Amanda Brock is the CEO of OpenUK, a UK-based not-for-profit company which supports open source collaboration and open technologies. She is also a regular international keynote speaker and writer for both academic journals and the tech press, experienced in a range of disruptive technologies, digital transformation and open technology strategy. She has been shortlisted for ‘Woman of the Year’ in the 2022 Women in IT Awards. 

What does purpose mean to you?

I was fifty a couple of years ago. Hitting that marker was a time for huge contemplation and figuring out what my purpose was (at least for now). That necessitated making some very big changes in my life. A half a century of experiences, good and bad, add up to quite a lot to work through.

For me, purpose is the thing that drives me each day and gives me my mojo. It’s what motivates the connections I have with people and between thoughts. I have a very scattered mind, but this also gives me my superpower. I see connections others can’t or don’t recognise. The true benefit of this is something I have only understood recently. 

What is your idea of professional fulfillment?

I’ve never felt a connection between money and fulfillment. My career has taken a meandering path from an early stage, following what was interesting to me at the time as opposed to what is lucrative. 

I find my role as CEO of a not-for-profit, doing something I consider useful, truly fulfilling. For me, this comes from a general sense of engagement, driving to achieve something that I consider worthwhile, making a difference to society, and at the same time, leading people.

Building organisations with people-centric structures and creating collective equity is fundamental to how businesses ought to be. It really matters to me to lead a business that’s built in this way. I think that’s reflected in who OpenUK attracts – those who volunteer and partner with us. We’re one of the most diverse groups I’ve ever seen in tech. 

In my current role the team is primarily made up of volunteers. That creates its own challenges but offers me the additional opportunity to support people develop and evolve their careers.

What leader inspires you?

During COP26, I met Baroness Helena Kennedy.  She has been a hero of mine for many years and her work on social justice is truly inspiring. Have you seen what she has done this year to rescue over 100 female Afghan Judges and their families? 

I’m also a fan of Gabor Mate, Eckhart Tolle and Brene Brown, whose work inspires me and has helped me to evolve.

When do you feel the most purposeful?

When I don’t try. 

Just the other day one of my oldest friends, Jim, was explaining a phenomenon in professional athletics, “When you try too hard and give something that should be automatic too much thought rather than allowing it to flow.” It all goes wrong, and we’ve all experienced it. 

For me, I am most purposeful when I am in my flow, when I am present without trying. Sometimes that means when I don’t consciously intend something and sometimes it’s when I allow myself time away from my goals with a walk in nature for example. 

What’s the hardest thing about trying to be purpose-driven?

Once you find purpose, living purposefully is intuitive. Getting to your purpose is the tough bit. 

It may take a number of brave decisions to be true to our purpose. It requires some real self-love and self-belief. That’s not easy to do. 

Many people never find their purpose. For a lot of people, it’s just easier to hide behind convention and avoid the work. That’s not a criticism, just a reality.

Of those who understand their purpose, many I know didn’t find this when young. Enthused by youth and desire to do the right thing (what we thought that we ought to do) we jumped on the treadmill and followed the path well-trodden. That generally leads to a hollow period later in life which can trigger some deep and honest self-discovery.

I find being purpose-driven easier than anything that has happened in my life before. It’s something that one does with absolute authenticity and presence, so I feel entirely engaged. There’s no need to try. It just is. 

What’s your hope for the future of business?

I would like to see a shift in how organisations are run on a universal basis to create more respect for people. Respect is fundamental to collective equity and to creating businesses that are human-centric, with broader concerns than shareholder value, that will build all of us a more sustainable future.