Last week I was sitting with a senior leader from a fast-growing business. She looked exhausted. When I asked how things were going, she let out a deep sigh and said, “Honestly, I feel like I’m constantly running but not actually getting anywhere.”

It’s a comment I hear far too often.

In today’s fast-paced world, leadership has become a juggling act. With hybrid teams, shifting priorities, and endless meetings, it’s easy to confuse being busy with being effective. But the truth is, the two are very different.

When I asked this leader a simple question, “Do you feel like you’re being an effective leader?”, she paused. After a few seconds, she quietly said, “I’m not sure.”

That’s when we had a real conversation.

So how do you actually become an effective leader?

Here are three things I see the most effective leaders do differently. And no, it’s not about working longer hours or micromanaging your team.

1. They Focus on Outcomes, Not Just Activity

One of the first things I get leaders to do is review how they’re spending their time. I call this the Leadership Activity Map. You jot down what you’re currently doing across the week, then map out what you should be doing if you want to be an effective leader.

Most of the time, there’s a massive gap.

Effective leaders know they’re not paid for busyness, they’re paid for outcomes. They focus on what truly moves the needle, not the admin that clogs up their calendar.

2. They Build Trust, Not Just To-Do Lists

I remember working with a brilliant CFO who admitted she hadn’t had a proper one-on-one with her team in over three months. “Too much going on,” she said. But the team felt disconnected. Resentful, even.

Leadership isn’t just about making decisions, it’s about building relationships. You can’t influence, inspire or grow your people if you’re not spending time with them. The best leaders I know have one-on-one catch-ups in the calendar every single week, even if it’s just for 15 minutes.

3. They Reflect and Adjust – Often

Being an effective leader isn’t a destination – it’s a practice. It’s like learning to drive. At first, every decision is conscious. But over time, with the right reflection and feedback, it becomes second nature.

I always ask leaders: When was the last time you reflected on how you’re leading?

Great leaders pause. They look at what’s working, what’s not, and where they need to adjust. Whether it’s how they’re communicating, what they’re delegating, or how they’re showing up in meetings – the reflection time is the secret weapon.

The Bottom Line?

If you’re wondering how to be an effective leader, start by getting clear on the difference between motion and progress. Being busy is easy. Being effective takes intention.

Want help shifting from being overwhelmed to being impactful? If you’d like a fresh perspective and practical tools to boost your leadership effectiveness, I’d love to have a quick 20-minute chat. Just click here to book a time.

Until then, take a moment this week to pause, reflect and ask yourself: Are you just managing tasks, or are you leading people?