May 14, 2025  

“Quo Vadis” | Where Are You Going…And Why Does It Matter for Your Faith and Work? | WT #113

The question “Quo Vadis?” — Latin for “Where are you going?”–is more than just a line from history or scripture. It’s a profound invitation to pause and consider the direction of our faith, our work, and our impact.

When Peter, fleeing persecution, encountered the risen Christ and asked, “Quo vadis, Domine?” (“Where are you going, Lord?”), the answer he received transformed his path.

It’s a question that still holds transformative power for us today.

A Question That Found Me

My friend Bill Dowd once gave a talk centered on this question and it struck me.

For years, I found myself involved in various meaningful efforts – men’s groups, executive coaching, and leadership programs, for example. I knew these endeavors were important, that I was meant to be doing them, but I struggled to see how they all connected.

Like many leaders, I kept these parts of my life somewhat siloed, unable to articulate the deeper, unifying purpose.

Since then, clarity has emerged. I’ve come to see these threads woven together into a greater purpose: to show executives, like you, how to lead truly integrated lives.

Living with Integritas

The Latin root of “integrity” is integritas—meaning whole, full or consistent.

This is the heart of the IntegratedLife.Network (ILN): a growing community where we don’t just talk about aligning faith and work; we actively practice it.

It means applying timeless principles to everyday leadership, facing tough decisions with conviction & optimism, and showing up as our whole selves—at home, in our work, and in our communities.

Whether you’re just curious or seeking deeper engagement, there’s a place for you in this community. Some follow our email updates for insights, while others join a peer group Forum for more profound connection and growth.

Practical Tools for Your Journey

An integrated life isn’t just a concept; it’s a practice.

To help you begin or deepen this journey, we offer a few simple yet powerful tools designed for reflection, growth, and alignment:

The Integrated Life Log: Your starting point. A daily and weekly guide to help you notice what truly matters and move forward with intention.

  • PERSONAL GROWTH: Temperament Quiz: Learn about the Temperaments, and use this tool for self-awareness, helping you understand your unique wiring and how you can connect more effectively with others.
  • PROFESSIONAL GROWTH: Align18 Assessment: Designed to clarify how you and your team communicate and make decisions, especially under pressure.
  • SPIRITUAL GROWTH: Principled Decision-Making (PDM) Worksheet: A practical framework to navigate complex choices through the lens of your core principles.

You can also find these resources at IntegratedLife.Network (ILN) (just scroll to the bottom of the homepage).

Let’s Map Out That Path Together

If the idea of leading a more integrated, impactful life resonates with you, I’d genuinely love to connect.

Here are two simple ways to take the next step:

  • Schedule a Virtual Coffee: Email me at darren@authenticleadershipfoundation.org or text 214-535-9333, and let’s find a time to chat.
  • Join Our Next Fundamental Training: Experience our approach firsthand. Session 1 focuses on Principled Decision-Making, the foundation for an integrated life. (You can register as my guest for the next training on Friday, June 13th, 11a-1p ‘live’ & virtual).

My question to you is: “Quo Vadis?”

Where are you going?

Let’s map out that path together.

This article was last modified on May 14, 2025 .

About the author 

Darren Smith

Darren Smith is Co-Founder of the Authentic Leadership Institute. He is a native Texan and a graduate of Dallas Jesuit and Texas A&M University. Over the past 25 years, Darren has visited 35 countries and led 100 strategy programs. He and his wife have five children.


Tags


You may also like

The C-Suite of Learning | WT #137

The C-Suite of Learning | WT #137