The Importance of Intent in Interaction

What’s Your Intent?

Have you ever had a conversation that felt a bit off? You walked away thinking, "That didn’t land how I expected." Maybe the other person seemed frustrated, or you felt like you weren’t on the same page.

Chances are, the intent of the interaction wasn’t aligned—for either of you.

We interact with colleagues, friends, family, and even strangers daily. But how often do we stop and ask ourselves:

?? What am I really trying to do here?

?? And what does the other person actually need from me?

Are we coaching? Are we having a two-way conversation? Are we giving advice? Are we expecting action? And just as importantly, how is the other person showing up? What’s their intent?

When Intent Misses the Mark

Have you ever been in a situation where you’re just looking for a chat, but the other person keeps trying to “fix” things? Or you’re hoping for some direct advice, and instead, you get a flurry of coaching questions that make you feel like you’re back in a job interview?

I’ve been guilty of this myself. My default is to coach—helping people find their own answers. But sometimes, people don’t want to be coached. They want a straight answer, or just someone to listen.

When intent is misaligned, the conversation can feel frustrating for both sides. They leave feeling unheard. I leave wondering why the interaction didn’t quite work.

The Silent Side of Intent

Intent isn’t just about the words we use—it’s in how we show up physically too.

Think about it:

? If you’re building rapport, you naturally nod, smile, and mirror the other person’s energy. It signals connection and trust.

? But if you’re coaching, reacting too much might subtly steer the conversation. A nod might make them continue a thought, not because they believe it, but because they think you do. Coaching is about creating space—not influencing direction.

So, What’s Your Intent?

Before your next interaction, pause and check in:

?? What’s the real purpose of this exchange? (Not just for me, but for them?)

?? Am I reading their intent correctly?

?? Are my words and actions matching what’s actually needed?

Getting this right improves conversations, strengthens relationships, removes friction, and makes every interaction clearer, more effective, and less exhausting.

So, next time you’re in a conversation—take a second. What’s your intent? And does how you’re engaging actually match it?

We have listened to what 5000 people from 10 UK organisations have been saying about what will help them or what currently hinders them in achieving their company vision. With the support of the uber talented Gary Nightingale Creative we have created a free resource that includes a 50+page insights document detailing the insights into actionable advice and a beautifully crafted single image that allows you to narrate your own journey to success.

If you want FREE access to this, please visit HERE!

As always, I would love to continue this conversation with you, so please get in touch.

Have Fun

Lee