What My Morning Coffee Taught
Me About Leading with Intention

Small Rituals Can Shape Big Leadership Moments

Some of my most useful leadership insights haven’t come from books or boardrooms. They’ve come from quiet, everyday moments—like making coffee before sunrise.

This month, I’m exploring everyday leadership lessons. These insights come not from perfect plans or big titles but from being fully present in our lives. A conversation. A challenge. A mistake. A quiet moment. They all have something to teach us if we’re willing to listen.

Because the truth is, leadership isn’t something we switch on when the workday begins. It’s something we practice daily in small decisions and habits that shape how we show up for ourselves and others.

So, let me start with something simple: my morning coffee.

A Ritual with Purpose

Every morning, before the day begins in full, I start with a single, grounding ritual: brewing coffee. No rush, no multitasking, just time to breathe, reflect, and center myself.

It’s a small act. But it sets the tone for how I lead.

That ritual reminds me of something Harvard Business Review once described as “the strategic pause”—a deliberate break in activity that allows leaders to think more clearly and make better decisions. It’s easy to overlook the importance of those moments, especially when there’s so much urgency in our day-to-day. But taking time to be intentional isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership strategy.

In fact, research from the University of Texas at Austin shows that creating simple, mindful rituals can reduce stress, increase focus, and improve decision-making. That clarity matters when you’re responsible for guiding teams, navigating uncertainty, or driving growth.

Leadership Begins Before the Work Does

How I begin the day often determines how I lead through it.

That morning moment with my coffee helps me pause and ask:

• What matters most today?
• Who needs my attention?
• How do I want to show up?

I’ve learned to begin with intention because that intention carries into how I lead, listen, and serve.

Leadership Shows Up in the Everyday Choices

We often think of leadership in terms of big decisions or bold moves. But more often, it’s shaped by our daily choices—how we listen, make space to think and respond under pressure.

I’ve worked with executives and entrepreneurs who’ve felt stuck, not because they lacked skills but because their days were driven by momentum instead of meaning. When we dug deeper, we often found that reclaiming just one intentional habit—like journaling, exercising, or even taking a mindful walk—made a measurable difference in their clarity and performance.

James Clear, author of Atomic Habits, puts it well: “You do not rise to the level of your goals. You fall to the level of your systems.” When your systems support your values, your leadership becomes more consistent, confident, and effective.

You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup

That simple cup of coffee isn’t just about caffeine but clarity. When I give myself space to reflect, I can better show up with energy, empathy, and focus. That’s especially important when others count on me to lead with strength and compassion.

Whether you’re leading a company, a team, or a business of one, the demands on your attention are real. To meet those demands well, you need to be resourced. You need space to think. And you need a moment that’s yours.

In one Deloitte study, 82% of senior leaders reported feeling emotionally and physically exhausted. However, those who built recovery time into their routines reported higher engagement and decision-making confidence.

Leadership is about doing what matters most with clarity and care.

Intentionality Is About Presence and Purpose

It’s not about having every answer or mapping out the entire day in advance. It’s about starting with the mindset that how I show up matters.

Before the next big decision, the next team meeting, or the next challenge to navigate, I take a moment to ask:

• Am I grounded?
• Am I clear on what I value?
• Am I leading from intention or reaction?

Even small moments of reflection help me lead with more confidence, clarity, and compassion.

This Month’s Invitation

Throughout June, I’ll share leadership lessons pulled from real-life stories, moments, and experiences that remind us that leadership is not reserved for the extraordinary. It’s practiced in the everyday.

So here’s my invitation to you:

Find one everyday moment you can approach with greater intention.

It could be your commute, your workout, a challenging conversation, or, yes, your morning coffee.

Notice what it teaches you. Let it guide how you lead. Because when we lead with intention, we don’t just manage what’s happening—we elevate it.

Coming up next week:

12 Leadership Lessons from Family Game Night

(Hint: It starts with a team switch and ends with surprising insights about trust, motivation, and leading with heart.)