Resourced Humans – Mini Soundbite Series
Purpose is momentum, that feeling of being on the right track, moving forward with energy even when resistance shows up.
By Luke O’Mahoney
Founder, Sapien
Introduction
Luke O’Mahoney is a founder, community builder, and voice for change in how we think about people work. His view of purpose is not fixed or abstract but something lived in motion, felt most strongly when momentum carries him in the right direction. Whether through deep creative flow, moments of community connection, or his morning coffee ritual, Luke shows how purpose, grounding, and impact come from staying true to your own rhythm.
What does purpose mean to you?
“Purpose to me means your sense of direction, and that can be different for everyone. There is a lot of conversation around purpose and the role it plays, but for me, purpose is when I feel like momentum is moving me in the direction that feels right for me. That can show up in different ways, through family, through work, through social life, but it is when I really feel like my momentum is going forward with very little resistance. And even when resistance does come, I can push through it because I feel a sense that I am on the right track.”
Luke reminds us that purpose is not a final destination but a feeling of forward movement that makes challenges easier to overcome.
When do you feel most connected to your work?
“I feel most connected to my work at two times. When I am in deep creative work, I feel very connected, in flow state, very in the zone. And the other time I feel most connected to my work is within the community. When we are doing live events, live learning experiences, or just meeting up for informal breakfasts, when I am surrounded by people that just get it. You feel like you are with your people, and that really energises me. I feel super connected in a very tangible way to my work and what I am doing.”
Connection comes both in solitude and togetherness. For Luke, flow and community create two sides of the same coin.
What does being resourced feel like to you?
“Being resourced to me is an interesting question because I am a bootstrapped founder these days, and almost formerly a bootstrapped head of people. I do not think I have ever been resourced. If I think about an ideal state, it would be having access to both the practical and tactical tools I need to execute what I am trying to execute, but also being well rested and healthy. I feel more able to be all of me when I have good rituals around food, exercise, and sleep, which is not always easy as a bootstrap founder and father of two. Being resourced is having what I need physically, practically, and tactically to do what I want to do.”
Resources are more than budgets and tools. For Luke, they are also energy, health, and the rituals that allow him to give his best.
What helps you stay grounded, especially in challenging moments?
“Staying grounded for me comes from one-on-one time with my wife. It is the one time where I can just be fully me, when I do not have to play a role or be something for someone else. Whenever I am feeling anxious or overwhelmed, my wife will spot it and say right, come on, we are going for brunch. We spend an hour or two by ourselves, no kids, no business, and that really anchors me. Being able to just be myself fully only really happens when it is just me and my wife.”
Grounding often comes from the simplest presence. For Luke, it is about being truly himself with the person who knows him best.
What’s something you wish more people understood about what you do?
“People often misunderstand what I do. From a work perspective, there are a lot of external optics around HR being rebranded, with new names on old practices. The biggest misunderstanding about what I am trying to do now is that this is not about rebranding HR. It is about shifting it into something entirely different. The idea of product-led people experience is a complete shift away from traditional HR practices. There is resistance to that, and even among those who embrace it there are many different ways it can be applied. For me, the main misunderstanding is people thinking this is just HR with a new name, but it really is not. It is a huge shift in mindset, thinking, and working, which can be difficult to comprehend for those who have only known traditional HR.”
Luke challenges us to see beyond labels. His work is not a rebrand but a rethinking of what people functions can be.
What kind of impact are you hoping to make in your job, even in small ways?
“The impact I want to create with my work is to change work, society, and the world in that order. It sounds grand but I believe it. For most people, the biggest contact time we have in a week is with work. If we can improve that experience and create situations where people enjoy what they do and thrive on a daily basis, that improves their relationships with themselves, with partners, children, and friends. Maybe even with the person that cuts them off in traffic, because they feel more content. There is a butterfly effect that happens when we improve work, and it spreads into society and beyond. That is why my intention is to change work, society, and the world, in that order.”
Big visions start with everyday experiences. For Luke, work is the starting point for a ripple effect that can reach the world.
What’s one small thing that helps you feel like yourself?
“One regular ritual for me is making coffee. I am obsessed with it, so much so it has become part of my business and my brand. I take great pleasure in my morning ritual of selecting beans, weighing them, grinding them, and making a pour over. Then I sit for a few seconds before a child jumps on me to enjoy that coffee. The ritual of making it is my little sanctuary. That corner of the kitchen is mine and no one else comes there. It is my daily five minutes of escape that resets me.”
Even small rituals can be sacred. Luke’s coffee routine is less about caffeine and more about carving out a moment of sanctuary.
Has your sense of purpose changed over time?
“My sense of purpose has definitely changed over time. I think that is natural as we mature. In my younger years purpose was selfish, focused on attaining more things, wealth, or personal status. Now purpose for me is momentum, but the way I define it has shifted. Today it is about creating opportunities and experiences. It starts at home, creating opportunities for my wife and children. Then for friends and family. Then through my work and community, where those opportunities ripple into organisations and the people in them. Purpose has become external, about leaving space for others to define what those opportunities and experiences mean for them.”
Purpose often shifts from inward to outward. For Luke, it is now about creating opportunities for others to define their own path.
If you could share one message with this community, what would it be?
“My message to the Resourced Humans community is do not do what you are told just because it is expected. In HR we are cast with an identity projected onto us, and we can slip into acting out that persona for others. But especially now, it is important to set better boundaries, communicate clearly, and talk about the value we want to create. For too long, HR has been seen as a passive function, but this is the time to find our voice, reposition ourselves, and challenge when it matters. Do not stay quiet when you feel you should be questioning something. Bringing that voice out will make you, your business, and our profession better.”
Luke calls for courage. HR is not just there to execute, it is there to lead, to challenge, and to shape a better future of work.
Luke’s reflections capture the heart of why this series exists. He challenges the old narratives about HR and shows how purpose, impact, and resilience come from momentum, voice, and community. His words are a reminder that meaningful change does not come from following expectations but from finding the courage to question, to create, and to keep moving forward on the right track.
Feeling inspired?
Let’s talk about how MYNDUP helps people feel more resourced, more often.