Discovering Your Life’s Purpose: Lauren Bronson Petrous Of Boundless & Co On How to Align Your Goals with Your True Self
An interview with Dr. Bharat Sangani
Break Down Big Goals into Purpose-driven Steps
Purpose isn’t a lofty idea — it’s revealed in the choices you make daily. Take small, consistent steps that reflect who you are and what you stand for. Alignment with your true self doesn’t require sweeping changes; start small. For instance, when I coach clients, I often suggest they assess their calendar. Are they spending time on things that align with their values and goals? Purpose is lived out in how we use our time and energy.
Finding and living in alignment with your true purpose can be a transformative journey. Yet, many struggle with identifying their life’s purpose and aligning their goals with it. In this series, we aim to explore how individuals discover their purpose and create a life that reflects their authentic selves, leading to greater fulfillment and success. As a part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Lauren Bronson Petrous.
Lauren Bronson Petrous is a communication expert, leadership consultant and conflict resolution specialist who empowers mission-driven leaders and organizations to cultivate high-performing purpose-driven teams and cultures. With over a decade of experience across corporate and non-profit sectors, Lauren has worked with renowned organizations like Hilton, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Habitat for Humanity. She holds a Masters in Organizational Change from Northwestern University and is the founder of Boundless & Co., where she provides strategic guidance on team health, leadership development, and organizational transformation. Known for empathetic yet empowering approach, Lauren diagnosis the root of problem effectively and efficiently instead of wasting resources by simply managing symptoms. Lauren is a true fixer who challenges leaders to embrace authenticity, navigate discomfort, and unlock the full extent of their impact.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
Thank you for the opportunity! My journey began in both the corporate and non-profit sectors, working with organizations like Hilton and Habitat for Humanity. Along the way, I discovered that the most successful teams are built on strong leadership and a healthy culture. While I saw great examples of this, I also noticed countless missed opportunities where leaders failed to build trust and truly engage with their teams. That realization led me to earn a Masters in Organizational Change from Northwestern University and shift into consulting. Today, I’m passionate about helping leaders and teams unlock their full potential, guiding them to lead with authenticity, courage, and their core values to amplify their impact. It’s been a path that’s both real and rewarding, and I’m grateful for every step of it.
None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person that you are grateful for, who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
I’ve been blessed to have many people come alongside me on my journey who have helped grow or inspire me. But hands down, the most catalytic person in my life has been my mom. She built a successful career in marketing and branding, even owning her own company, all while balancing the challenges of being a single mom. More than any of her professional achievements, though, it was her unwavering commitment to integrity and values that truly shaped me. At the time, I didn’t fully realize it, but her value-based leadership — both as a mother and an executive — has profoundly influenced who I am today. It’s not only shaped the leader I’ve become, but also the foundation of my consulting methodology.
You are a successful leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Thank you for the kind words, Dr. Sangani! I’d say the three character traits most instrumental to my success are authenticity, courage, and empathy.
- Authenticity — Staying true to my values, even when it’s uncomfortable, has been crucial. Early in my career, I worked with a team that wasn’t aligned with the organization’s vision. Instead of forcing change or pretending everything was fine, I chose to have open, honest conversations with them, even though it was difficult. I wasn’t looking for quick fixes; I was looking to build trust. Over time, this honesty led to deeper engagement, and we turned that team around. Helping leaders identify their unique identity and values has also been key to my consulting firm’s methodology — I guide leaders to lead with their true selves, and get clear on what their values are and use their values as a compass to drive decisions — which in turn, helps their teams thrive.
- Courage — I’ve always believed that you can’t have growth without some discomfort. There was a pivotal moment when I had to leave a very successful secure job to pursue my passion for owning my own consulting firm. It felt risky, and the fear of failure was real, but I knew that in order to make the impact I wanted, I had to step into that fear. That leap of faith set the stage for everything I do now — helping others embrace discomfort as a vehicle for change and transformation. I always remind my clients, courage isn’t about being fearless, it’s about taking action in spite of fear. If there’s no challenge, there’s no change.
