Building Resilience in Leadership
Let’s set the scene: companies are, at their core, an amalgamation of strategy, innovation, and people. But peel away the buzzwords and platitudes, and you’ll find that it’s the leaders — the people at the helm — who make or break these organizations. That’s not just my opinion; it’s backed by data. According to a 2019 McKinsey study, companies led by high-performing leaders are 1.9 times more likely to deliver above-average financial results. Translation? A strong leader is the difference between a company that simply survives and one that thrives. And yet, despite the high stakes, many leaders are struggling.
These struggles are not due to a lack of skill or knowledge. The battlefield of modern leadership demands more than technical know-how. It requires resilience, emotional intelligence, and, perhaps most importantly, intent. In an era where leaders are stretched thinner than ever, managing your career with intent isn’t a “nice-to-have” — it’s a survival strategy.
The Decision Fatigue Epidemic
Let’s address the elephant in the boardroom: decision fatigue. Every day, executives are asked to make calls on issues ranging from market strategy to personnel changes to crisis management. According to a survey by Harvard Business Review, a staggering 87% of executives admit to facing decision fatigue. Think about that for a second. The majority of leaders, tasked with steering multi-million or even billion-dollar ships, are exhausted by the sheer volume of decisions they must make.
Why does this matter? Because decision fatigue doesn’t just mean you’re tired. It means your judgment is impaired, your patience thins, and ultimately, your ability to lead suffers. It’s the invisible enemy of good leadership. The result? Rash decisions, missed opportunities, and a leadership style that’s reactive rather than proactive.
Intentional Leadership as a Counterbalance
Here’s where the concept of managing with intent comes in. Intentional leadership isn’t about being busy; it’s about being purposeful. Every decision, every interaction, every moment should reflect the larger goals you’re striving to achieve. And when I say “larger goals,” I’m not just talking about financial targets. I’m talking about creating environments where your teams thrive, where innovation isn’t just encouraged — it’s expected.
Intentional leadership requires you to be deliberate. It’s about setting priorities that align with your long-term objectives and recognizing that saying “no” is sometimes the most powerful decision you can make. Being intentional means protecting your time and energy for the decisions that matter. When 87% of executives admit to decision fatigue, it’s clear that managing your mental and emotional resources is as crucial as managing your team.
Building Resilience Through Intentional Habits
Intentional leadership isn’t a one-time switch you can flip. It’s a habit, a discipline that requires consistency and commitment. Here are some ways to cultivate it:
- Set Clear Priorities: High-performing leaders know what’s essential and what can wait. They don’t get bogged down in the day-to-day minutiae. Instead, they focus on strategic decisions that move the needle. The Pareto Principle — or the 80/20 rule — applies here: 80% of results come from 20% of efforts. Identify that 20%, and guard it with your life.
- Learn to Delegate: Many leaders wear decision fatigue as a badge of honor, but it’s not. The best leaders understand the value of trust and empowerment. They surround themselves with capable people, and then they let them do their jobs. If you’re handling every small decision, you’re failing to leverage the expertise of your team. Delegation isn’t about relinquishing control; it’s about multiplying your impact.
- Practice Self-Care Without Apology: Resilience isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build. And building resilience means taking care of yourself. If you’re constantly exhausted, stressed, or unhealthy, you’re not bringing your best self to your role. Regular exercise, adequate sleep, and time for reflection aren’t luxuries — they’re necessities. Think of it this way: taking care of yourself isn’t selfish; it’s the most selfless thing you can do for your team.
- Embrace Continuous Learning: High-performing leaders are lifelong learners. They understand that the business landscape is constantly evolving, and staying relevant requires a commitment to growth. Whether it’s reading, taking courses, or seeking out mentors, the best leaders never stop learning. The world is moving fast; if you’re not learning, you’re falling behind.
Embracing Failure and Learning from It
Here’s the truth no one likes to admit: failure is inevitable. You will make mistakes, and that’s okay. In fact, failure is a critical component of intentional leadership. When you manage with intent, you approach failure not as a personal setback but as a valuable learning opportunity. The goal isn’t to avoid failure; it’s to learn from it and grow.
The best leaders don’t fear failure — they fear complacency. They understand that true growth comes from pushing the boundaries, from taking calculated risks. So embrace failure, but do so with intent. Reflect on what went wrong, understand the lessons, and apply them going forward.
Making Time for Reflection
Intentional leadership requires you to look beyond the daily grind and reflect on the bigger picture. Carve out time regularly to step back and evaluate. What’s working? What isn’t? Are you moving closer to your goals, or have you veered off track?
Reflection isn’t just about identifying problems; it’s about recognizing successes and celebrating progress. High-performing leaders don’t just move from one task to the next — they take time to acknowledge their wins and understand what contributed to those successes. This habit not only reinforces positive behavior but also keeps you motivated and engaged.
Leading with Empathy
Intentional leadership isn’t just about being strategic; it’s about being human. Empathy is a powerful tool in any leader’s arsenal. Understanding your team’s struggles, aspirations, and challenges makes you a better decision-maker. It’s the foundation of trust, and trust, as we know, is the bedrock of any successful organization.
When leaders take the time to understand their teams, they’re not just making better decisions — they’re creating environments where people feel valued and motivated. Empathy doesn’t mean compromising on performance; it means recognizing that your team members are human beings with strengths, weaknesses, and potential. It’s about bringing out the best in them, not just for the sake of the company but because it’s the right thing to do.
Intent as Your North Star
Leadership isn’t easy, and the path is often filled with obstacles. But when you manage with intent, you’re not just reacting to the demands of the day — you’re creating a roadmap for success. It’s about being proactive rather than reactive, about focusing on the long-term rather than the immediate, and about making decisions that align with your values and goals.
In a world where 87% of executives are struggling with decision fatigue, intentional leadership isn’t just a way to get ahead; it’s a way to stay sane. It’s about protecting your mental and emotional resources, about building resilience, and about leading in a way that’s sustainable and effective.
So, as you look at the path ahead, ask yourself: Are you managing your career with intent? Are you prioritizing what truly matters? Because in the end, leadership isn’t just about where you’re going — it’s about how you’re getting there. And that “how” can make all the difference.
Brian Fink is the author of The Main Thing is The Main Thing. It’s his way of galvanizing your focus to bring your life’s work to reality. Fink’s impassioned wit and humor tackle the highs and lows of dispelling the constant barrage of interruptions, pings, and distractions that take you away from realizing your main thing.
