Articles - Kathy Varol

Purpose and Profit Articles

Purpose and Profit Articles

 

The dark side of eternal optimism

I’m an eternal optimist. An expert at sucking up every ounce of joy in life. To be honest, I never considered there was a dark side to eternal optimism. Even the suggestion of a dark side seemed absurd. Afterall, isn’t everyone striving for the rose-colored glasses perspective? My change of …

Read More

 

Business Case for being Purpose Led

In an era where every market feels like a battlefield, standing out is more of a puzzle than ever. The old marketing playbook? It’s gathering dust. Let’s unpack this with a touch of business school charm—Economics, Finance, and Marketing. I promise to keep it light and insightful. Imagine the market …

Read More

 

Life is calling…are you ready?

Have you ever stopped and realized that you’re always on mute at work? It’s a familiar state for many. You don’t want to draw attention so you mute your personality. You don’t want to make waves so you mute your opinions. You don’t want to get too involved in office …

Read More

 

The creative power of an alter ego

There’s a certain alchemy that happens behind the bar. As a bartender, I found myself donning an alter ego . Usually content to listen and observe in social settings, as a bartender the bar became my stage, dispensing not just drinks but conversation and camaraderie. This role gave me permission …

Read More

 

The Heart of business is people

In the sprawling tapestry of modern business, there’s a thread that’s becoming increasingly difficult to ignore: the idea that a company’s purpose should extend beyond the pursuit of profit. Sure, the business case for a purpose-driven model is compelling. The S&P 500 ESG Index, for instance, outperformed its profit-only counterpart …

Read More

 

From Grit to Gem: The Alchemy of Business

Have you ever held a pearl and marveled at its luster? Or gazed upon a diamond, spellbound by its sparkle? These paragons of beauty aren’t born of fairy dust—they’re the product of patience and pressure that turns the mundane into the magnificent. Take pearls, for instance. A pearl begins its …

Read More

 

The Art of Deliberate Emotional Craftsmanship

In the quiet of meditation, an analogy bubbled to the surface of my thoughts: Reacting in anger is like hammering a screw. Picture it—the sharp clank, the momentary satisfaction, the silence that follows. Yet, this forceful act yields no victory. The screw—battered, not bonded—inevitably slips from its purchase, leaving a …

Read More

 

2023 Year in Review

2023 has been an incredible year. Here are some of my highlights: ✅ I gave keynotes to amazing audiences including AT&T, Sansan, and Zscaler. My keynotes support my mission to make purpose the heartbeat of every business strategy. ✅ I interviewed 26 inspiring leaders on the Purpose and Profit podcast, …

Read More

 

Have you ever felt you’re not enough?

I remember the look on my brother’s face when I confessed that I’ve always battled with this gnawing feeling of not being enough. To him, I was already more than enough, so my revelation left him utterly dumbfounded. He asked the million-dollar question: “Why do you feel that way?” Many …

Read More

 

Leadership in crisis

Leaders are accountable just like anyone else. They don’t just snap their fingers to make things happen however they see fit. They are beholden to their board. They are beholden to their shareholders. There are rules that they must follow, no matter the situation, even in a time of crisis. …

Read More
Site Design Rebecca Pollock
Site Development North Star Sites