before that, he edited textbooks for the SAT, moonlighted as an interaction designer, and sold art in several New York galleries.
Deepen Your Learning
Downloadable Workbook
Practical Activities
Certificate of Completion

Frequently Asked Questions
Self-paced courses are shorter learning experiences that you can enroll in at any time. They take anywhere from 1-8 hours to complete, and you are granted 90 days of access from the date and time of purchase. You can go through the class material at your own pace, referring back to the material throughout the access dates. There is no community component in on-demand courses.
All of our courses are fully online and self-paced, so you can take them from any time zone, anywhere in the world.
You can enroll in a self-paced course at any time. You will have 90-day access to all course content from date of purchase.
We provide a select portion of the course materials to download for future reference. Most self-paced courses, these resources are a Journey Map or Activity workbook.
You will have access to the videos throughout the course, however, you are not able to access or download them after 90 days from purchase date.
Loved by Learners Across the Globe
Power of Purpose
Self-Paced Course“I am convinced that this is one course which everyone in my organization should take. This class taught me how defining a purpose helps everyone to connect to the final outcome and impact it has on everyday life in the organization, in the team, and at a micro-level on an individual.”
Power of Purpose
Self-Paced Course“Content was very useful and organized in a way that kept me engaged. Loved the variety of video, reading and activities. I also appreciated the link to the studies so I could dig in further on some topics.”
Power of Purpose
Self-Paced Course“By acknowledging a purpose for my work, I am motivated and connected to every email, assignment, and project. This course has allowed me to see the bigger picture of my work. I would encourage everyone and anyone to take this course to align their purpose with their passions!”
Power of Purpose
Self-Paced Course“I just love how fresh your courses feel and sound. Your design sense comes through and helps me see information or ideas I've come across before in new ways. I also love that you always give me new exercises or ideas that are simple and powerful.”
Learners Also Purchased
-
Leading for Creativity
Learn to scale creative problem solving from Tim Brown, Chair of IDEOCohort Course 5 Weeks- Regular price
- $799
- Sale price
- $799
- Unit price
- per
-
From Superpowers to Great Teams
Activate greatness in yourself and othersSelf-Paced Course Start Anytime- Regular price
- $199
- Sale price
- $199
- Unit price
- per
-
Cultivating Creative Collaboration
Tap into diverse perspectives to foster creative thinkingCohort Course 5 Weeks- Regular price
- $799
- Sale price
- $799
- Unit price
- per

Enroll As a Team
The practice and application of design thinking, innovation, and creativity is highly collaborative and team based—which is why we believe that learning is better together. Take a course as a team and develop new skills and mindsets, have deeper discussion during course kickoff and debrief sessions, and build a shared understanding.