Are you leading a purpose-driven life? Alex Lee sees purpose as, “The ‘why’s’ and the drive behind everything you do.” Alex is currently the CEO of The Glen, a residential Aboriginal Therapeutic Community for men and women experiencing alcohol and drug dependence. He is also a community leader, founder, ultramarathon runner, and a seriously great human being. Most importantly, he’s a leader driven by his purpose to help people. In this blog, we’ll unpack how finding purpose in his life started with his own call to the Kids Helpline when he was just 14 years old.
How did Alex Lee find his purpose?
Purpose is the why behind everything. It’s the driving force that keeps life simple and happy. Whether it’s work, self-care, or learning, having a clear reason makes things straightforward. For Alex, finding purpose began in his teenage years, facing tough times and reaching out to the Kid’s Helpline. This 10-minute call with someone sharing rational thoughts turned things around for him. He identifies his purpose as helping people, shaping his actions around maintaining a positive mindset to contribute to the community.
One pivotal moment of his volunteering journey was leaving a secure job at KPMG to establish volunteer programs in offshore detention centers, dedicating 9–12 months to make a difference, and managing hundreds of volunteers. Juggling events and volunteers in his early 20s, he learned leadership without the paycheck incentive. These experiences taught him that purposeful actions have a huge impact, not just for him but for everyone involved.
Managing and Motivating Fellow Volunteers
When it comes to motivating and inspiring other volunteers, Alex focused on keeping their cups filled. Understanding people’s purposes has been the most vital part of managing them. It’s about finding the right fit for each person and making sure they’re engaged in activities that resonate with their motivations.
Dealing with stressful situations, especially when organizing fundraising events with volunteers, has been a major challenge, but for him, it all boils down to purpose. Everyone has their reasons for volunteering – some are there for the social aspect, others for the recognition in charity work, and then there are those with a genuine connection to the situations of the people they’re helping.
Running The Glen
Right now, Alex is the CEO of The Glen, which is an organisation that provides holistic rehabilitation to people who need help. They now operate two rehab centers with a total of 35 beds for men and 20 beds for women. Many of The Glen’s board members have experienced the pain of losing loved ones to drug and alcohol addiction. Their commitment is to prevent the next generation from going through similar suffering.
The Glen emphasises that they don’t save lives or change people, but instead create an environment for individuals to change themselves. Their clients use the tools and opportunities provided to them to drive their transformations.
Alex’s goal is to leave behind a legacy of well-defined policies, procedures, and a capable team to take the organisation to the next level. He hopes to leave a positive mark and ensure The Glen continues thriving under capable leadership.
What holds people from finding their purpose?
For Alex, clients often struggle to find their purpose because they tend to blame external factors for their issues. We have to recognise that the only thing under our control is how we handle and respond to situations. Taking charge of ourselves is the starting point—shifting our mindset and adopting positive approaches to handling situations. The Serenity Prayer captures this essence—accepting what can’t be changed and summoning the courage to change what’s within our control. The tough part is looking inward and taking responsibility for our mindset and reactions.
The Role of Discipline in Finding Your Purpose
Discipline ties back to Alex’s purpose of helping people, and that starts with being the best version of himself. Physical, mental, and spiritual well-being are non-negotiables, and maintaining a routine is important. For him, saying no to distractions and sticking to good habits through discipline is the key to ultimately finding purpose in life and living it.
Running is a vital part of Alex’s routine. It helps him relax, destress, and gather his thoughts. When working in the demanding drug and alcohol sector, running served as a way to maintain emotional balance amid the constant crises. His running achievements, like holding the Australian record for 10 marathons in 10 days, showcase his discipline.
Reviving Volunteerism in Australia
Volunteerism in Australia is on the decline, with fewer people getting involved—a trend that’s persisted for quite a while. These are the three ways Alex Lee would help revive it:
(1) Simplifying the Volunteer Connection: Focus on minimising barriers to volunteering by streamlining the process. Creating a more straightforward system to link people’s passions with volunteer opportunities is a crucial step. Cut through the red tape and make it easy for those who genuinely want to help.
(2) Putting Volunteering in the Spotlight: Instead of the constant flood of negative news on social media, let’s put the spotlight on positive volunteering stories. Showcasing the impact of helping others not only inspires but also shows that by contributing, you’re also benefiting yourself.
(3) Just Have a Go: Stepping into the world of volunteering can be intimidating. Empowering people to overcome their fears and try something new also encourages them to step out of their comfort zones.
Finding Purpose That Affects Generations
A board member shared the seventh-generation principle with Alex—it means helping one person today isn’t just about the immediate; it sets the stage for the next generations. It’s a future-focused concept, emphasising the importance of looking ahead for the long term. This idea of today’s decisions shaping the next seven generations keeps Alex motivated.
When it comes to leadership, Alex believes that the best quality a leader can have is humility. It’s about prioritising others over yourself, and Alex embodies this quality by consistently putting other people’s interests first, driven by his purpose of helping others.
What are your takeaways from this discussion with Alex Lee? Share your main insights from this blog at thecultureofthings.com, on YouTube, or through our social media channels.
Alex shares more running stories, encounters, and future marathon plans in the Finding Purpose in Your Life podcast episode. The emu on his shirt, representing always moving forward, aligns with The Glen’s philosophy—looking to the future challenges and goals rather than dwelling on the past.
And if you’re curious about Alex’s tattoos, dive into the bonus content in Episode 81 on the Culture of Leadership YouTube channel.