Is Your Leadership Accidental or Intentional?
So There I Was…
In 2019 I stumbled upon a tool called Year Compass. It walked me through reflecting on the past year and setting an intentional plan for the year ahead. I had seen tools like this before but for some reason this one stuck. Maybe I was finally ready to ask harder questions about how I was living each day.
At the end of the first half you are asked to describe the previous year in one word. Two came to mind: sloth-like (if that is even a word) and accidental. That is how the year felt for me and my wife. It was not that it was a bad year. We had an incredible vacation in Montana, traveled to Africa, kayaked all over our area and spent wonderful time with people we loved. But through reflection I realized most of those things had not happened because we planned them. They happened by accident.
And that thought changed everything. What if instead of living accidentally we chose to live intentionally? What might the next year look like if we were deliberate in how we led ourselves, our marriage, my work and our community?
The Challenge
The truth is many leaders drift through life accidentally. We move from meeting to meeting, juggling family obligations, chasing deadlines and responding to whatever comes our way. Because life feels full we assume we are being intentional.
But fullness is not the same as focus.
When we are accidental we miss opportunities to deepen relationships, develop people and create lasting impact. We may even achieve success in one circle like at work while neglecting others like our family or ourselves. Over time that imbalance erodes trust, weakens influence and leaves us wondering why the people closest to us do not experience our best.
Being intentional is hard. It takes reflection, planning and courage. Without it our leadership is inconsistent at best and undermining at worst.
The Tool: The 5 Circles of Influence
The 5 Circles of Influence help us evaluate where we are being intentional versus accidental.
In the tool you will notice an arrow that begins at the center and points outward through each circle. That arrow is a reminder that leadership always starts with yourself first. If you cannot lead yourself well you will struggle to lead your family, your team, your organization or your community.
Self — Leading yourself first. If you are not strong here the rest of the circles suffer
Family — The relationships closest to you. Are you showing up with purpose?
Team — How your people experience your leadership. Are you investing or just hoping they “get it”?
Organization — The systems and culture you help create. Are you drifting in and out of intentionality?
Community — Your impact in the wider world. Are you engaged or closing the garage door and shutting out the rest?
Every circle can either be accidental or intentional. Picture a dimmer switch on your back. At the lowest setting you may still be a good leader, but you are leading by reaction and chance. As you slide the switch upward you begin to live with greater purpose and clarity. At the top you are fully intentional, making deliberate choices that strengthen your influence in every circle. The goal is to keep moving that dimmer switch upward so the people around you consistently experience your best.
Why This Matters Now
If you remain accidental you may still be a good leader, but you will never fully unlock your influence. Being intentional multiplies your impact in every circle. Leaders who are consistent, deliberate and self-aware create stronger families, healthier teams and organizations people want to be a part of.
The Result
The year after that reflection I leaned into intentionality and everything shifted. My marriage strengthened, my work gained focus and my community involvement grew deeper. That is the power of moving from accidental to intentional: influence grows, relationships deepen and opportunities expand.
Take Action
Pick one circle today — Self, Family, Team, Organization or Community — and ask: Am I being intentional or accidental here? Write down one action that moves you toward intentional.
Let’s talk about it. If you want to explore how to build consistent intentional influence across all five circles let’s schedule a conversation about your leadership growth and strategy.
Closing the Loop
Back in 2019 I realized a whole year had slipped by accidentally. That wake-up call changed how I live and lead. Do not wait for another year to pass before asking: Am I living accidentally or intentionally?
Lead Hard!
