5 Leadership Intentions for the Year Ahead
Intentions anchor us. They remind us of who we are becoming and guide our actions in a world that constantly pulls at our attention. Setting intentions can help you stay grounded, focused, and connected to your power.
Below, you’ll find five intentions to develop your leadership in simple but profound ways. Not someday, but starting right now.
I will let my purpose drive my actions.
Your “why” encompasses what you value, who you serve, and the change you want to create. When you stay connected to it, your decisions become clearer and your direction stronger. Purpose acts as a compass during moments of uncertainty, reminding you what matters most and helping you choose actions that align with your vision, rather than reacting out of fear or pressure.
When people see that your actions are rooted in something meaningful, they trust you and feel empowered to connect with their own purpose. By centering on what truly motivates you, you will build resilience, clarity, and credibility.
Read more about how your “why” is your leadership superpower.
I will spend more time with those who inspire me.
Surrounding yourself with people who energize, challenge, and uplift you will nourish your motivation and expand your sense of what’s possible. Inspirational relationships act as a mirror that reflects your strengths back to you.
By intentionally seeking out those who inspire you, you will create an environment that supports your growth. People who dream boldly, act courageously, and lead with compassion can shift your perspective and help you rise to your own potential.
I will celebrate small wins.
Leadership is built through consistent, incremental progress, not just big milestones. Celebrating small wins reinforces the truth that each step forward, no matter how small, contributes to meaningful change. Acknowledging these moments will strengthen your confidence, sustain your momentum, and create a sense of accomplishment that will fuel you through challenges.
Taking time to celebrate them will keep you grounded in gratitude and will help prevent burnout by showing you that your effort matters.
Here’s what Julie, one of our Local Leader Lab alums, has to say about celebrating wins.
I will focus on what I can control.
Life can become overwhelming when you place your energy into things outside your influence. By focusing on your mindset, your actions, and your boundaries, you will bring clarity and calm into moments of uncertainty.
This intention also strengthens your adaptability. When you stop fighting against what you cannot change, you will free up energy within yourself to innovate and problem-solve. Great leaders know where their influence begins and ends, and they act decisively within that space.
I will stop waiting for others to step up.
It’s common to feel the need to be “ready” before stepping up, but real readiness comes through action, not perfection. Stepping up creates opportunities for growth for you and for the people who are watching.
By stepping forward instead of waiting, you become the spark that ignites progress, solutions, and collective momentum. Your community needs leaders who don’t hesitate to begin and your decision to step up can (and will!) change everything.
As Lisa, a Local Leader Lab alum, explains, your lived experience is all the expertise you need to get started.
If these intentions speak to you, are you ready to put them into action?
The Local Leader Lab provides a supportive, energizing space where women explore their purpose, build confidence, take meaningful action, and discover just how capable they already are.
Our next cohort launches soon, and we would love to walk this journey with you.