Leading with Intention: 3 Rules to Build a Team That Doesn’t Wait to Be Told

If they’re waiting to be told, it’s not a leadership problem, it’s a system problem.

Most people think intention is asking, “Can I do this?”

It’s not.

True intention sounds more like:

“Here’s what I plan to do unless new information changes the course.”

That small shift changes everything.

✅ Weak teams wait for permission.

✅ Strong teams act based on shared purpose and communicate their decisions with clarity.

But this only works when 3 things are in place:

1️⃣ Foundational Knowledge – They understand the task and the why.

2️⃣ Cultural Clarity – They know how the team expects decisions to be made.

3️⃣ Trusted Action – They’re empowered to act, even without direct oversight.

When someone says “I intend to…” they’re not asking.

They’re leading.

That gives leaders space to course-correct, not micromanage.

It’s not recklessness. It’s trust + ownership + accountability.

💬 How does your team treat intention?

Are they waiting to be told or acting with purpose?

I’d love to hear: How do you coach your team to lead with intention?