271: Spark Joy, Set Goals: Intentional Leadership Tips that Work

improve it! Podcast – Professional Development Through Play, Improv & Experiential Learning

What if the key to thriving under pressure was simpler than you thought?

In today’s episode, Erin tackles one of the toughest challenges leaders face: staying positive and intentional during high-pressure situations. Whether you're leading a team through tight deadlines or navigating unpredictable circumstances, this episode offers actionable insights to help you lead with clarity and joy.

Below are five key takeaways from the episode, giving you the tools to transform stress into an opportunity for intentional leadership:

1. Set the Stage: Define Your Leadership "Why"

Intentional leadership starts with purpose. Leaders who act with clarity instead of reacting impulsively create stronger, more engaged teams. Research by Gallup shows that 70% of employee engagement is directly tied to the quality of their manager. Setting a clear "why" can transform mundane tasks into meaningful contributions. During the launch of I See You!, the improve it! team dedicated time to align their purpose with their goals. This exercise not only reinforced the mission, but energized their efforts as well--proving that purpose-driven leadership fosters both morale and productivity.

Actionable Tip: Reflect on your "why" as a leader and how it aligns with your team’s objectives. Share this vision during team meetings to build a sense of collective purpose.

2. Spark Joy: Lead with Empathy and Creativity

Leadership isn’t just about getting things done—it’s about creating an environment where your team feels joyful and valued. Studies from Harvard Business Review reveal that joyful employees are 20% more productive. Simple actions, like celebrating small wins or infusing creativity into routines, can make a big difference. Erin’s team’s decision to hold a goal-setting session by the Charleston waterfront exemplifies how changing the environment and mindset can spark inspiration. A surprise visit from a ladybug became a symbolic moment, reminding them that joy leads to serendipitous success.

Actionable Tip: Incorporate small rituals of joy, such as sharing weekend highlights on Slack or starting meetings with a funny meme, to boost team morale.

3. Master Goal-Setting: Move from Vision to Action

Effective leaders bridge the gap between vision and execution through structured goal-setting. The SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) is a proven method, with a 42% higher success rate, according to a study by Dominican University of California. During the I See You! book launch, Erin and her team set an ambitious goal of reaching 10,000 readers—a target that was both measurable and aligned with our purpose. Naming their ladybug "OprahGabby2024" and creating a hashtag around it infused fun and focus into this vision.

Actionable Tip: Start your week by setting one SMART goal for yourself and your team. Break it down into smaller tasks and track progress.

4. Overcome Leadership Challenges with Intention

Leadership is not without hurdles, from burnout to team conflicts. The key to overcoming these challenges lies in staying intentional. Tools like mindfulness practices and feedback loops can keep leaders grounded and connected to their teams. At improve it!, Erin and her team regularly set monthly intentions and check in with team members to understand their needs. This consistent effort fosters psychological safety and reduces resistance to change.

Actionable Tip: Schedule a 10-minute reflection session at the end of each day to assess wins and areas for improvement. This practice helps maintain focus and adaptability.

5. Commit to a 30-Day Leadership Challenge

Small, intentional actions compound over time, creating significant impact. In the episode, Erin encourages listeners to commit to a 30-day leadership challenge—such as starting meetings with gratitude or setting weekly SMART goals—to build positive habits. These practices improve team morale, engagement, and productivity, one step at a time.

Actionable Tip: Choose one intentional leadership practice to implement over the next 30 days. Track your progress and share your experience with your team to inspire collective growth.

Final Thoughts

Intentional leadership is a journey, not a destination. By focusing on purpose, sparking joy, setting clear goals, and addressing challenges with intention, you can lead your team to thrive under pressure. As we learned from our community question, maintaining positivity starts with the small, deliberate choices we make every day.

Ready to take the next step? Download our free guide, 100 Non-Cheesy Icebreakers, or grab your copy of I See You! to dive deeper into intentional leadership. Don’t forget to join our upcoming Intention Setting Workshop on January 16th—use code “improveitpeeps” for 20% off. Let’s lead with joy and purpose, together.

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting)

• Did today’s episode resonate with you? Leave us a review sharing your favorite insight and we’ll send you a free signed copy of I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy.
• Have another question that we can answer? Leave us a Speakpipe audio clip and we’ll answer it in an upcoming episode.
• Don’t want to miss another episode? If you’re a Spotify listener, find our show here and click “Follow.” If you’re an Apple Podcast listener, click here and make sure to hit “+Follow.”
• Want 2 emails a week from us? One with a quick tip you can implement right away to enhance your personal and/or professional lives & one of our famous F.A.I.L. Fourward Friday newsletters? Subscribe here.

Show Links

• Purchase I See You! A Leader’s Guide to Energizing Your Team through Radical Empathy here and the Resource Guidebook that was built in conjunction with it here.

Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it!

• Erin’s website
• Erin’s Instagram
• Erin’s TikTok
• Erin’s LinkedIn
• improve it!’s website
• improve it!’s Instagram