Being a leader is more than a role—it’s a relationship. It means truly caring for the people you connect with and committing to impact your community in ways that foster unity, respect, and joy. The best leaders raise the tide for everyone around them. Intentional leadership calls us to hold a dual focus: to drive forward with purpose, and to remain deeply human. Intentional leaders create achievement while practicing compassion and chart bold paths without leaving people behind.

Even when we bring our best selves, our actions may be misunderstood, and good intentions can be misread. We’ve all felt the sting of being judged unfairly, having our care mistaken for control, our passion seen as pushiness, or our clarity mistaken for coldness.

When this happens, don’t retreat. Don’t let it harden your heart or stall your mission. Instead, practice.

Here’s a framework—an 8-step practice—for staying anchored in good intentions while skillfully navigating when they’re misunderstood:

The 8-Step Framework for Intentional Leadership

1. Check Your Heart

Before you speak or act, ask: Is my intention aligned with care, clarity, and contribution? Anchor in service.

2. Lead Clearly, Not Softly

Compassion isn’t about being vague. Be direct and kind. People need your clarity as much as your care.

3. Stay Open to Impact

Intent doesn’t always equal impact. If your message lands poorly, be curious, not defensive.

4. Listen Without Armor

When feedback comes, drop the shield. Ask, What did they hear? What did they feel? Listening builds bridges.

5. Clarify, Don’t Justify

“Let me clarify where I was coming from…” lands better than “That’s not what I meant.” Stay open, not reactive.

6. Re-center on the Mission

Return to your shared purpose. Remind others—and yourself—why you’re here and what you’re building together.

7. Practice the Pause

When things get charged, take space. Pause before you respond. Wisdom often follows stillness.

8. Keep Showing Up

Even when it’s hard and you’re misunderstood. The world needs intentional leaders who keep loving, keep leading and keep learning.

Becoming an Intentional Leader

Being an intentional leader doesn’t mean getting it perfect. It means bringing integrity, staying present and remaining willing to grow. When your good intentions meet resistance, don’t shrink; let it shape you into a wiser version of who you already are.