- Humility — Humility as a leader is essential. It fosters trust, respect and creates a culture of openness. I always say culture starts from the top down. So what a leader models, their team naturally begins to reflect. So when a leader acknowledges that they don’t have all the answers and are willing to learn from others, or when a leader owns a mistake it builds a psycholocigally safe environment where employees are more accountable, collaborative, and innovative because humility breeds a psychological safe environment. I’ve worked with senior leaders who understood this deeply; they recognized that their role wasn’t about having all the answers but about empowering their teams to contribute, share ideas, and innovate. By modeling humility, leaders create space for others to speak up, which not only strengthens teams but also drives better decision-making and growth.
Ok, fantastic. Let’s now turn to the crux of our interview. Was there a defining moment or experience in your life when you felt a clear sense of your purpose? How did it influence the goals you set from that point forward?
Defining moments often don’t feel like defining moments in the moment — they feel like discomfort, uncertainty, or even failure. For me, it happened while working in both corporate and non-profit spaces. I was sitting in a leadership meeting where I witnessed a disconnect between the leaders’ values and their actions. It was clear that fear, ego, or just a lack of self-awareness was driving decisions that impacted the entire team. I remember thinking, “It doesn’t have to be this way.”
That realization shifted everything for me. It wasn’t about blame; it was about opportunity. I realized I wanted to help leaders align their values with their actions — not just for their own sake, but because healthy leadership ripples out to the teams, organizations, and communities they influence. That clarity pushed me to pursue my master’s in Organizational Change and eventually launch my consulting business.
From that point forward, my goals became about more than achieving career milestones. They became about creating environments where people can thrive, where courage and authenticity guide decision-making, and where leaders can lead with alignment and confidence. It’s been a journey of discovering how purpose-driven leadership transforms not just organizations but people’s lives. And that’s a mission I’ll never stop pursuing.
What practical steps can someone take to begin uncovering their life’s purpose if they feel lost or unsure about their direction?
This is a great question. When I’m coaching clients who feel lost or unsure of their direction, I always start with a simple question: Do you know who you are?
Too often, we get caught up in the pressure to have the “right” answers — whether it’s about our purpose, career decisions, relationships, or leadership choices. But in the rush to solve problems, we forget to ask ourselves what we truly believe in and what our core values are. When we make decisions that aren’t aligned with who we truly are, we feel it — disoriented, anxious, or disconnected. Often, these misaligned choices come from trying to perform for others or sacrificing our own beliefs to please them. When we lead from this place, we’re not making purpose-driven decisions that reflect our authentic selves. Instead, we’re acting in ways that disconnect us from our true purpose and values. The key is to take the time to truly get to know ourselves, so we can lead from a place of alignment, making purpose-driven decisions that reflect who we are.
Here are some practical tools to help you uncover your purpose and understand who you truly are as an individual and as a leader:
- Get to Know Yourself: Only 11% of people are actually self-aware, so it’s important not to assume you’re part of that small group. Work with an unbiased coach, trusted mentor, or even a friend who can help you explore who you are. One of my favorite exercises is a “core values” exercise, where I guide my clients to identify 5–7 values they want to live by. These values act as a compass for making decisions and staying aligned with their true self.
- Identify Role Models: Choose three people you admire — whether you know them personally or they’re public figures — and list the traits about them that inspire you. What do they embody that resonates with you? For example, when I did this exercise myself a pattern I identified in my responses for each was that I’m deeply drawn to courageous people — those who’ve made sacrifices for a cause greater than themselves. Or who did the right thing over the easy thing. That’s why courage is one of my core values. After identifying patterns in the traits of those you admire, you’ll start to see the qualities that are most important to you.
- The 10–10–10 Rule: First introduced by author Suzy Welch, the 10–10–10 exercise is a straightforward yet powerful strategy for navigating small or big decision-making. I work with clients to guide them through asking themselves: If you made XYZ decision… “How will I feel about this choice in 10 minutes, 10 months, and 10 years? This exercise may sound overly simple — but often the simplest tools help us navigate the complex. This exercise encourages long-term thinking and alignment with your core values. By considering how you’ll feel about a decision not just immediately but in the future, you create space to reflect on what truly matters to you and therefore allows you to live more purposefully because you’re making purpose-driven decisions. It helps you step away from impulsive choices or the pressure of external expectations from others by guiding you toward decisions that are in harmony with your deeper sense of purpose and long-term goals. It’s a way to ensure that the decisions you make today are leading you closer to the person you want to become and the life you want to live.
