By Annita Katsikopoulou
Most teams aren’t underperforming because they lack skill, experience, or work ethic.
They’re underperforming because they’re not being intentional.
That word—intentionality—can sound abstract. But in high-performing businesses, it’s incredibly essential. It shows up in meetings, in conversations, in decision-making, and most clearly in results.
Let me explain.
I often ask leaders after a meeting:
“What did you intend to happen in that meeting?”
More often than not, they can’t answer.
Maybe they had an intention when they began—but it got lost in the noise. Buried in the flow. And if the leader isn’t clear, neither is the team.
And when there’s no intention, there’s no aim. There’s just movement. People working hard but scattered across different paths, hoping to end up in the same place.
When Intentionality Drives the Team: Here’s What You See
- You see clarity. In language. In goals. In decisions.
- People speak to produce a result—not just to sound smart or to be heard.
- Actions align with what was said.
- There’s energy and direction. You can feel the momentum.
- Decisions happen faster, and they stick.
- The team knows what game they’re playing—and chooses to play it every day.
- Mistakes rarely happen
And when the team drifts off course?
They notice. They name it. And they get back on track.
When leaders don’t lead with intention
They give up power—without even realizing it.
You see it in inconsistency between what’s said and what’s done. You see it when priorities shift but no one says so—leaving the team confused and disoriented. You see it when leaders think they’re being clear, but haven’t declared their intention in a way that others can follow.
This is where power is lost. And when power is lost, teams disconnect. They stop trusting. They stop pushing. They have side meetings. They stop saying what they’re really thinking. And results suffer.
So how do you lead with intentionality?
It’s simple—but not always easy.
Start by declaring your intention—out loud.
Before the day begins. Before the meeting. Before the hard conversation.
Not in your head. Not just a vague feeling. But clear language:
- “My intention is to align the team on the next 90 days.”
- “My intention is to challenge the current way we’re approaching this.”
- “My intention is to move this from discussion to decision.”
Then check:
Do my actions match my intention?
Did I communicate it clearly—and repeatedly?
If I changed direction, did I bring others with me, or just changed quietly and hope they will follow?
Intentionality must be sustained through time. Not once. Every day. Every meeting. Every key decision.
Intentionality separates breakthrough performers from average ones
Average performers live in the world of predictable. They do what they know they can do. They avoid risk. They protect what they have.
Breakthrough performers declare bold intentions—before they know how.
They stay committed, even when it’s hard. Even when it looks like it’s not working.
They fail, they learn, they recommit—and they get up again.
Intentionality is the fuel for that kind of performance.
Without it, the game is reactive. With it, you choose the game you’re playing. You play the breakthrough game.
So if you’re looking around your team and wondering:
- Why aren’t we getting the results we say we want?
- Why is there so much noise but not enough progress?
- Why do things keep getting stuck?
Start with this:
What’s the intention—and is it being sustained through time, through action, through language?
If not, that’s the place to begin.