If Your Leadership Performance Is Lacking, Let's Tackle a Few Things to Help

We've all been there in some shape or form. You're not feeling confident, decisions are becoming harder to make, you stay up late at night thinking through everything that has gone wrong, and you're unsure what the next step is. Your teams feel chaotic—these are all signs that your leadership performance might be lacking a bit. This doesn’t mean you’re a bad leader; it just means you’re in a stage where challenges are hitting all at once, and you’ve become pulled in too many directions. Let’s talk through five things that can help you get back on track.

1) Write Down Short-Term and Long-Term Goals

A rule I’ve always shared with my clients is something I implemented in my life long ago: never make a decision in less than 24 hours.

For example, "I want to paint the walls in my living room, so I'm going to run out right now and buy paint." This impulsive approach never works in my favor. I always end up wishing I had picked a different color or taken more time to plan. The same principle applies in business and life—it has helped me more times than I can count.

When setting goals, take a few days to really think about what makes you happy and what you want to accomplish. What do you want to achieve in your business? Do you want to reduce your 15-hour workdays at your startup to spend more time with your family? Do you want to start another revenue stream? Maybe you want to work out more. Take time to identify your goals clearly and thoughtfully.

2) Set Daily Accountable Wins

Forget the cliché advice like, “Wake up and make your bed.” That’s not the kind of actionable change we’re talking about. Instead, set measurable wins for yourself each day.

For example, “On Tuesday, I’ll reconcile my P&L and develop after-action questions for my key stakeholders.” This is a tangible win. Instead of pushing tasks off and procrastinating, commit to a date and get it done. Write it down and cross it off when completed.

Start with three wins per week, then move to one per day, and eventually build up to two per day. Focus on actionable, measurable, and accountable wins.

3) Read a Book

This one is a game-changer, but it’s not a cheat. Reading cannot be an accountable win—it’s a goal. Set a goal to read one book every two weeks. Turn off social media, shut down your phone, and stop obsessing over your ad spend. Just read.

Focus on topics that inspire you: leadership, motivation, and practical lessons. Avoid dry, textbook-style material that will put you to sleep. Instead, pick up something engaging, like Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink. Commit to reading a chapter a day—or better yet, three chapters. Carry a physical copy with you, along with a pen or highlighter, and take notes. Learn something new and let it inspire your growth. For latest insights on great books, Follow my latest Newsletter The Warrior's Library

4) Talk to Your Teams

Engage with your teams. Ask how they’re doing, inquire about their families, and host innovation brainstorming sessions to get their ideas flowing. It feels amazing to see your team excited—and their excitement will reignite yours.

Nothing solves problems faster than incorporating your team’s input into your vision. When they feel like they’re part of the solution, change management becomes significantly easier. Plus, your team might come up with ideas that hadn’t crossed your mind.

5) Get a Fractional Performance Coach

Find someone who will hold you accountable and help you implement systems to improve your day-to-day performance. While I’ve helped quite a few people with this, it’s important to find the right coach for your personality and specific needs.

For example, I have two decades of military combat leadership experience combined with experience leading startups. My style is all about staying fit, holding you accountable, making tough strategic decisions, and emphasizing discipline. That might not be your style, and that’s okay. Find someone who aligns with your approach and can guide you effectively.

Ready to Level Up Your Leadership Game?

If you're tired of spinning your wheels and want actionable strategies to boost your leadership performance, you're in the right place. Subscribe to this newsletter for no-nonsense advice, real-world insights, and tools you can implement today.

Don’t settle for mediocrity—be the leader your team needs.