How do you differentiate between external pressures — like societal expectations — and the inner calling that aligns with your true self?
This ties back to why getting to know yourself is so essential — it’s a step you can’t skip. If you don’t know who you are, you can’t uncover your purpose. Speaking from experience as a recovering people-pleaser, I spent years defaulting to behaviors I thought others expected of me rather than aligning with my true self. At the time, I hadn’t done the hard work of understanding who I was, or how what I believed in and stood for could be reflected in my daily and long-term decisions. Without that clarity, I let others’ expectations shape my actions instead of living and leading authentically.
Developing self-awareness is key. Start by identifying your core values and beliefs and let them guide your decisions. Grow your courage by taking small, daily steps toward purpose-driven action (action that aligns with your values and beliefs). Word to the wise, at first, aligning your actions with who you truly are may feel uncomfortable or even scary, but I encourage you to keep pushing forward. Acting in alignment with your purpose builds the confidence and authenticity you need to lead and live boldly — true to who you really are.
Can you share an example of a time when you adjusted or abandoned a goal because it no longer aligned with your deeper sense of purpose? What did you learn from that experience?
Absolutely. Early in my career, I had my sights set on climbing the corporate ladder in a fast-paced, competitive environment. On paper, I was succeeding — checking the boxes, earning promotions, and achieving goals that I thought defined success. But over time, I started to feel a deep disconnect. The constant striving didn’t feel meaningful, and I realized I was chasing a version of success that wasn’t aligned with my values or the kind of impact I wanted to make.
That realization led me to pivot into building my own company, where I focus on leadership development, team health, and organizational culture. It was a scary leap at first — I was leaving behind stability and stepping into uncertainty. A lot of people looked at me like I was crazy and I had to be able to hold onto my beliefs more than my desire to be understood by others. Building my own company allowed me to do work that’s deeply aligned with my purpose: helping leaders and organizations thrive by staying true to their values.
What I learned from that experience is that goals can be temporary but purpose is enduring. Goals change based on seasons of life, priorities adjust based on varying responsibilities, plans and plot twists life often throws our way. But who you are at your core, what you believe in, your purpose supersedes title, role, salary and notoriety. Who you are isn’t what you do. Who you are is where your purpose lies. It’s okay — and often necessary — to adjust or abandon goals that no longer serve who you are becoming. The key is to listen to that inner dissonance, get curious about what it’s telling you, and have the courage to realign your actions with your deeper sense of purpose.
What advice would you give to people trying to pursue their purpose while managing the demands of day-to-day life, such as work, family, and other responsibilities?
Pursuing your purpose while juggling life’s demands is ROUGH. No other way to say it. But it’s absolutely possible to walk in alignment with your purpose.
My first piece of advice is to give yourself permission to start small. Purpose isn’t always about grand gestures; it’s often found in the small, intentional choices you make every day. Look for ways to align your actions with your values in the spaces you already occupy — whether it’s how you show up at work, the way you nurture your relationships, or the mindset you bring to everyday challenges.
Second, prioritize your time ruthlessly. Life is full of good things, but not everything deserves your energy. Regularly evaluate where your time is going and ask yourself: Is this moving me closer to who I want to be and the impact I want to make? Learning to say “no” to distractions allows you to say “yes” to what truly matters.
Finally, remember that pursuing your purpose isn’t about balance — it’s about rhythm. There will be seasons when work demands more of you, and seasons when family or personal growth takes center stage. Embrace the ebb and flow, but keep your purpose as your guiding compass.
It’s not about doing it perfectly; it’s about doing it consistently. Over time, those small, purpose-driven steps add up to a life that reflects what you care about most.
