In our last blog, we shared that throughout the new year, we would be exploring the importance of leading with purpose and self-compassion. These practices are not just acts of self-preservation but powerful tools to enhance well-being, happiness, and overall leadership effectiveness.  

In the year ahead, we encourage you to embrace these principles with intention. By leading with purpose and practising self-compassion, you will create the clarity and energy to lead with impact and resilience. 

Let’s explore what we mean by leading with impact through intentional and purposeful leadership.  

Intentional and Purposeful Leadership

We love leadership expert Simon Sinek and his books on the topic of finding your why. If you haven’t read his books, watched his videos or attended any of the workshops, we encourage you to do so. 

In the simplest sense, the definition of your “WHY” is about getting clarity on the contributions you have to offer the world. It encompasses both your professional and personal purpose and reflects who you are as an individual. It’s also about understanding your strengths, motivations and how you will add value to those around you. When we establish this level of clarity on the impact we want to have on others, amazing things happen to our performance, engagement, and overall satisfaction in all aspects of life.

My “why” and purpose is to help coach, mentor and support others so they can be more effective leaders and human beings in all aspects of life. Leadership isn’t about a fancy title, rank or role, it's about the impact and influence you have on others. If you do not have this level of clarity, we encourage you to take the time to reflect on this and reach out to us if you need a sounding board.

Every single interaction matters. Employee engagement and satisfaction are highly dependent on how well you interact and engage with others because your people are following your lead. Be mindful and aware of the fact that your people are observing you and are watching how you manage and lead yourself in every interaction whether it’s formal or informal.  

Why it Matters‍

Let’s explore the impact that intentional and purposeful leadership has on your performance and on achieving collective success.  

• Intentional leaders establish clear goals and objectives for their teams which help everyone understand what is most important so they work effectively and cohesively.  When roles, responsibilities, goals and objectives are unclear it can create unnecessary work, frustration and feelings of overwhelm and it’s certainly not strategic.

• Purposeful leaders foster alignment among team members, encouraging collaboration and commitment to shared objectives which boosts morale and engagement.

• When leaders act with intention and purpose, they are better equipped to navigate challenges by helping others stay focused on what is most important, even through tough times.

• Purposeful leaders invest in the growth and development of their team members, empowering them to take ownership of their role and career. This not only enhances individual performance, but it also builds stronger and more capable teams.

• Intentional leaders influence organizational culture by establishing values and norms that guide appropriate behaviors. This fosters a positive workplace culture and creates a sense of belonging for everyone.

For additional insights and tips on intentional and purposeful leadership, please explore our blog The 5 Critical Ps of Being an Effective Leader.  

I often hear from the leaders that there just isn’t enough time to get everything done. We remind them about the 5 Ps so they can be strategic, selective and purposeful as they navigate their busy schedule and workload.  

Stay tuned. In the coming weeks, we will dive deeper into the topic of self-compassion, my power word this year. 

Over to You

What are your thoughts on this topic of intentional and purposeful leadership? Have you tapped into your why and purpose? We want to hear your feedback and insights on this topic.You can email me at joanne.trotta@leadersedgeinc.ca or call 416.560.1806.