19 March 2025
How to lead with purpose and make a real impact
By Cherie Mylordis
There’s a reason it’s become a raging cliché to talk about the workplace moving rapidly. It’s because it’s true. We’re living it, breathing it, leading through it. So, we’re kinda sick of hearing about it.
And yes, leadership today really is more complex than ever.
Expectations of leaders are sky-high. And like a clapping seal at the zoo, the pressure to perform simply never stops.
If you’re like many ambitious leaders, you’re already doing many of the right things. You’re juggling the balls, supporting your team, delivering results.
And yet, it can still feel like you’re stuck in reactive mode, constantly putting out fires rather than making the impact on the world you know deep down that you’re capable of.
Most great leaders I’ve worked with want to leave the world and their organisation in a better way than they found it.
I bet you’re the same?
But here’s the truth: Great leaders don’t just react. They lead with intention.
The most influential leaders aren’t the busiest, the loudest. They’re often not even the smartest (sssh, don’t tell them I said that!).
But great leaders are the ones who make deliberate choices about how they lead, where they focus their energy and what they stand for.
This is the power of intentional leadership. It’s a beautiful way to lead with clarity, purpose and focus.
Let’s break down what intentional leadership is, why it’s the key to creating meaningful impact, and how you can apply it today.
What is intentional leadership?
Intentional leadership means leading with a conscious purpose rather than simply reacting to whatever’s thrown at you.
It’s about making strategic decisions, setting clear priorities and focusing on what truly matters. It takes you away from ‘just keeping up’ and towards leading with impact.
But let me be super clear. Intentional leadership is not about doing more.
Phew, right? You already have enough on your plate.
Rather, intentional leadership is about choosing the right things to focus on. This way, you can lead with confidence and impact rather than risking burnout and exhaustion.
And if you’re ready to put it into practice, grab my free Leadership Intention Guide. The step-by-step resource helps you define your leadership focus and take action.
But here’s the truth: Great leaders don’t just react. They lead with intention.
The difference between reactive and intentional leadership
Reactive leaders:
- Get caught up in daily firefighting
- Say yes to everything, stretching themselves too thin
- Feel frustrated by constant change and shifting priorities
- Lack clarity on where to focus their energy
Sound familiar? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But shifting to intentional leadership is possible. And it’s so worth it.
Intentional leaders:
- Make conscious choices about where to invest their time
- Align their leadership approach with their core values
- Focus on long-term impact rather than just short-term wins
- Create clarity for themselves and their teams
Be honest, which one sounds more like you?
If you’re identifying more as a reactive leader than intentional, you’re in the right place.
The reality is that most workplaces don’t train their leaders on how to lead with clarity and purpose. Most leaders only learn it through guidance, coaching or mentoring from a more experienced leader.
Yet not everyone is lucky enough to have a coach or mentor.
That’s why I created the Leadership Intention Guide. It gives you a structured way to define your leadership focus and take meaningful action.
Intentional leadership is about choosing the right things to focus on. This way you can lead with confidence and impact, rather than risking burnout and exhaustion.
Why intentional leadership is more critical than ever
Most of us feel like we’re often juggling a million competing balls. And without intention, purpose and clarity, the juggle is exhausting and, frankly, unsustainable.
Here’s what you risk when you operate without intention:
- You feel overwhelmed, pulled in too many directions (hello, burnout)
- Your team lacks focus, unclear on what really matters
- You struggle to make an impact despite relentless working hours
But when you get intentional, everything changes.
Suddenly, you find:
- You know what matters so you can cut through the noise
- People listen to you because you speak and act like you own the room
- You navigate challenges with confidence
- Your team is more engaged and focused
So, how do you become an intentional leader? It starts with three key steps.
Three steps to leading with intention
Step 1: Define your leadership purpose
If you don’t know what you stand for as a leader, leading with intention is hard.
Take a moment to reflect on:
- What drives you?
- What kind of leader do you aspire to be?
- How do you want people to experience your leadership?
👉 Action step: Write down three words that define the leader you want to be. These should be words that genuinely mean something to you. Avoid corporate buzzwords.
Step 2: Focus on what matters most
Not everything deserves your attention. But without clarity, it’s easy to get stuck in unproductive work, endless meetings or outdated practices.
The best leaders don’t just manage their time – they manage their focus.
Ask yourself:
- What’s distracting you from leading with impact?
- What can you ditch to free up time for more meaningful work?
- What’s one high-impact leadership priority you can double down on?
👉 Action step: Pick one outdated task, habit or commitment to let go of right now so you can create space for what matters.
Step 3: Commit to action and accountability
Intentions are powerful, but only if you act on them.
Setting clear leadership intentions helps you:
- Stay on track (even in times of uncertainty)
- Focus on progress, not perfection
- Create momentum by taking small, consistent steps
Ask yourself:
- What are three leadership intentions I want to commit to?
- How will I hold myself accountable to them?
- Who in my network can support me in staying focused?
👉 Action step: Write down three leadership intentions for the next 90 days. Want help structuring them? My Leadership Intention Guide will walk you through it.
Ready to lead with intention?
Intentional leadership is both a skill to learn and a choice to make.
The choice is the first step, and it lies with you.
The best leaders don’t wait for clarity to come to them. They create it.
If you’re ready to lead with more clarity, confidence and focus, download the Leadership Intention Guide.
The step-by-step framework helps you define your leadership purpose and lead forward with intention.