When leaders signal only after starting a change, they leave their teams scrambling. Intentional leaders communicate direction before they move.
Years ago, I was talking with a truck driver friend of mine, and he shared something that stuck with me. “Too many times, we use our turn signal as an action indicator. We flip it on only as we are changing lanes, and that is backward.” Imagine yourself behind the wheel. You are cruising down the highway, and suddenly, a car darts into your lane, turn signal blinking just after the maneuver. We have all been there; the frustration is real. We have felt the panic of slamming on the brakes and the helplessness of being caught off guard. It is more than just an inconvenience. It is a breakdown in trust, a loss of predictability on the road.
The same thing happens in leadership. When we only signal after starting the change, we leave our team scrambling. On the contrary, when we use our turn signal to indicate intent long before we actually move, we give others a chance to prepare, adjust, and align. Just as on the highway, when we signal early, we build trust. Drivers can anticipate your move, adjust their speed, and stay safe. In leadership, signaling intent creates a smoother road for everyone.
When we lead this way, people do not just react; they come alongside us, see the direction, trust the timing, and are confident that we are not making decisions on a whim but rather leading with purpose. Real, lasting change takes hold when intent drives action, and people move forward with clarity and confidence.
So next time you want to make a change or influence a decision for change, first plan how you will implement that change. Let your team know a change is coming. Communicate the result you want. Then you can prepare yourself and your team mentally and position the right people in the right place before the move is made. These strategies move you from reactive leadership to intentional leadership, and you build a team that is ready for the road ahead. Signal early. Align your team. Then move. That is intentional leadership.