Congratulations on taking the first steps to invest in your leadership. Just by being here today, you are a leader. Whether you have formal authority, operate behind the scenes or you’re at the doorstep to new leadership opportunities, you are a leader and I am calling forward the best of who you are. Your commitment, your energy, your care and the possibility you see for yourself and others.

When leaders and their teams are getting started on this journey, the question I get asked most often is “How do I make the most of The Intentional Leader?” In this video, I’ll give you 4 tips for setting your mindset to make the most of your investment and bringing forward the best of who you are.

#1 - Be a leader, not a prisoner  

I commonly hear my clients say, “But, Jeff! I don’t have a choice. That’s just the way things are around here.” I sense they are feeling powerless to do anything about their situation.

In order to get the most from The Intentional Leader, we first have to challenge the notion that “You don’t have a choice.” It’s easy to complain and blame, but the bottom line is — are YOU ready to change or not?

Many people get stuck on the question of “how to” change but the reality is that they’ve just decided to NOT change. This is your moment to decide.

Commit to being a leader in your circumstances and not a prisoner of them. That is a powerful commitment. Once you've decided and committed yourself to a different experience, the how-to becomes much easier to tackle and The Intentional Leader will help.

#2 - It’s not about you  

In 1991, General Frederick Franks was about to lead the invasion into Kuwait to drive out the Iraqis and he wanted to know…Did his troops have what they needed? Did they know what they were about to do? 

So, he addressed his troops and asked those very questions. One soldier noticed the General’s concerned face, and said, “General, don't worry, we trust you.” General Franks would later say, “Let go of your ego and you will fuel winners.” This particular invasion took only 100 hours and less than 100 American and British troops lost their lives.

Why do I tell you this story? I tell you this story because it gives us insight into the 4 ½ word secret to every module, lesson and resource in The Intentional Leader. Those 4 ½ words are, “it's not about me”.

Our natural inclination is to make our leadership about ourselves. Will I look good? Will I get promoted? Will I be able to solve that problem? But to lead powerfully and to have your people follow, your leadership must be based upon the phrase and feeling….it's not about me.

So, if it's not about you, who is it about? Well, it's about those you're leading - your team, your organization, your clients or customers. General Franks did it by putting his attention on his troops. He set aside his own comfort and humbly asked questions to ensure their needs were met.

Remember his words “If you let go of your ego, you will fuel winners.” From this place of humility, you will unlock in your people all the discretionary resources that you would hope that they would volunteer; their passion, their energy, their commitment and trust, just to name a few. 

#3 - How you lead matters  

What you do is important but what makes the difference is HOW you do it.

In an organization I was recently evaluating, there was a CFO who is fastidious about budget and watching expenses closely. Nothing wrong with that. Good stewardship of resource is good leadership. The problem was he’s a jerk about it. Treats people poorly. Makes them feel small. The organization is even at risk of losing some key resources because of it. 

To get the most from The Intentional Leader, you must care equally about the what and the how of your leadership and to do that it helps to understand the meaning of the words “Intentional” and “Leader.”

What does "Intentional" mean? At its very core, being intentional is being at choice. Deciding what you’ll do (or say) or NOT do (or say). 

What does "Leader" mean? Leader is often a misunderstood word. A leader is NOT the same as a manager. A person may wear both hats but they are different. There are many leaders who wouldn't necessarily be called good managers. But they know how to inspire and influence people to action.

Management is what you do, leadership is the person you are and the influence and impact you have on the people you come into contact with. Author and teacher, Ken Blanchard said, "Leadership is influence. Period."

The final test of leadership is: Do you leave things better than you found them? Will your employees advance and grow because they spend time with you? Bottom-line: WILL PEOPLE BE GLAD YOU WERE THERE?

#4 - Bias for action

The final element of The Intentional Leader mindset is having a bias for action. This one is simple to say, but often hard to do because lots of fears rear their heads when we decide to move into action. Will I fail? Will they like me? I’ll be embarrassed. I have to have the right answer.

To get the most from The Intentional Leader, you must look those fears right in the eye and take action anyway. Have the tough conversation, practice a new skill, ask the uncomfortable question, seek feedback. It might be uncomfortable but the fear you’re feeling is actually a compass for what to do next and taking action is a show of real leadership that will produce results.

So, are you ready to see the full impact of your leadership? If you are, decide right now to be a leader, not a prisoner, make your leadership not about you, decide that how you lead deeply matters and have a bias for action. With those as your mindset, there’s no stopping you.