Quality leadership is tough. In addition to doing your job and maintaining performance, you’re managing back-to-back meetings, solving problems, juggling endless priorities, and putting out fires—sometimes before your day even starts. By the time you finally catch your breath, it feels like you’ve been in motion all day, but you’re not sure what you’ve actually accomplished.
Sound familiar?
I work with leaders every day who feel stuck in reaction mode. They’re constantly responding to demands and checking off tasks, but they rarely feel like they’re truly leading or making progress on what really matters. It’s exhausting, frustrating, and it can leave you wondering:
- Am I leading the way I want to lead?
- How do I stay steady when everything feels so urgent?
- Do I even want to keep doing this?
If you’ve asked yourself these questions, it’s not a sign that you’re failing. It’s a signal that something needs to shift—and that shift doesn’t have to be overwhelming.
Why Leadership Often Feels Like Survival
If you’ve been doing this for awhile, then you know that, sometimes, leading can feel like a never-ending sprint.
You’re juggling expectations, navigating complex situations, and trying to keep your team moving forward—all while managing your own workload.
When you’re stuck in reaction mode, leadership starts to feel more transactional and less fulfilling, and ultimately, unsustainable.
Here’s the truth: you can’t lead well from a place of constant reactivity.
But the good news is that you don’t need to overhaul everything to make a change. Sometimes, it’s about taking small, intentional steps to help you reset, refocus, and create space to lead in a way that feels more steady, more thoughtful, and more aligned with the kind of leader you want to be.
That’s where intentional leadership comes in.
What is Intentional Leadership?
Intentional leadership isn’t about doing everything perfectly. It’s not about having all the answers or sticking to some idealized vision of what a leader should be.
It’s about showing up fully for the moment in front of you—whether that moment is a high-stakes meeting, a tough decision, or even just a quick check-in with your team.
Intentional leaders ask themselves:
- How do I want to handle this moment?
- What kind of leader do I want to be right now?
- What’s one small way I can approach this situation with care instead of rushing through it?
They know how to balance the big picture with the everyday details. They can zoom out to think strategically, but they also stay grounded in the small moments that build trust, connection, and momentum.
Unfortunately, intentionality doesn’t just happen. It requires tools and habits that help you pause, recalibrate, and lead with clarity—even when the pressure is on.
That’s where restoration comes in.
Restoration: The Key to Leading with Clarity and Strength
Leadership is both energizing and draining depending on what’s happening around you, but in those moments when you’re feeling that you’re never quite caught up can leave you running on empty.
Restoration isn’t about stepping back or taking a vacation. It’s about actively recalibrating so you can show up steady and focused—even on the hardest days.
When I was a D1 athlete—a pole vaulter at Stanford—I learned firsthand how critical restoration is to sustained performance. It wasn’t just about rest; it was about recovery and recalibration. You can’t give your best when you’re running on fumes, whether it’s on the track or in leadership. Restoration is what keeps you grounded so you can handle what’s ahead.
Here’s what restoration might look like in practice:
- Reflect Before Reacting: Before jumping into a tough conversation or decision, take five minutes to think about the outcomes you want. This helps you stay intentional and focused.
- Step Away to Reset: When your energy feels drained, take a moment to recharge. A quick walk, some fresh air, or even standing up to stretch can help you reset your focus.
- Build Trust Through Small Actions: Whether it’s listening more closely to a colleague, following through on a commitment, or offering encouragement, small gestures go a long way in creating connection and credibility.
Restoration doesn’t mean being lazy, avoiding responsibilities, or stepping away from leadership. it’s about doing what’s needed to lead sustainably and intentionally, even when the stakes are high.
Three Ways to Start Leading with Intention
When you make restoration part of your routine, it strengthens your ability to lead in three key areas:
1. Clarity: Knowing What’s Most Important
When you’re stuck in reaction mode, it’s easy to lose sight of your priorities. Intentionality and restoration help you step back, reflect, and focus on what really matters.
Try This:
- Begin your day by asking: What’s one thing I want to focus on today that aligns with the leader I want to be?
- End your day with: What worked well today? What could I approach differently tomorrow?
2. Energy: Leading with Consistency
Leadership isn’t about how much you can do—it’s about how well you manage your energy so you can lead with focus and steadiness.
Try This:
- Take 2–3 minutes between meetings to stretch or let your mind wander.
- Step outside for fresh air, even if it’s just for a minute.
- Ask yourself: Am I reacting out of stress or urgency, or am I creating space to respond thoughtfully?
3. Presence: Building Trust Every Day
Leadership isn’t always about the big wins, inspiring speeches, or long-term vision. It’s about how you show up in the small, everyday moments that shape how people experience working with you. Intentionality and restoration help you stay present in those moments so you can build trust and connection with the people around you.
Ask Yourself:
- How do I make people feel when I’m not at my best?
- What’s one thing I can do differently today to create a positive impact?
You Don’t Have to Do It All At Once
Intentional leadership isn’t about getting everything right or making dramatic changes overnight. It’s about small, deliberate shifts that help you feel more grounded, more clear, and more connected to the leader you want to be.
Leadership doesn’t have to feel like survival.
If you’re curious about what more intentional, sustainable leadership looks like for you, let’s talk. Together, we’ll create a plan that supports you and your continued success.
Click here to book your Maximizer Discovery Call.
Here’s to becoming a more energized, focused, intention leader!
About Donell Hill (aka “Donnie”) and Life Maximizer
Donell Hill (“Donnie”) is the Founder and CEO of Life Maximizer, a coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping leaders and organizations create meaningful impact while prioritizing well-being and sustainability. Combining over 15 years of experience with a trauma-informed approach, Donnie works with executives, business owners, and rising leaders to develop clarity, resilience, and authentic leadership practices.
Through workshops, coaching, and tailored strategies, Donnie equips his clients with the skills, insights, and practices to lead with confidence, communicate effectively, and cultivate lasting fulfillment in their careers and lives. Life Maximizer has partnered with leaders from companies like Atlassian, Grammarly, Stripe, Instacart, and UCSF to foster cultures of care, trust, and excellence.
Donnie’s mission is simple yet powerful: to see leaders joyfully succeed— to see them well-rested, well-paid, and deeply appreciated—not just for their productivity, but for their humanity.