Intentionality: Practical Advice for Pro-Active Leaders

By: Leslie Eldridge

Leadership: What is it?

One of the greatest leaders of all time, John Maxwell, is often quoted as saying, “Leadership is influence; nothing more, nothing less.”

Most people have envisioned themselves as leaders, fantasizing about the world they will change, the people they will impact and the followers they will gain. We are not born leaders, yet everyone possesses the potential to become a great leader. So how do we activate the leader within who so desperately wants to emerge and make herself known?

Leadership encompasses many characteristics and attributes. Most are intangible, such as kindness, thoughtfulness, awareness, compassion, intentionality and serving. To manifest these attributes on the outside, you must first manifest them on the inside. For example, if you want to be known as kind, then you have to be kind inwardly. When you are kind to yourself, and your thoughts are kind, kindness will come out of you through your actions and behavior.

True leadership is outwardly living what you inwardly believe. Leadership is: Intentionality and serving. When you begin here, and intentionally look for opportunities to serve, you will see opportunities to serve. The more you practice, like anything, the better and more effortless it becomes. The foundation of intentionality is a cornerstone to all other characteristics when strategizing your leadership approach. Intentionality is the universal tool in your toolbox. It’s the perfect sneaker or the little black dress in your closet. Intentionality is a must have, no exceptions, if you want to experience the fruit of influence as a leader.

Intentional Strategies

Intentionality starts the second the alarm goes off in the morning. Cortisol is now coursing through your veins thanks to the adrenaline rush triggered by the abrupt sound from your alarm clock. Hundreds of thoughts and plans are being made internally, such as work, the kids, car-pool, schedules, meetings, checking social media, etc. If you aren’t one of those who spring out of bed like bread from a toaster at the first sound of the alarm, then you are of my ilk – those that lie there thinking about and intentionally planning the day ahead. In my experience, there are three steps you can take each morning to help set you on your intentional roadmap course:

1. Set your alarm to wake you up ten minutes before you really have to get up.
2. Reset your alarm to wake you up to a gradient ringtone and not a blaring one (talk about getting your day off on a wrong note). I personally like and recommend “Ripples” or “Slow Rise” on my iPhone for a softer awakening.
3. Those ten minutes before you “officially” wake up are your golden opportunity to be intentional. Think about what you want to project today – Is it kindness? Thoughtfulness? Unconditional love? Whatever your intentions are, they will statistically become more attainable because of your intentions than they would without them. Remember: Intention creates awareness, and awareness makes way for action.

In John Maxwell’s book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth: Live Them and Reach Your Potential, chapter two is devoted to the Law of Intentionality. I strongly encourage you to practice this law. Master it until being a person of intention becomes second nature to you.

Serving with Intention

There are a thousand ways to serve. Even with minimal effort, you can identify gaps and needs around you that can be bridged by simply taking the initiative.

I would be remiss if I didn’t say that you are also doing a great disservice to the world around you not serve yourself first. You can’t give away what you don’t have. If you want to show kindness or thoughtfulness to the world around you but you are unkind to yourself, then what you will give away is “pseudo-kindness”. Those you are trying to be kind to will know you are not being genuine and react accordingly. It could potentially destroy your efforts and ultimately thwart your transformation efforts by not mastering these principles within yourself first.

You may be wondering, “How do I show myself kindness?” Simply put, the same way you would show kindness to your best friend. You listen to them, empathize with them, encourage and are patient with them, love them, make them smile, treat them to a surprise, etc. Remember, as John Maxwell says: “Growth inside fuels growth outside.”

I believe there is a leader and a world-changer in all of us! Our first frontier as world-changers begins with changing and developing our inner worlds, mindsets, limiting beliefs, thoughts and behaviors. A whole new world of passion, fulfillment and unlocked potential is available to all who dare to step into this journey. Trust yourself, trust the process and celebrate your daily progress!

Leslie Eldridge is a certified John Maxwell Team member and founder of IOU Hub (Inside Out Universe). IOU Hub is a leadership training and Development Company, focused on tapping into the intangible attributes of good character thru hands on practices, content, coaching, and transformational growth experiences.

Leslie is also a certified international health coach with the Institute for Integrative Nutrition, (IIN) and has an insatiable passion for health. She understands that health means more than food, and that nutrition also comes in the forms of relationships, faith, work, home life, experiences, and exercise. She is a recovering sugar addict who used to put SIX packets of sugar into a small cup of coffee, and eat sweets round the clock rather than eat real food! She understands what it is like to battle addiction, and the confidence that is gained by overcoming addiction. She is passionate about helping people overcome in those same areas.