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The Personal Side of Leadership: A Story of Reflection
As the New Year approaches, it’s a time for reflection and intention-setting—a time to recalibrate and envision the year ahead. This process is more than setting goals for the business; it’s about aligning personal values with professional ambitions to create meaningful change within your circle of influence.
It is a myth that business is not personal – it is personal. It is you as a person who is in business, and if you are a leader, just like Sarah that you will be introduced to in a few sentences, you have a real impact on other people.
Let’s explore how you, can set tangible, impactful New Year’s intentions for 2025.
If you prefer reading in Danish, then you can read that version right here.
Meet Sarah, a middle manager at a large corporation. She’s highly respected for her ability to lead her team effectively, but over the past year, she’s struggled with balancing the pressure from senior leadership with the needs of her team. Sarah often finds herself stuck in a reactive loop—addressing last-minute issues instead of proactively setting the tone for her department.
As the year ends, Sarah reflects. She notices that her stress has rippled through her team, affecting morale and engagement. Recognizing the impact, she has on those around her, Sarah decides that 2025 will be different. She sets out to create New Year’s intentions that are actionable and transformative, starting with her personal growth
Understanding the Circle of Influence
To start, Sarah revisits a concept from Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: The Circle of Influence. Covey explains that each of us has three circles:
- Circle of Concern: The things we worry about but have no direct control over, like economic trends or corporate restructuring.
- Circle of Influence: The things we have influence over but involves others. Here we can make a difference. This includes e.g. our relationships, teams, and personal health.
- Circle of control: The things within our individual control. This encompasses circumstances, issues, problems, etc. that we have direct control over, like our own actions or our own choices.
Leaders often spend too much energy in the Circle of Concern, worrying about external pressures. Sarah decides to shift her focus to her Circle of Influence and circle of control, committing to actions that will positively impact her team and herself. This becomes the foundation of her New Year’s intentions.
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Setting Tangible Intentions for Good Leadership in 2025
- Prioritize Energy Management
Sarah recognizes that her own well-being sets the tone for her team. Drawing from lessons in managing personal energy, she commits to simple practices: scheduling breaks, maintaining boundaries, and addressing stress proactively. She uses tools like a “power barometer” to gauge her energy levels and stay agile in challenging moments.
Example Intention: “I will dedicate 15 minutes daily to mindful reflection to recharge and approach challenges with clarity.” This intention is within her circle of control.
- Foster Trust and Connection
Leadership is relational. Sarah realizes that cultivating trust within her team can elevate morale and productivity. She commits to more open communication, regular one-on-ones, and creating a psychologically safe environment where her team feels heard and valued.
Example Intention: “I will have a meaningful one-on-one with each team member every month to build trust and alignment.” This intention is with in her circle of influence.
- Champion Personal and Team Growth
Sarah understands that her growth as a leader directly influences her team’s development. She resolves to invest in her leadership skills while empowering her team members to do the same. By prioritizing skill-building and encouraging innovation, Sarah creates opportunities for collective success which is also within her circle of influence.
Michael one of her colleagues has just got diagnosed with cancer. Everyone within the team is sad about this news. It is concerning them, but nobody in the team can make his cancer go away. What they all can do is to influence Michael’s life in the most supportive way they can – as colleagues.
The Ripple Effect of Good Leadership
By focusing on her Circle of Influence, Sarah’s New Year’s intentions extend beyond her immediate actions. Her renewed energy and clarity create a positive ripple effect on her team, enhancing engagement and collaboration. Through trust-building and fostering growth, Sarah helps her team members feel more connected to their work and more capable of achieving their goals.
This is the power of good leadership: it’s not just about achieving business outcomes; it’s about influencing others positively and sustainably.
Leadership Is Personal—Make 2025 Count
As leaders, our actions affect those around us, often in ways we don’t immediately see. By setting intentional, meaningful resolutions for the New Year, we can make 2025 a year of growth, connection, and positive impact. Focus on what you can influence, and let your leadership shine—because leadership, at its core, is personal.
If you want to make real impact for yourself and those around you, I’m happy to have a chat. You can take a closer look at me as a coach or our Leadership Community.
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