Sometimes the best leadership lessons come from the messy middle of life.
Reflecting back on a previous week that was like riding a rollercoaster…a concert, church, and kids waking at odd hours. My wife left for the Philippines. We juggled babysitters and while handling entrepreneurship coaching. There were even late-night Costco runs. In other words—life.
But here’s the truth: leadership isn’t built only in the boardroom. It’s tested and shaped in the chaos of everyday living. High-performing leaders and executives can pause and reflect. They turn those moments into lessons. This ability separates intentional leaders from overwhelmed managers.
That’s where my REAL Reflection Cycle comes in: Recognize – Evaluate – Adjust – Launch. Reflection helps us find clarity in the noise. It also builds alignment between what matters most and how we show up.
Let’s walk through some lessons from my own week and I’ll show you how reflection can become your most powerful leadership tool.
Have you ever felt like life keeps throwing curveballs—and instead of leading with clarity, you’re just reacting?
That was me a previous week. I had sleepless nights with my girls. I navigated babysitters who couldn’t follow simple instructions. I missed my wife while she was away. These experiences reminded me of a powerful truth: leadership happens in the everyday.
The REAL Reflection Cycle™
Instead of letting the chaos win, I lean on my REAL Reflection Cycle™:
- Recognize what happened.
- Evaluate how I responded and what I can learn.
- Adjust for next time.
- Launch with renewed intention.
It’s simple, but it turns chaos into clarity.
But here’s the challenge: life doesn’t slow down for reflection. How do you carve out space when everything feels urgent?
Call to Action
That’s where intentional leadership comes in. Subscribe to my Intentional Leader Newsletter and download The Intentional Leader Roadmap. It’s designed to guide you in building reflection practices into your daily life. This helps you align your actions with your values, even in chaotic situations.
Closing
Leadership isn’t about controlling the chaos, it’s about growing through it. Every sleepless night, every misstep, every joyful concert can become a lesson if you take the time to reflect.
The REAL Reflection Cycle™ is simple but powerful. Try it this week and watch how quickly chaos turns into clarity.
Recognize, Evaluate, Adjust, Launch.
Because leadership isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being intentional.
Interactive Poll
Which leadership lesson do you relate to most right now?
✨ Finding joy in small moments
😴 Leading through exhaustion
⚡ Adapting when things don’t go as planned
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