Sustaining Momentum Through Rhythms and Practices
Great leaders launch change and sustain its movement. If initiative is the engine of progress, momentum is the fuel. The greater challenge lies not in starting but in building practices that make initiative part of how you and your teams operate every day.
High-performing cultures aren’t built on heroics or bursts of energy. They develop through steady, visible action anchored in simple routines. When initiative is woven into daily flow, whether through meetings, check-ins, project cycles, or honest feedback, it becomes a way of life rather than a one-time push.
In my own leadership journey, sustaining momentum has required two steady commitments. The first is continuous reflection and alignment. One move forward is not the end of the work. Strong teams keep asking, “Are we still on track? What’s working, what needs to change, what’s next?” Regular retrospectives, learning reviews, and candid conversations keep momentum alive and remove barriers before they grow.
The second is valuing action as much as results. Give credit for showing up, trying, and learning, even when outcomes fall short. Research in the Harvard Business Review shows that organizations recognizing initiative-taking behaviors see a 20% lift in engagement and resilience, even during rapid change. When people know their effort to move the ball forward is noticed, they keep leaning in.
Daily practices that help initiative stick include:
Opening meetings with a quick “last action, next action” round.
Building in small wins so progress is visible.
Regularly reviewing what can be eliminated, automated, or delegated to free up capacity.
Encouraging peer-to-peer recognition, where teammates call out initiative in real time.
Above all, keep showing up yourself. Leaders set the rhythm for momentum. If you grow, adapt, and celebrate forward movement, your team will too.
Initiative is a sustained movement, carried through consistent practice and renewal. When intention, clarity, and action are reinforced in daily practice, you create a culture that drives change rather than simply reacting to it.
For the people,
Leland
✍️If you’re new here, I’m Leland Sapp, CEO at Verland. I write about leadership, trust, and what it means to truly serve others. If that resonates, I’d love to have you as a subscriber.
Beyond agree!! Well said Leland.