17 Unexpected Habits That Make Leaders More Effective

Between constant change, the rapid adoption of AI and a steady stream of competing priorities, leaders face more distractions than ever. Staying focused and effective in this environment often takes more than a well-organized calendar or the latest productivity tool. In fact, some of the most useful habits involve slowing down, creating space to think and intentionally doing less.

Below, our founder Kathy Shanley joins 16 Forbes Coaches Council members to share unexpected practices that can help leaders keep their focus and lead more effectively, even when everything around them is shifting.

Running A Pre-Mortem Before Launch

One unexpected practice is the pre-mortem, a strategy I heard Brené Brown and Adam Grant discuss on their “Curiosity Shop” podcast. Before launching a project or change, imagine it is six months from now and it failed, then ask, “What went wrong? What did we miss? What got in our way?” Looking ahead this way can surface risks and competing priorities before they derail the work. It also helps teams stay focused on what’s important. - Kathleen Shanley, Statice