It can be hard to lead with intention when you’re swamped with meetings and messages all day. You might switch from pipeline reviews to forecast calls or jump from team check-ins to client follow-ups. If you feel scattered or reactive, it doesn’t mean you’re failing. It just means you’re human.

Dr. Bethany Peters, the CEO and founder of The Leadership Coaching Lab, says that when you start to feel disconnected, you should pause and ask yourself 6 questions. These questions can help you understand a tension you might feel but haven’t addressed yet. We share her thoughts in this issue of PromoPro Daily.

  1. Am I leading from my core values or simply reacting to the constant needs around me? According to Dr. Peters, when you have strong values alignment, you know what guides you and can return to those principles. When you lead from your values, you can make decisions with stronger conviction. When you’re reactive, she says you respond to whatever feels most urgent. This can be exhausting and lead to continuous stress.

  2. Am I honoring my limits or overextending myself to meet every demand? Leaders know it can be hard to say “no.” However, by setting boundaries, you preserve the energy and protect the conditions you need to lead well. If you over-extend yourself, Dr. Peters says you deplete the resources that fuel your best judgment and creativity.

  3. Am I anchored in what matters or distracted by the daily chaos? It’s critical to know what’s urgent and what’s important. Otherwise, the daily grind can give the illusion of productivity. Dr. Peters recommends anchoring in what truly matters so that you don’t waste your time and energy on things that don’t need immediate attention.

  4. Am I investing in deep, meaningful work or scattering my energy in random directions? The capacity for deep work separates leaders who shape outcomes from those who simply respond to them, Dr. Peters says. Depth requires uninterrupted time and the willingness to disappoint people who expect constant access to you.

  5. Am I holding space for reflection or rushing relentlessly ahead? Reflection is how you transform experience into wisdom. Without reflection, Dr. Peters says momentum replaces meaning and you risk mistaking activity for alignment. Take time to ask yourself what’s working and what needs to shift.

  6. Am I supporting my own growth or constantly nurturing everyone else’s development? Dr. Peters says it’s important to devote yourself to personal development. This ensures that your leadership skills continue to evolve.

Pause and ask yourself the questions above, like whether you’re nurturing your own growth or simply supporting your team. When you get clear on your values and boundaries, you can lead with more clarity and steadiness.

Compiled by Audrey Sellers
Source: Dr. Bethany Peters has more than 20 years of experience in leadership development. She’s the founder and CEO of The Leadership Coaching Lab, where she helps individuals and teams develop their leadership skills.