The other day, while playing tennis with Heather, we paused during a side switch. As we sat, I noticed a single ant on the ground. It was moving steadily but with no obvious direction, as if searching for something. I asked Heather, “I wonder what it’s looking for? Water? Food? Maybe other ants?”

And then it hit me: aren’t we all a little like that ant? Moving, striving, searching, sometimes without even knowing what we’re after. I immediately thought of the movie A Bug’s Life and its main character, Flik… His mission was straightforward: survival, nourishment, connection to the colony. For us as leaders, the search is less obvious but no less essential. We’re not just looking for tasks to complete or goals to check off; we’re looking for something deeper.

I believe that “something” can be summed up in three pursuits: purpose, growth, and belonging.

1. Purpose

The ant isn’t wandering for wandering’s sake; it’s on a mission. Likewise, leaders must define why we do what we do. Without purpose, our calendars may be full, but our impact will feel empty. Purpose is the compass that keeps us aligned, even when circumstances shift. When leaders connect daily work to a greater mission… improving lives, shaping culture, building people… teams gain not just direction, but meaning.

2. Growth

That ant was exploring, adjusting, and learning its environment… it was headed somewhere. Leaders, too, need that posture of curiosity. Growth comes when we ask better questions, seek feedback, and stay open to the unknown. It requires humility, but it also keeps us sharp. A leader who is always learning creates a culture where others feel safe to stretch, innovate, and grow.

3. Belonging

No ant thrives alone; they need their colony. Leadership is no different. We’re wired for connection, and belonging fuels both resilience and performance. Leaders who foster trust, inclusion, and genuine care build communities where people not only work, but also want to work.

From a Christian worldview perspective, this search ultimately points us back to God. Scripture reminds us that “Where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18), true purpose begins with His calling. Our deepest growth comes not from striving, but from being “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (Romans 12:2). And real belonging is found in the body of Christ, where “though many, we form one body” (Romans 12:4–5). When our leadership is anchored in Him, our search is no longer restless; it becomes rooted, life-giving, and eternal.

So, what are we really looking for? The answer may be simple: clarity of purpose, commitment to growth, and a sense of connection and belonging.

The next time you find yourself in a reflective pause (I was just flat out tired and getting beat), whether on a tennis court, in a meeting room, or during a quiet walk, why don’t you ask yourself: What am I truly searching for right now? The way we answer that question shapes not only our own journey but also the path we light for those we lead.

As you step into your role today, remember that you are not just an educator and leader but a shaper of the future. Your actions and decisions profoundly impact the lives of those you guide. Go, be the great educator and leader that our future needs.

Remember… Think Leadership and Be For Others…

©2025 J Clay Norton

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