Think back on the times when you’ve worked with a truly excellent leader. Chances are, you can probably recall at least one small but pivotal moment that demonstrated exactly why and how that leader positively impacted your career (and maybe even your life). How did you feel in that movement? Supported? Purposeful? Valuable? Motivated? Whether or not you realized it at the time, that was an intentionally crafted moment of leadership impact. And you have the power to demonstrate the same kind of influence in your day-to-day leadership.
Moments of impact drive transformative change for individuals, teams, and organizations. You don’t need to wait for big opportunities to create a positive impact. In fact, it’s the cumulative little “aha!” moments that can best connect your colleagues to a greater sense of purpose while showing your true character as a leader. These seemingly small instances can spur personal growth, spark radical mindset shifts, and enhance productivity and retention — ultimately leading to greater overall business success.
3 quick takeaways
You can enact moments of impact at different levels, from narrow to broad. Each realm of influence makes a difference — and every intentional action has a ripple effect.
- Individual level: Bring an intentional leadership moment to interactions with individual team members and peers. Think about what would resonate with each person and identify the opportunities (1:1 meetings, feedback conversations, recognitions) for implementing your intention.
Team level: Create group experiences (workshops, strategy sessions, project reviews) for purpose-driven conversations. Identify the impact you want to make and carve out space for the team to absorb it.
Organization level: Scale up your moments of impact with company-wide strategies that provide tangible meaning for people at all levels (professional development programs, culture initiatives, communication practices).
Now let’s dig deeper into ways you can align intention and impact at every level of your organization.
Individual influence
The way a leader gets results matters. How leaders make their people feel while they’re getting results matters even more. Your job is to be a source of stability, purpose, and priority-setting. But how you approach that will vary from person to person. Leading in the moment with situational awareness and emotional intelligence builds trust and credibility, so work with your individual team members or fellow leaders in ways that resonate with them.
- Facilitate strategic one-on-one conversations that result in new insights and help you work toward a common goal.
Remember that everyone is human. Create a safe environment by handling difficult conversations with empathy.
Ensure that your team members are recognized in a meaningful way for their work.
Follow up after difficult meetings or assignments. Acknowledge the situation and allow for venting or feedback.
Action item: Assess the one-on-one interactions you’ve had with team members in the past month. What conversations left others with a sense of purpose? How could you intentionally cultivate those moments in the coming month?
Team touchpoints
Whether it’s with the team you manage or a cohort of your leadership peers, you can find opportunities to craft moments of impact. Leading by example is a great place to start. Be the catalyst for the energy shift your team needs.
- Participate in a workshop or seminar as a team, and prioritize making it purpose-driven, focused, challenging, and memorable.
Take a strategic pause. Has your team been showing signs of burnout or grappling with uncertainty? Show appreciation for their relentless commitment by making room for a collective breath.
Solicit multiple perspectives and allow for open communication when you’re seeking a solution. Be open when you don’t know the answer. Show your team their voices matter.
Constructively redirect unproductive conversations or behaviors. Redirection isn’t about control; it’s about guiding the team toward impactful action.
Action item: Identify one issue that gets in the way of team cohesion and collaboration. Plan a purpose-driven workshop or working session to address it — focusing on the specific actions and outcomes that matter to people.
Organization-wide outcomes
Build a human-centered workplace that incorporates your carefully crafted moments of impact on a larger scale. When positive impact is baked into your organizational culture, everyone wins.
- Provide and actively promote professional development opportunities across the organization, including 1:1 coaching, workshops, retreats, offsites, and leadership programs.
Create a connection to the culture for every employee, from entry-level to the C-suite. Go beyond surface-level socializing; use culture initiatives to tie people’s work to a larger sense of shared purpose and values.
Strive for organizational transparency and collaboration. Siloed departments and rigid hierarchies can hinder engagement.
Action item: Evaluate the tangible impact of your organization-wide events and communications. Ask how they could be more meaningful, engaging, and interactive for people at all levels.
Start making every moment matter
Every moment of every workday could be that meaningful moment for one of your people. The moment they feel seen, supported, empowered, and ready to take it to the next level. Plan intentional ways to create moments of impact, and remain ready to seize the opportunity when an unexpected chance arises. Make your next leadership moment matter!
Powerful question: What is the most impactful leadership moment you’ve experienced, and how has it influenced your approach to leadership today?