The Legacy Series: Leadership Lessons That Endure

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy stood before Congress and declared, “We choose to go to the moon—not because it is easy, but because it is hard.”

Those thirteen words changed the course of history. America didn’t yet have the technology, materials, or even the math to land on the moon. But Kennedy’s vision united a fractured nation, inspired scientists and machinists alike, and gave every NASA employee—from janitor to astronaut—a shared mission: put a man on the moon and bring him home safely.

There’s a now famous story from NASA’s early days. During a tour of the space center, Kennedy stopped to speak with a janitor sweeping the hallway. “Hi there,” Kennedy said. “What are you doing?” The man replied, “Mr. President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.”

AND THAT’S IT! RIGHT THERE! That answer captured the essence of purpose. Everyone from upper executives management to the frontline workers knew why their work mattered. Everyone was part of something greater than themselves.

The Leadership Lesson

People perform best when they believe their work makes a difference. Kennedy didn’t micromanage scientists or engineers. He didn’t define the “how.” He defined the “why.” And that clarity created unstoppable motivation.

A shared mission gives meaning to effort. When every employee understands how their work contributes to something bigger, performance becomes personal. People start showing up not just for a paycheck—but for a purpose. 

My Perspective: Purpose Is the Engine That Drives Great Teams

I’ve built multiple companies across multiple industries—from software to healthcare—and one truth has guided every success: purpose beats pressure.

Every business goes through ups and downs. Purpose and culture get you through the down periods and it accelerates momentum when your business is growing.

When people understand why they matter, they bring energy, creativity, and ownership to everything they do. At Benefit Airship, we don’t just sell healthcare programs—we help families afford care that can change their lives. Our billing specialists and support staff know that every accurate invoice or answered call can mean one less family facing medical and financial stress.

That sense of purpose transforms a job into a calling. I’ve never had to push employees to work harder. They come in early, stay late, and volunteer ideas because they believe in what we’re building together. When your team connects to a mission, they stop working for you and start working with you. 

There is no greater moment as a business owner or manager than when your team starts driving change and improvement without your involvement.

Shared belief and mutual respect builds team work and collaboration. Overtime, something beautiful happens. You build a family-like culture. Everyone feels valued, appreciated, and empowered to make their area the best it can be. They pull for each other. They work for each other and they make the business a purpose and not a job. 

My retention rate hovered near 100% year over year. People didn’t leave because they didn’t feel like employees—they felt like contributors to a greater cause. And the best part? None of this costs money. It just takes intention.

How to Apply It in Your Business

1. Create the “Why.”

I get my entire team together and I share the vision for the company. What’s our point? What’s our purpose? Tell the entire story. Then, I have my team brainstorm the Mission. What’s there perspective on the Mission. Why does it matter to them and our clients? Then, we word craft the Mission together. Every employee is part of the Mission development. They are invested from inception.  Then, we build a pyramid of the business. How does the company grow? How do we make money? How do we lose marketing share? How does company lose money? It looks like an org chart with a P&L overlay. We  connect every role to it. Everyone sees how they influence the business and how that they truly matter to the overall ecosystem.

2. Tell the Success Stories and Create Examples.

When your employees take ownership and have success, share that story with the team. Provide a safe environment for employees to become leaders. What I tell my employees is, “Be a leader. Take ownership of your lane. If you see an opportunity for improvement, do it. You understand what our mission is and how you influence success. 99% of the time you’re going to be right. I don’t mind if you make a mistake trying to improve the business.”

3. Hire Passionate People.

Skills are teachable. Passion for your mission isn’t. Hire people who believe what you believe. Hire people that want to be part of something. I had an interviewee once tell me, “I have a warrior’s heart.” He was hired instantly.

4. Keep Purpose Visible.

Display your mission in your workspace, emails, and meetings. The goal isn’t to print it—it’s to live it.  I encourage all our employees to build a custom desktop wallpaper with our mission statement written on it.

The Proof that It Works

According to a Harvard Business Review study, purpose-driven companies outperform the market by 42%¹. Forbes found that employees who connect their roles to a meaningful mission are three times more likely to stay with their employer².

Simon Sinek said it best in Start With Why: “People don’t buy what you do; they buy why you do it.”³

Final Thought

Kennedy’s moonshot wasn’t about rockets—it was about belief. The power of purpose turned impossible goals into achievable ones. If you want to build a team that stays, grows, and thrives, don’t start with strategy—start with why. Because when everyone in your company knows the mission, they’ll help you reach it—together.

Be the Leader Who Lifts Others Higher

Great leadership isn’t just about vision—it’s about taking care of people. The most successful companies don’t just hire talent; they invest in their teams’ well-being.

Studies show that:

• Companies with strong benefits programs see 56% lower turnover and 50% higher engagement (Gallup).

• Organizations that prioritize employee well-being experience 21% greater profitability and 17% higher productivity (Harvard Business Review).

• Employees who feel valued and supported are 4x more likely to recommend their company as a great place to work (SHRM).

That’s the power of care—it fuels loyalty, focus, and a culture people are proud to be part of.

At Benefit Airship, we believe every business deserves that advantage. We built the only employee benefits program that costs employers $0—yet delivers medical, dental, vision, mental health, and prescription benefits to every worker: full-time, part-time, or contract.

Our mission is simple: Help businesses grow by helping people thrive.

Because great leaders don’t just build companies—they build communities. And when your people rise, your business soars.

Sources

¹ Harvard Business Review – Purpose-Driven Companies Outperform the Market

² Forbes – Why Purpose is the Most Powerful Motivator at Work

³ Simon Sinek – Start With Why