Sometimes, Less Really Is More!

Let's be honest.

You probably catch yourself,

?Obsessively tracking every new trend

?Battling FOMO about the latest industry buzzwords

?Constantly checking what your competition is doing

?Trying to be everywhere at once

And you know what? ?It's exhausting.

The constant chase of following every new trend is draining your energy, clouding your judgment, and disconnecting you from what actually matters.

The irony?

You’re probably achieving less by trying to do more.

What if you could do less—but make a bigger impact?

Here’s a truth to consider.

In leadership there's a counter-intuitive truth that we often overlook: sometimes, less truly is more.

So, in today’s newsletter, I’ll explore how you can do less and lead with intention by cutting out the noise and focusing on what will truly move the needle for your business.

Why Less Can Be More in Leadership

As a leader, you're constantly under pressure to do more, be more, and achieve more.

The message from the business world is clear: if you're not doing everything, you're falling behind.

But here's the truth. Your impact isn't measured by how many trends you follow or how busy you appear. It's measured by the meaningful change you create—change that rarely comes from trying to do everything at once.

See, leadership isn't about chasing every new trend or reacting to every industry shift.

It's about being intentional, staying focused, and aligning your energy with your long-term vision.

But here's the challenge: how do you actually put this into practice?

5 Ways to Lead With Intention

You've all been there—caught in the trap of "shiny object syndrome," constantly reacting to the latest buzz without assessing whether it truly serves your vision.

It's an exhausting cycle that pulls you further from your goals.

The way out?

Focus on what truly matters. By being more intentional and thoughtful in your actions, you can achieve more by doing less.

Here are 5 practical ways to shift from reactive to intentional leadership.

1. Less Trend-Chasing, More Vision Alignment

It's tempting to follow every new trend, but the key is to make sure each one aligns with your core values and long-term goals. Trends come and go, but your vision is the constant that guides your decisions.

How to do this?

• Use the Vision Filter: If it doesn't clearly support your core objectives, pass
• One Trend Rule: Limit yourself to one new initiative per quarter—no exceptions

2. Less Saying ‘Yes,’ More Intentional ‘No’s

Once you've identified the trends that align with your strategy, it's time to protect your focus. Saying yes to every opportunity pulls you away from what truly matters. Be intentional about where you invest your time and energy.

How to do this?

• Daily Focus Check: "Does this support our chosen direction?" No? Then it's a no
• Guard Your Priorities: Review commitments weekly and cut what doesn't serve your strategy

3. Less Control, More Empowerment

Micromanaging stifles your team and drains your energy. Instead, trust your team to take ownership of their work. Empower them to lead within the framework you've set, so you can focus on steering the ship in the right direction.

How to do this?

• Set Clear Expectations: Define outcomes, not methods
• Trust by Default: Give authority with accountability, then step back

4. Less Doing, More Thinking

Constant action doesn't equate to progress. You need time to reflect and ensure that your actions are aligned with the trends you've chosen. Strategic thinking is the foundation of impactful leadership.

How to do this?

• Schedule Think Time: Block 2 hours weekly for strategic reflection
• Ask Better Questions: "Is this moving us toward our vision?" or "What should we stop doing?"

5. Less Perfection, More Progress

Perfectionism can stall progress. Rather than fixating on flawless execution, ocus on steady progress and forward momentum—because movement matters most.

How to do this?

• Set Progress Milestones: Break initiatives into clear, achievable steps
• Embrace the 80/20 Rule: Focus on the 20% that delivers 80% of impact

Final Considerations

Leadership isn’t about chasing every new trend or reacting to every industry shift. It’s about leading with intentionality.

It’s about cutting through the noise of endless trends and constant updates.

By being able to do so you create space – not just for yourself, but for your entire team.

When you make space for what matters most, you’re able to align your actions with your vision more effectively.

It’s about doing fewer things but doing them with greater intention, purpose and focus.

So, here's your permission slip to,

??Say no to the constant noise

??Let go of the fear of missing out

??Focus deeply on what truly matters

??Trust your instincts about what deserves your attention

Remember: Being intentional isn’t just okay – it’s essential.

By doing less, you create space to lead from your unique strengths, bringing your authentic vision and values into every decision. This is where your true impact lies! ?

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Leaders: Are You Ready to Lead With Intention?

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About Mireille Bergraaf

Mireille Bergraaf MCC ESIA is an internationally accredited ICF Master Coach (MCC) with over 10+ years of experience in coaching, leadership, and spirituality. She specializes in empowering leaders to cultivate empathy and compassion through coaching skills.

Mireille is the founder of Dutch Leadership Development (DLD), a leadership development company that works at the intersection of spirituality and business and focuses on cultivating coaching cultures within organization.

Mireille advocates for integrating spirituality in businesses to promote empathy, compassion, kindness, and integrity in teamwork.

She guides companies to cultivate coaching cultures within their organizations. Coaching cultures promote trust, open communication, welcoming challenges for growth, embracing diversity, team engagement, supporting creativity, and thinking beyond individual interests to contribute positively to the world.