bcg blog

Actions & Intentions

We judge ourselves by our intent. 
When we make a decision our intent is always factored in. What we plan to happen and what ultimately takes place may not align exactly, but that outcome is virtually irrelevant as it pertains to our judgment of ourselves. We are quick to dismiss an unfavorable result, or even questionable action, if our intent was pure to begin with. 

We judge others by their actions.
When others make a decision we rarely consider their intent. Our judgment of others is based almost solely on the results of their actions. For others, it’s the intent that is irrelevant. Whether the intent was pure or questionable means nothing as long as the desired result was achieved. 

If the double standard seems troubling to you, it should be - especially as a leader.

Why Should We Care?
In leadership, our purpose should be grounded in servanthood. We should be attempting to move our team, and the individuals on it, forward. Of course, we will be judged by society based on the external scoreboard of results, but that doesn’t mean this form of assessment must be accepted by those actually doing the leading. Actually, it’s counterproductive to do so.

Ultimately our intent drives our actions and our actions drive our results.
To achieve success, jumping directly to an obsession with the result will produce fruit. The problem, or course, is that it won’t last. In order to sustain success, we must address intent.

The grace we give ourselves needs to be afforded to those we lead. That grace is rooted in the consideration of our own intent. We know what we meant to say and to do, but we don’t have that same insight for others. It’s our job as a leader to know and understand the intent of those we lead.

Without an understanding of intent, we create it for ourselves.
And, it’s hardly ever accurate.

REAL TALK - Action Steps
Intent in others isn’t something that’s easy to assess, but necessary nonetheless. We must make it a priority if we are serious about leading and impacting to the best of our ability. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

• Hit Pause 
  
  • We can’t understand the intent of those we are leading if we don’t take the time to slow down and consider the possibility that their actions don’t tell the whole story. As long as we assume we know the intent, we are dismissing the importance of it. If there is an assumption to be had, it should be that we don’t know.
    

• Embrace Curiosity
  
  • Curiosity leads to growth and understanding. Ask questions, watch behaviors, and pay attention to body language. So much information is available to us, there is no need to guess. However, to access it we must be willing to look for it. Intent is hidden in the purpose of those we lead. To understand intent, dig into purpose.
    

• Don’t Tell, Guide
  
  • We should be looking to guide, rather than command, those we lead. Guidance invokes the power of choice. Commanding replaces the power of choice with the passive obedience of direction. Both can be effective at times but choice is always integral to excellence on every level.
    

Considering intent leads to understanding and acceptance. Focusing solely on actions places the responsibility for that narrative of intent in our hands. That’s a story we are very poor at telling accurately.

Checkout Surrender the Outcome on Amazon and order The Score That Matters with Ryan Hawk & Brook Cupps before its release in March 2024. The latest blog from Blue Collar Grit can be found here!