I’ve had the privilege of working with numerous leaders across various industries and around the world. As an executive leadership coach, I’ve guided my clients to observe that the most exceptional leaders share a common trait that sets them apart: intentionality.
Intentionality is the key characteristic that distinguishes truly exceptional leaders from their counterparts. It’s the driving force behind their actions. It is the guiding principle that shapes their decision-making. It is the foundation upon which they build their leadership legacy. Here are some ways that this one word makes a big difference in every leadership journey:
Strategic Decision-Making Exceptional leaders are not swayed by impulse or momentary whims. By being intentional, leaders approach decisions with a thoughtful consideration of long-term impacts rather than short-term gains. This strategic perspective fosters sustainable success and avoids the pitfalls of reactive leadership.
Purposeful in Communication: Exceptional leaders communicate with clarity and purpose. Intentional leaders communicate with clarity and purpose. They understand that every interaction is an opportunity to reinforce goals, shape the culture, and motivate their team. This leads to a more engaged and committed workforce.
Cultivating Trust: When leaders consistently act with intentionality, they build trust within their team. Members feel confident that their leaders are not only skilled but also genuinely committed to their well-being and professional growth.
Personal Accountability: Intentional leaders hold themselves accountable for their actions and the outcomes they produce. This accountability promotes a culture of responsibility and transparency throughout the organization.
Focused Alignment: Leaders who practice intentionality align their actions with their organization’s mission and values. This alignment ensures that every decision contributes to the strategic vision, optimizing resources and efforts towards achieving key objectives.
In the end, the true mark of exceptional leadership boils down to intentionality. It’s the intentionality that guides their decisions, their communication, their relationships, their personal growth, and their impact on the organization. By embracing this intentionality, exceptional leaders are able to inspire their teams, drive meaningful change.
Lead From Within: An intentional leader will always be an exceptional leader because everything they do they do with purpose.
#1 N A T I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
The Leadership Gap
What Gets Between You and Your Greatness
After decades of coaching powerful executives around the world, Lolly Daskal has observed that leaders rise to their positions relying on a specific set of values and traits. But in time, every executive reaches a point when their performance suffers and failure persists. Very few understand why or how to prevent it.
Additional Reading you might enjoy:
- Everything You Need to Know about Becoming a Great Leader
- 12 Signs You Have the Mindset to Be a Great Leader
- 10 Tests Every Great Leader Must Pass
- 6 Lessons Every Great Leader Learns on the Job
- 7 Basic Things Every Great Leader Should Know
- The One Quality Every Leader Needs To Succeed
Of Lolly’s many awards and accolades, Lolly was designated a Top-50 Leadership and Management Expert by Inc. magazine. Huffington Post honored Lolly with the title of The Most Inspiring Woman in the World. Her writing has appeared in HBR, Inc.com, Fast Company (Ask The Expert), Huffington Post, and Psychology Today, and others. Her newest book, The Leadership Gap: What Gets Between You and Your Greatness has become a national bestseller.