When you’re a leader, people usually say you should start your day by jumping into work, checking your schedule, looking at numbers, joining meetings, and making decisions. But I’ve learned that doing only that can make you miss the bigger picture. What really helps is something simple that many people forget: taking a quiet moment to pause and think.

Yes, stillness. It’s that quiet moment before everything gets busy. A short break before you jump into all your work and to-do lists. I don’t begin my day by guiding my team; I begin by taking care of my mind first.

Before I join meetings, solve problems, or talk about new ideas, I take a few quiet minutes to get my mind ready. No phone, no noise, just three simple thoughts: being thankful, feeling positive, and setting a clear goal.

And here’s the fun part: I now do this with my team, too.

Being a leader isn’t about bossing people around; it’s about setting a good example. And the way you feel can spread to others.If you start your day calmly and focused, your team will feel calm too. But if you’re stressed or in a hurry, your team will feel that stress.A strong team doesn’t happen all at once; it grows through small, everyday habits.

1. Your Energy is Contagious

As a leader, your feelings can affect the whole team. If you’re upset or tense, others will feel that way too. But if you stay calm and steady, your team will feel more relaxed and ready to work. Your energy is powerful; use it wisely.

2. Focus Determines Success

What we pay attention to gets bigger. Many leaders don’t realise they often focus too much on problems.

Soon, every conversation is about what’s wrong. Every meeting feels negative.

After a while, this makes people scared to make mistakes or share their ideas.What if we changed the way we think?If we focus on finding answers instead of just pointing out problems, our team can grow. Noticing small wins and keeping a hopeful attitude helps everyone feel good. Even when things are tough, staying positive helps the team stick together and keep going.

This way of thinking helps people ask more questions, try new ideas, and believe in themselves. It doesn’t mean we pretend problems don’t exist; it means we help our team see the bigger picture and learn from it. What you focus on as a leader becomes your team’s focus too.

3. Decisions Help to Shape Destiny

Leadership isn’t just about big decisions. It’s about the small things you do every day. Do you support people when they try, or only when they succeed? Do you help them learn from mistakes? Do you give clear instructions, or leave them unsure? These small actions matter a lot.

Small choices may not look big, but they matter. Great leaders don’t just give speeches; they set clear goals, build good habits, and help people believe in themselves. A team can’t do great things unless it believes it can. That belief starts with how a leader leads every day.

4. Leadership is a Process, Not a Performance

Small actions may not seem important, but they matter a lot over time. Great leaders don’t just talk, they give clear direction, build good habits, and help their team feel confident. A team must first believe they can do something great before they do it.

Being a leader is like making a clay pot from the beginning. It takes:

Patience – being calm with yourself and others.

Care – choosing your words and actions carefully.

Not giving up – even when things feel slow or you don’t see quick results.

When you trust the process, you start building something strong, something that won’t fall apart because of stress, mistakes, or changes.

A true leader doesn’t have to rush all the time. Taking a short, quiet break to think helps a lot. When you begin the day calm and focused, your team feels better, too. How you act and speak each day shapes how your team works together.

Being kind, positive, and encouraging helps create a happy team. Great leaders don’t just try to win fast or get involved in endless conversations. They stay patient and show up every day with a clear goal.

Leadership doesn’t always mean big changes. One small act can make a big difference. What can you start doing tomorrow? Maybe it's being more patient, clearer in your words, or showing kindness. What step will you take?