As a leadership coach, I often hear from individuals who are driven to achieve success at work. Leaders must orchestrate significant impact, shepherding change and creating and implementing strategies to get results. While achieving strategic objectives are the cornerstone of leadership, don’t overlook the importance of consistent, small actions that support relationships with team members.
Identifying one small, actionable step you can take today and build into your routine will ripple outwards, creating a bigger impact tomorrow. Think of it like compound interest. A small deposit today, consistently applied, yields significant returns over time. The same holds true for your leadership.
Forget the overwhelming to-do lists for a moment. What’s ONE ridiculously small leadership action you can commit to in the next five minutes?
Here are a few examples to get your wheels turning:
- Send a genuine, personalized “thank you” email or note to one team member. This takes less than a minute but can significantly boost morale and recognition (and reinforce the behavior that matters).
- Ask one direct report: “What’s one thing I can do this week to make your work easier?” This simple question opens a crucial line of communication and shows you value their experience.
- Spend 60 seconds actively listening without interruption to a colleague. Put away your phone, make eye contact, and truly hear what they have to say. This builds trust and strengthens relationships.
- Review your calendar for tomorrow and identify ONE meeting where you consciously invite everyone to participate. Have the intention to foster an environment where quiet folks or new staff are heard and can contribute.
- Take a 2-minute mindful breath before your next interaction. This can help you approach the conversation with more clarity and presence.
Notice how none of these actions require hours of planning or a massive shift in your routine. They are bite-sized, achievable, and yet, incredibly potent. Consider linking that new behavior with something that you already do (such as a regular meeting or email) to build it into your routine. Notice these are leadership behaviors, no formal title necessary—these behaviors can be just as powerful for colleagues.
Why does this “small action” approach work for bigger leadership impact?
- Builds Momentum and Reduces Overwhelm: Small wins for the leader create a sense of progress and encourage further action.
- Fosters Consistency: Tiny actions are easier to integrate into your daily routine, leading to sustainable habits.
- Strengthens Relationships: Many small actions, like expressing gratitude or actively listening, directly impact the human connections that are the foundation of strong leadership.
- Creates a Positive Ripple Effect: Even a small act of support or recognition can inspire others and contribute to a more positive team culture.
So, I challenge you today: What is your 5-minute leadership leap? What is that one tiny action you can take right now that will contribute to more impactful leadership tomorrow? (Check out BJ Fogg, Tiny Habits, for more on making small changes). Don’t forget to celebrate—notice when your small changes have an impact.
Leadership coaching is incredibly powerful for getting clear about your priorities and identifying the steps needed to achieve them. Contact me to explore leadership coaching at https://annegaringcoaching.com/contact/.
©Peg Hunt, MS & Anne Garing, PhD