How Intentional Are You?

I was recently coaching a leader and she used the word INTENTION. 

I feel like there is no escaping this word at the moment. It’s been popping up in a lot of places. And so it's a word I have been reflecting on a lot over the last few days.

What is my intent as a leader?

What is my intent when it comes to the big ambitions I am pursing and the vision I want to drive? But also, what is my intent each and every day when I am there working with my people, my stakeholders and my community?

Intentional leaders have clarity on what their purpose is and what are the things they want to achieve in living that purpose. What better way to really see the impact of clarity and intentionality on leadership than from this matrix from Mark Sanborn's book 'The Intention Imperative'.

When we lack clarity and intentionality, there is no leadership. Or if you are this person in a leadership role, we could go as far as calling it negligent leadership.

Clarity is important but it’s not enough. You need to know where you are going, but you also need to know how to get there and take the steps needed to get there. Without this, it’s just wishful leadership.

Similarly intention alone is not enough. When we are taking action but with no clear focus or intention we are guilty of vague leadership.

It’s when we have both clarity and intentionality that we become intentional leaders. In Sanborn's own words: "Intentional leadership is knowing where you want to go and taking consistent action in the world as it is, not the world as it was, to get there".

That is where the leadership magic happens.

Where do you feel you sit now on the matrix? 

If you want to get to the Intentional Leadership quadrant, then get in contact to make it happen.

Written by Natalie Dawes, CEO & Founder