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Harmonizing Culture and Purpose: Lessons from Gitima Sharma

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In this episode, Dr. Gitima Sharma, Associate Professor of Counseling at California State University, Fresno, and Founder of CoachInspire, shares her remarkable journey from navigating family mental health challenges in India to becoming a leading purpose researcher and coach in the United States.

Drawing from both Eastern philosophy and Western psychology, Sharma offers a unique perspective on how purpose and meaning shape our work and lives.

With over 30 published research articles and a deep commitment to mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds, she brings a cross-cultural lens to the transformative power of purpose. Her approach blends Buddhist principles of human revolution with evidence-based practices in positive psychology, creating a holistic framework for personal and systemic change.

The Buddhist Roots of Purpose

At the heart of Sharma's perspective lies the Buddhist concept of Human Revolution - the idea that lasting positive change requires inner transformation of hearts and minds.

As she explains:

"Presently, we are facing, as humanity, unprecedented struggles that include war in our global family, violence, hate crimes, division... However, even if these struggles are unprecedented, they are not unique in any way, because as humanity, we have continued to undergo these cycles... The reality is that until people's hearts and minds do not change in the direction of good, nothing substantial can be achieved."

Unlike mainstream Western mindsets that often focus purpose towards individual fulfillment, this foundation informs Sharma’s definition of purpose as something that transcends individual satisfaction, requiring both personal growth and contribution to collective wellbeing.

The Five Phases of Purpose Development

Sharma shares her research-informed model for cultivating purpose that includes five interconnected phases:

  1. Explore: Examining who we are in the context of our strengths, passions, family history, and cultural identity

  2. Engage: Taking action with causes we care about and challenging ourselves through concrete goals

  3. Reflect: Creating dedicated time and space to process our experiences and their meaning

  4. Articulate: Finding ways to express and share our purpose with others

  5. Actualize: Setting specific goals and accessing resources needed to fulfill our purpose

"It's like when you're climbing the mountain," she explains, "the higher you go, the view becomes clearer... We are not always aware of the underlying meaning and purpose when we are amidst the struggles. But if we get the right support, we tap into right strengths, and we overcome that one struggle, the view or the meaning and purpose becomes clearer and clearer."

Cultural Context and Identity in Purpose Development

Much of Sharma's research has focused on first-generation and minority students, revealing how cultural context shapes the experience and expression of purpose.

Her studies found that many students:

  • Frame their purpose in terms of gratitude and repaying their parents' sacrifices

  • Seek to create pathways for others from similar backgrounds

  • Need support around believing in their own potential before they can fully explore purpose

  • Value mentorship and community encouragement in their purpose journey

Practical Applications for Leaders and Organizations

For educators, managers, and others seeking to foster purpose in their organizations, Sharma emphasizes two key approaches:

Lead with Humanity:

"If we don't have the humanity to believe in other people's potential and really believe in the fact that the student, client, employee whom I'm serving is this unique person with their own unique life's journey... then we won't even make a genuine effort to help them to reflect upon their purpose."

Create Authentic Spaces:

Focus on "creating spaces where people can authentically share about themselves, bring their whole selves into work, their intersectional identities, and then reflect upon the value they bring to our work or our educational environments and just society and our world's future at large."

Conclusion

By weaving together Eastern wisdom, rigorous research, and practical application, Sharma offers a unique and valuable perspective on how we can cultivate purpose in ways that honor both individual wellbeing and collective flourishing.

Her work reminds us that meaningful work isn't just about personal satisfaction - it's about contributing to a larger vision of positive change while staying true to our authentic selves and cultural roots.

Resources for Further Exploration

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