Rise and shine, contrarians! Let's turn this Monday into a masterpiece. (Or at least make it slightly less Monday-ish.)

Missed last week's article? Catch up here. Why Every Marketer Needs a Custom GTP (and How to Make One)

Today we're talking about leadership habits: five key practices you need to master in 2025, why they matter for marketing leaders, and how to actually make them stick.

Let's be real—I've tested quite a few leadership habits over my marketing career.

Some, like deep work blocks, have been game-changers I wish I'd started years ago.

Others I'm still working to master (looking at you, build your growth plan).

Here are five practical habits that will make you a better sales or marketing leader this year—without requiring a personality transplant or a 4 AM wake-up call.

I've seen these work firsthand, both in what I've done consistently and what I wish I'd done sooner.

1 - Block Deep Work Time 

In a world of constant interruptions, carving out 90 minutes weekly for focused strategic work is your secret weapon.

This is where real strategy happens—when you can focus on intensive projects like strategic planning, customer / market / competitive insights, team development, revenue strategy, or go-to-market evolution without Slack notifications, emails or texts hijacking your thoughts.

How to Make it Happen:

• Block your most productive time (for most, it's morning)

• Start small: even 60 minutes beats zero minutes

• Put your phone in another room—seriously, do it

• Label it as "Strategy Session" in your calendar to signal importance

2 - Weekly Strategy Review 

Taking 30 minutes to zoom out and assess your direction before the week begins is crucial—without it, you're just being busy without being productive.

This simple habit keeps you focused on what actually moves the needle.

How to Make it Happen:

• Choose a consistent time (Friday afternoon or Sunday evening)

• Keep it simple: two priorities, no more

• Ask yourself: "Will this matter in six months?"

3- Internal Peer Connection 

Building strong relationships with executives and peers across your organization isn't just networking—it's about breaking down silos and finding opportunities that lie between departments.

Regular connections with product, sales, and other marketing leaders help you spot challenges early and align on solutions faster.

How to Make it Happen:

• Schedule monthly (or weekly) cross-functional lunches with other department heads

• Join (or create) an internal leadership forum

• Share insights across teams through informal coffee chats

4 - Build Your Growth Plan 

The best leaders combine structured learning with daily micro-moments of growth.

Without an intentional development roadmap that includes both big skills and small learning opportunities, you'll plateau.

Smart leaders know that five minutes of daily practice often beats one monthly training session.

How to Make it Happen:

• List three skills to develop this year

• Find one mentor for each skill

• Create micro-learning habits (10-minute video while commuting, one article during lunch)

• Build a resource library for quick reference

• Set quarterly check-ins to assess progress

• Adjust based on real impact, not just effort spent

5 - Recognize Team Excellence 

Great work that goes unnoticed tends to stop happening.

Making team appreciation a consistent, specific practice isn't just nice—it's a strategic move that keeps your best people doing their best work.

How to Make it Happen:

• Start team meetings with a win highlight

• Create a dedicated Slack or Zoom channel for wins

• Make recognition specific ("great job on that competitor analysis, especially the pricing insights")

These five habits work because they're simple enough to actually do, but meaningful enough to make a difference.

Pick one, master it, then add another.

By December 2025, you won't recognize your leadership impact.

Until next time, keep swimming against the current!