A few days ago, a friend of mine—who’s really into spirituality, sound healing, and yoga—asked me, “What’s your intention for Bali?”
I paused.
I’d thought about the logistics, booked the flights, and planned some activities with my girls. But had I actually set an intention for the trip? Not really.
Then, my eldest daughter Sophia asked me, “What are you going to buy in Bali?”
Again, I hadn’t thought about it. I love the markets, but I wasn’t heading to Bali for clothes, bags or souvenirs. What I am looking for is something less tangible—the gift of experience. A reset. Space to breathe. A chance to be present with my girls before another big quarter begins.
And that got me thinking —how often do we move through leadership the same way?
Intention Shapes Everything
Just like travel, leadership can become something we do rather than something we experience with purpose. We go through the motions—meetings, targets, problem-solving—but if we’re not intentional, we risk leading reactively instead of impactfully.
So, as I get ready to pack my bags, I’m thinking about how important it is to set intentions before stepping into something new—whether that’s a holiday, a project, or an entire quarter of leadership.
Here are two things I’m focusing on before heading to Bali, which also apply to leadership:
- Setting Clear Intentions – What do I want to get from this experience? And how can I apply the same thinking to my leadership? If I don’t define the impact I want to create, I’ll just be ticking off tasks instead of leading with purpose.
- Prioritising Wellbeing – Am I making time to fill my own cup? As leaders, we can’t run on empty. And if I’m thinking about this for myself, I also need to be thinking about my team—how am I encouraging them to take a step back and reset after Q1?
I know that taking this time for myself will ultimately help me come back as a better leader. And it’s something I focus on in our leadership programs too—helping leaders create clarity, balance, and impact that lasts.
So, as we head into Q2, my question to you is: Are you leading with intention? If so, what is that intention?
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