I am still reflecting on the powerful ‘salon’ that was the ‘Humans at Work’ festival last week, led by Helen Beurier. Intentionality was a key theme for me and indeed it is one of the most powerful shifts any leader can make: moving from momentum to intentionality. Momentum can be seductive: it keeps us busy, productive, even successful, but often it means we are coasting, or in the passenger seat! Intentionality is what happens when we are in the driving seat, taking control and asking: Is this the life I meant to build? Is this the career I meant to lead?
We can all fall into the trap of drifting, not because we lack ambition, but because we’ve never been taught to treat our career as something to be actively designed or because we have always just done what we think we should do, rather than what we want to do.
Being intentional doesn’t mean having a perfect plan. It means knowing what energises you, what drains you, what you want to be known for, and what you will no longer tolerate. It means making choices that align with your values, not just your calendar. It means recognising that every role, every project, every conversation is either moving you closer to the leader you want to be, or further away.
Intentionality is also an act of courage. It requires saying no to things that look impressive but don’t serve you. It requires asking for opportunities rather than waiting to be tapped on the shoulder. It requires being honest about your strengths and even more honest about your blind spots. And it requires surrounding yourself with people who challenge you, not just those who cheer you on.
The truth is simple: your career is too important to be left to chance. The world is changing too fast, expectations are rising too sharply, and the demands on leaders are too great. Being in the driving seat is no longer optional, it’s the only way to navigate a world where complexity is the norm and clarity is self‑generated.
With that in mind, take time to think:
- What are you choosing right now, and what are you simply allowing to happen?
- Where in your life or career are you acting out of habit rather than intention?
- What would you do differently if you trusted your own judgement more deeply?
- What are you saying “yes” to that no longer serves you?
- What are you saying “no” to that you actually want?
As leaders, we can show our people that we are role modelling the changes that all of us want to see. Let’s be better and be the change – contact [email protected] if you would like help to do so.
For more articles, encouraging you to think and be the change – visit here.