Leadership Habits: Why Better Habits Beat Bigger Goals

Introduction

It’s that time of year again. Fresh calendars, ambitious plans, and renewed energy. For business owners and leadership teams, January often feels like the base of a mountain: the ambitious targets have been set, the strategy agreed, and the pressure to perform is real.

But bold goals alone don’t get you to the summit. It’s the small daily habits, the systems you commit to, and the mindset you bring that determine whether progress is achieved or fails.

My approach, at this time of year, is to reread and remind myself of James Clear's book Atomic Habits. Whether it's to help create meaningful, lasting change or make small incremental improvements, I’ve learned that real momentum starts with clarity and consistency.

The Problem with Goals

Setting goals is easy - hitting them is hard. Why? Because most goals focus on outcomes, not identity. Goals determine your direction. Systems determine your progress.

We say things like:

• "We will double revenue this year..."

• "I want to run a marathon in 2026..."

• "I'm going to quit smoking..."

But goals are lagging indicators. They’re the result of what you do consistently, not what you say you’ll achieve.

As James Clear explains in Atomic Habits, it’s better to focus on the system that produces the result. Build the habits, and the outcomes take care of themselves.

Rudders and Oars

Imagine a small row boat. Your goals are like the rudder on the boat. They set the direction and determine where you go. If you commit to one goal, then the rudder stays put and you continue moving forward. If you flip-flop between goals, then the rudder moves all around and it is easy to find yourself rowing in circles.

However, there is another part of the boat that is even more important than the rudder: The oars. If the rudder is your goal, then the oars are your process for achieving it. While the rudder determines your direction, it is the oars that determine your progress.

This metaphor of the rudder and the oars helps clarify the difference between systems and goals. It is an important distinction that shows up everywhere in life.

• If you’re a coach, your goal is to win a championship. Your system is what your team does at practice each day.

• If you’re a writer, your goal is to write a book. Your system is the writing schedule that you follow each week.

• If you’re a runner, your goal is to run a marathon. Your system is your training schedule for the month.

• If you’re an entrepreneur, your goal is to build a million euro business. Your system is your sales and marketing process.

Goals are useful for setting the direction. Systems are great for actually making progress. In fact, the primary benefit of having a goal is that it tells you what sort of system you need to put in place. However, the system itself is what actually achieved the results.

Your Identity Drives Your Habits

One of the most powerful ideas in the book is this:

Don’t just set goals - decide who you want to become.

If you want to build a high-performance leadership team, don’t just aim for better meetings or faster decisions. Focus on becoming a team that builds trust, creates healthy conflict, takes accountability and aligns with a common goal.

If you want to be a better leader, don’t just schedule coaching sessions. Decide to become someone who communicates a clear vision, inspires others and leads by example.

4 Practical Ways to Build Leadership Habits That Stick

If you’re starting the year with big ambitions, here are four habit-building principles to guide you and your team, adapted from the Atomic Habits framework:

1. Make it Obvious

Want to coach your team more? Block dedicated time in your diary weekly. Visibility drives action.

2. Make it Attractive

Tie habits to your values. If learning energises you, share new insights at team meetings. Make the habit feel rewarding in itself.

3. Make it Easy

Start small. One leadership reflection per week. One process you improve each month. Momentum beats perfection.

4. Make it Satisfying

Celebrate wins. Recognise progress in yourself and others. Build a culture that reinforces the right behaviours, not just results.

Final Thought

A new year brings new opportunities but it’s not a new you that’s needed. It’s a slightly better version of your existing self, repeated daily.

For leadership teams, that means setting the tone, shaping culture, and building habits that align with who you want to become as individuals and as an organisation.

At Stratavera, we help leaders and teams translate ambition into consistent behaviours. Through coaching, facilitation, and advisory support, we focus on building the habits that lead to clarity, momentum, and results.

✅ If you’re ready to build a stronger leadership rhythm in 2026, let’s talk. Book a session at Stratavera.ie