What are “5 Ways to Align Your Goals With Your True Self”?
1. Get Clear on Who You Are — Identify Your Core Values
Start by defining what truly matters to you. Your goals should be a reflection of what matters most to you. To align them with your true self, start by identifying your core values. Use the 3 exercises I mentioned above to help you grow in self-awareness and identify what your core values, priorities and beliefs are. I once worked with a client, a senior leader, who felt unfulfilled despite their professional success. Through a values exercise, they identified that creativity and connection were core to their sense of purpose. This realization led them to restructure their role to focus on building collaborative initiatives, which reenergized their leadership and aligned their work with their true self.
2. Check Your Motives — Examine Your “Why”
Examine the motivations behind your goals. Ask yourself, “Why am I pursuing this goal?” Are you chasing validation, people-pleasing, or societal expectations? Or does this goal resonate with your purpose? Are you pursuing these goals because they align with your purpose or because of external pressures? Remember, when you take action that is misaligned with who you truly are eventually you will feel purposeless, compass-less. One client, a nonprofit director, realized they had taken on a large project solely to gain approval from their board. After reflecting on their “why,” they shifted focus to a smaller, more impactful initiative that aligned with their mission — and it yielded better results.
3. Break Down Big Goals into Purpose-driven Steps
Purpose isn’t a lofty idea — it’s revealed in the choices you make daily. Take small, consistent steps that reflect who you are and what you stand for. Alignment with your true self doesn’t require sweeping changes; start small. For instance, when I coach clients, I often suggest they assess their calendar. Are they spending time on things that align with their values and goals? Purpose is lived out in how we use our time and energy.
4. Periodically Reassess Your Goals
Who you are and what you value can evolve, and your goals should evolve to reflect that. Remember as life evolves, so should your goals. I worked with a team leader who initially focused on increasing productivity metrics but later realized their true passion was mentoring their team members. By reassessing their goals, they shifted priorities to develop a leadership pipeline, which benefited the organization and fulfilled their deeper purpose of empowering others.
5. Identify Blind Spots & Chase Authenticity over Performance
Sometimes, it’s hard to see what’s out of alignment on your own. Reaching out to an unbiased coach, mentor, or trusted advisor can illuminate blind spots and provide valuable clarity. For example, I often work with high-performing leaders who struggle with perfectionism. This tendency, while well-intentioned, can disconnect them from their true selves and lead to burnout far faster than when they lead from a place of authenticity. An unbiased coach can help you redefine what success looks like — aligned with your values and purpose rather than chasing flawless outcomes. By shifting the focus from external performance to internal alignment, you’ll create a more sustainable, fulfilling way of living and leading.
How can our readers further follow your work?
Thank you for asking! The best way to follow my work is through my website, http://boundlessandco.com where I share insights on leadership, team health, and organizational culture. I also offer complimentary 20 minute connects to those interested in seeing if we’re a good fit for consulting or coaching. You can also connect with me on Instagram @laurenbronsonpetrous @boundless_andco for a mix of professional advice, authentic conversations, and a peek into my life as a traveler and consultant. I’d love to connect and hear what resonates with you — don’t hesitate to reach out!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
About The Interviewer: Dr. Bharat Sangani is a cardiologist and entrepreneur with over 35 years of experience, practicing in Gulfport, Mississippi, and Dallas, Texas. Board-certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology, he specializes in diagnosing, treating, and preventing cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and hypertension. In 1999, Dr. Sangani founded Encore Enterprises, a national real estate investment firm. Under his leadership, the company has executed transactions exceeding $2 billion, with a portfolio spanning residential, retail, hotel, and office developments. Known for his emphasis on integrity and fairness, Dr. Sangani has built Encore into a major player in the commercial real estate sector. Blending his medical and business expertise, Dr. Sangani created the Life is a Business mentorship program. The initiative offers guidance on achieving balance in health, wealth, and relationships, helping participants align personal and professional goals. Now based in Dallas, Texas, Dr. Sangani continues to practice cardiology while leading Encore Enterprises and mentoring others. His career reflects a unique blend of medical expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others thrive.
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