Every action you take is a vote for the kind of leader you will become.

By Dr. Anthony Da Silva, Co-founder, SSCG

Every action you take is a vote for the kind of leader you will become.

In leadership, trends aren’t about social media hashtags or quarterly headlines. They’re about the subtle, consistent actions you take every day—actions that, over time, define who you are as a leader and where you and your organization are headed.

In his August 10, 2025 sermon Conviction | Trending Series, Pastor Robert Tisdale of Tampa Life Church shared a powerful idea: your direction is being set right now by what you tolerate, repeat, and reach for without thinking. While he spoke from a faith perspective, the principle applies universally to leadership.

James Clear, author of the bestselling book Atomic Habits, frames it this way: “Every action you take is a vote for the type of person you wish to become.” This is as true in leadership as it is in life—each decision, no matter how small, is casting a vote toward the kind of leader you will be six months, one year, or ten years from now.

The Power of Small, Consistent Actions

Tisdale explains that trends “don’t begin with headlines—they begin with habits.” Likewise, Clear reminds us that you don’t rise to the level of your goals; you fall to the level of your systems.

The most important shifts in leadership aren’t the result of one bold decision; they’re forged in the quiet moments—choosing to follow through when it’s inconvenient, recognizing a team member’s effort, addressing issues directly rather than avoiding them.

Each of these moments is a “vote” toward a particular leadership identity. Over time, those votes compound, shaping your reputation, influence, and results.

Patterns Become Culture

Photographer Peter Funch spent nine years photographing the same New York City street corner at the same time each morning. He found the same people in similar routines—often wearing similar clothes, carrying the same items, walking with the same companions.

Leadership works the same way. Your team sees and feels your patterns:

• How you open meetings.

• How quickly you respond to concerns.

• Whether you model accountability or avoid it.

• Which behaviors you address and which you overlook.

These repeated behaviors become your organizational culture—whether you design it or drift into it.

The Risk of Drift

One of the most dangerous leadership trends is drift—the slow, almost imperceptible movement away from your core values and priorities.

Drift rarely begins with major failures; it starts with small compromises:

• Postponing a tough conversation.

• Making decisions for popularity instead of principle.

• Prioritizing appearances over authenticity.

Clear calls this the accumulation of votes in the wrong direction. The longer drift goes uncorrected, the more it feels “normal,” and the harder it becomes to reverse.

Where Attention Goes, Growth Follows

Tisdale draws a parallel to social media algorithms: platforms don’t just track what you like—they track what makes you pause. Over time, they feed you more of it.

Leadership attention works the same way: what gets your attention gets your energy.

• Focus on operational fires every day, and you trend toward short-term thinking.

• Focus on strategic development and people growth, and you trend toward long-term success.

James Clear emphasizes environment design—structuring your surroundings so the right actions are easier to take. In leadership, this means building systems and structures that naturally guide your focus toward high-impact priorities.

Shaping a Positive Leadership Trend

Whether you call them “trends” (Tisdale) or “habits” (Clear), the goal is the same: align your daily votes with the leader you aspire to become.

Here are five practical ways to get started:

1. Audit Your Habits – Identify your most repeated leadership behaviors and evaluate whether they support your vision.

2. Design for Success – Adjust your environment to make positive leadership actions the default choice.

3. Protect Core Values – Let principles, not convenience, guide decisions—especially under pressure.

4. Catch Drift Early – Address small misalignments before they become cultural norms.

5. Vote Daily – Remember: every action is a vote for the kind of leader you will become.

The Bottom Line

Leadership success is rarely the product of one defining moment. It’s the result of thousands of small, consistent choices. Every action you take—every meeting, decision, and conversation—is a vote for the future leader you’re becoming.

The question isn’t just “Where am I leading?” but “Which way am I trending?”

About the Author

Anthony Da Silva, Human Resources, is the Managing Director and Co-Founder of Strategic Synergy Consulting Group LLC. He holds a Doctor in Business Administration and a Doctor in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, with a career spanning HR leadership, organizational strategy, and leadership development. Anthony specializes in helping leaders and organizations align culture, talent, and strategy for measurable results.

Align Your Leadership Trend Today

At Strategic Synergy Consulting Group, we help leaders and organizations identify their current “trend,” align it with their vision, and implement the habits that create measurable, lasting success. If you’re ready to evaluate and elevate your leadership trajectory, let’s start the conversation today.