Intentional leaders don't just react to the day—they shape it. They align their actions with their values and leadership purpose through small, consistent habits.
Here are five habits that show up again and again in those who lead with clarity, care, and purpose.
1. Start the Day with a 5-minute Centering Practice
Why it matters: Intentional leaders begin from within. Before diving into the chaos of emails and meetings, they take a moment to ground themselves, clarify what matters most, and choose how they want to show up.
Example: Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, begins each day with a mindfulness routine. He reflects on what kind of energy he wants to bring to his meetings—especially when they involve tension or difficult feedback. "Empathy is not a soft skill," he says. "It's the hardest skill we learn."
Try it: Ask yourself: "What would make today meaningful?" or "What energy do I want to bring into the room?"
2. Intentionally Connect with One Person on the Team
Why it matters: Connection fuels trust and belonging. Intentional leaders make space for honest, human interaction beyond just transactional check-ins.
Example: The Group General Manager for a large publishing company made it a habit to walk the floor every morning and ask one team member, "What's one thing on your mind today?" It became a culture builder—people felt seen, and it created a ripple of care across teams. In lean management this concept is called the Gemba Walk.
Try it: Schedule a five-minute Slack message, call, or stop by with no agenda to check in and listen.
3. Align Your Calendar with Your Intentions
Why it matters: Your calendar is your strategy in action. Your leadership gets out of sync if your time doesn't reflect your priorities.
Example: Indra Nooyi, former PepsiCo CEO, blocked out weekly time for "future focus"—thinking about innovation, emerging markets, and long-term talent bets. It wasn't urgent, but it was essential.
Try it: Once a day, scan your calendar: "Does this reflect what matters most to me right now?" Reclaim even 15 minutes if it doesn't.
4. Practice Micro-Reflection After Key Moments
Why it matters: Leadership happens in moments, not just plans. Reflecting on them quickly helps you lead better and faster.
Example: A tech team lead uses voice memos after 1:1s or team meetings to capture three things: What worked? What felt off? What will I do differently next time?
Try it: Keep a "Leadership Notes" doc or app. After a decision, conversation, or misstep, ask: "What was my intention—and did I live it out?"
5. End the Day with a Quick Integrity Check
Why it matters: Leaders don't just look back on what they did, but who they were. This habit reinforces alignment between action and values.
Example: A founder of a growing startup uses the end of the day to ask:
- Did I act in line with my values today?
- Where did I default to autopilot?
- What am I proud of?
Try it: Make it a 3-minute journal, or pause on the commute or walk—no judgment—just awareness.
Final Thought
Intentional leadership isn't about having everything figured out. It's about showing up purposefully—in your choices, presence, and impact. These five habits are small hinges that swing big doors.
