The document discusses Common Purpose, an independent non-profit organization that runs leadership development programs around the world. It aims to give leaders the skills, connections, and vision to lead more effectively beyond their own organizations and cultures. Common Purpose programs involve visits to real-world locations and tackling live issues with other leaders. Participants develop strategic thinking, leadership skills, and the ability to create positive change in their work and communities. There are over 120,000 leaders involved in Common Purpose programs in 70 cities worldwide.

1. The view from your office
window seldom changes.
If we want our leaders to see
the bigger picture, they have
to go out and see the world
through other people’s eyes.”
David Bell, Chairman, Financial Times Group and Director for People, Pearson plc
“
Common Purpose:
local, international, independent
Common Purpose gives leaders the
inspiration, the knowledge and the
connections they need to produce
real change.
Through our unique leadership
development programmes, a growing
number of people around the world
are continually broadening their
outlook - and networks - to create
positive change at work and in society.
We are an independent, not-for-profit
organisation.
Through this, we aim to:
give leaders the skills, the connections
and the vision they need to lead more
effectively
push them to extend their influence - and
take responsibility - beyond their own
organisation, locality and culture, not just
within it
inspire leaders to effect real change, both
at work and in the wider world.
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120,000There are 120,000 leaders around the world
actively involved in Common Purpose programmes
3,000Over 3,000 people complete a Common Purpose
programme each year - and this continues to grow
14-50+We run programmes for leaders of all ages, from
young people in school to those leaving their
full-time careers
1989Common Purpose started in Coventry and
Newcastle, UK
70Programmes run in 70 cities and regions around
the world
All programmes offer a challenging mix of:
behind-the-scenes briefings
leadership insights through access to
key players
real-life case studies
peer consultancy
problem-solving of real leadership
challenges
group learning sessions.
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“The opportunities and
threats ahead will not come
neatly parcelled to fit the
department or division or
sector or culture or even
country in which we have
arranged ourselves. They
will cross boundaries and
come through walls - and our
leaders need to be able to do
this too.”
Julia Middleton, Founder and Chief Executive,
Common Purpose, from her book
‘Beyond Authority’
Unique programmes
Our leadership programmes are unique
because they are delivered in the
community, not in the classroom. On
both open and customised programmes,
participants visit prisons, housing
developments, businesses, hospitals and
manufacturing plants and learn about
the real problems at first hand.
Together, they tackle live issues with
other leaders, including the people
who carry real-life responsibility for
the problems.

2. As a result of their experiences with Common
Purpose, individuals and their organisations
consistently report:
better strategic thinking and
decision-making
greatly enhanced leadership competencies
and an improved ability to apply these in
new situations
an increase in the knowledge, connections
and vision they need to effect real and
sustainable change
Communities benefit from more - and more
diverse - leaders who are energised and
engaging in civil society.
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A track record of success
The leaders who have been on a
Common Purpose programme think
bigger, network more effectively and
stand out as leaders not only within but
beyond their organisations.
More than 20,000 people across the
world are leading better as a result of
their Common Purpose programme.
www.commonpurpose.org
Common Purpose | Company Limited by Guarantee 2832875 | Registered Charity 1023384
Original cover photo by Damien du Toit www.creativecommons.org 2006
Our-long term ambition:
a stronger, more connected society
Germany
A meeting between a Theatre Director and
a teacher led to 20 children from an inner-
city school staging an international theatre
performance. The children developed a sense
of focus and responsibility and increased the
power to express themselves.
South Africa
Kuben Naidoo, a senior official in the
National Department of Finance, was in the
same programme group as Anna Mofokeng,
an uneducated, single mother who lived in
a squatter camp. They became thoroughly
enriched by hearing about each other’s lives,
roles and experiences. Anna co-founded
Masisizane Women’s Housing Co-operative
in Ivory Park. As a result of his experiences
on the programme, Kuben Naidoo, now
Deputy Secretary General of the South
African Treasury, changed national policy
on HIV Aids.
International Alumni
connecting on a local level
Increasingly, it is not enough for leaders
to go beyond the traditional boundaries
of their organisations, professions,
sectors, cultures, cities and regions.
They need to know how to step beyond
their own countries.
An invaluable benefit of becoming a
member of the Common Purpose
Alumni is the ongoing access to the
network of cross-sector peers.
UK
Two UK Common Purpose participants
managed to gain NHS funding to staff drop-in
centres at three locations in their area to
provide primary health care for homeless
people. Two doctors and a nurse provide the
service at the three centres.
7,000More than 7,000 Chief Executives and Board
members are involved in our programmes
Common Purpose is running - or
developing - programmes in 12 countries
12Common Purpose activities are running or under
development in 12 countries - so far
20,000More than 20,000 Alumni around the world