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The John Eades Podcast

John Eades

Follow My Lead is a podcast created for you, the young professional, millennial, or aspiring leader. If you are looking for tips, tricks, and hacks from experts about leadership, you are in the right place. Through our interviews we transfer struggles, stories, and best practices of today's leaders to the leaders of tomorrow.

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August 26 · 17 min
Silence is a Loss in Leadership
Four people told her she nailed it. The fifth person told her the truth, and that's the only one who actually helped her get better. Most leaders think they're getting honest feedback. They're not. Silence gets mistaken for agreement, and that mistake is costing you more than you realize. In this episode: Why praise feels good but constructive feedback is what actually builds skill The real numbers on how few employees get honest feedback, and what it costs when they don't Netflix's "farming for dissent" strategy, and why great leaders go hunt for disagreement instead of waiting for it A simple 3-part recipe you can use in your very next decision: who to ask, how to ask, and where to look first If you lead people or make decisions that affect others, this one's for you. Want this kind of thinking in your organization? Visit learnloft.com 📖 Grab your copy of The Optimistic Outlook: https://www.amazon.com/Optimistic-Outlook-Lessons-Important-Muscle/dp/B0G4R5VJH1/
August 4 · 13 min
Stop Thinking About It. Start Doing It.
John is 14 chapters into a book he's been writing for two years — and if he's honest, it should already be finished, printed, and in your hands. In this solo episode, he shares an uncomfortable confession: how a project he thinks about constantly has stayed stuck for two years, and the single line that forced him to stop making excuses. "You either stop thinking about it or start doing it." John breaks down why there are really only two honest paths for anything left unfinished in your life — and why staying stuck in the middle, still thinking about it with no action, isn't patience. It's a slow kind of quitting. He shares a simple 3-question framework to figure out, right now, which path is actually yours: Do you still want it when no one's watching? What's the smallest next action — and have you taken it this week? Are you willing to say it out loud to someone who'll hold you accountable? Whether it's a business idea, a hard conversation you've been avoiding, a relationship that needs repair, or a goal you've quietly shelved — this episode will help you stop carrying the weight of "someday" and finally choose a direction. In this episode: Why unfinished goals cost you more than you think, even when you're not actively working on them The difference between patience and avoidance A 3-question framework for deciding whether to act or let go John's own commitment on where the book goes from here If something's been sitting unfinished in your head, this is your nudge to pick a path today.
July 29 · 42 min
You Never Arrive, You're Always Becoming with Ryan Hawk
Ryan Hawk has interviewed over 700 high-performing leaders on The Learning Leader Show. In his new book, The Price of Becoming, he breaks down what it actually costs to become the best version of yourself, and why the people who sustain excellence over time never let themselves feel like they've arrived. In this conversation, Ryan and John talk about: Why "you've never arrived, you're always becoming" changed how Ryan thinks about success The three questions Ryan asks himself every night to force real progress How Dave Matthews built one of the most enduring bands in music by refusing to be the most talented person in the room Why sustained excellence often comes at the cost of feeling fully content The power of "following your curiosity and obsessions with great rigor" How to celebrate wins at work without losing your edge Ryan's book, The Price of Becoming, is out now.
July 27 · 8 min
Someone Else Takes Your Spot
Most leaders have been taught that comparison is the thief of joy. Stay in your lane. Don't look at what anyone else has. But what if that advice is only half right? In this episode, John breaks down a coaching call where a client watched a colleague get promoted to vice president and felt the sting of "why not me." Instead of shutting that feeling down, John shows why comparison can actually be one of the most useful tools in a leader's toolkit, if you know the difference between letting it steal from you and letting it show you where the bar is. You'll learn: Why comparison isn't inherently bad, and how to tell when it's helping you versus hurting you The "ice cream cone" mindset shift that changes how you think about missed opportunities Why a goal without audacity is just a wish, and what it actually takes to close the gap If you've ever felt that flicker of "why not me" watching someone else win, this episode will change how you think about it. Register for the Free Ignite Leadership Summit https://www.ignitenextgen.com/
July 20 · 9 min
Outsized Success: Why You're More Worthy Than You Think
Early in my career, I taught a workshop using a tool I learned from the late Lou Holtz, the vision space tool. That story changed how I think about success, and I'm telling it in full here. Because here's what I've learned. Everyone's dreams and definitions of success are different, often shaped by how they were raised or what they've experienced. So this episode isn't about landing on a common definition, or even confirming whether your dreams are big enough. They probably aren't. It's about something else. Whether you believe you're worthy of success. "There isn't a person on the planet who deserves my outsized definition of success more than me." Uncomfortable to say out loud. Weirdly empowering to believe. By the end of this episode, you'll have a simple exercise to define your own outsized success, and the belief to go claim it. If this hit home, you'll want the full book. 📖 Grab The Optimistic Outlook here: https://www.amazon.com/Optimistic-Outlook-Lessons-Important-Muscle/dp/B0G4R5VJH1/
July 16 · 25 min
You Didn't Get There By Yourself
James McLanmb joins the show today. He is the founder of Generation Youth, and in this conversation we get into why removing obstacles for young people backfires, what 2,500 interviews with teens revealed about what they actually struggle with, and how the wisdom of Zig Ziglar still holds up decades later. We talk about: Why "lawnmower parenting" — clearing every obstacle before your kid gets to it — quietly destroys the confidence you're trying to build The three things every teenager struggles with (and how James landed on the exact same three buckets Ziglar identified back in the 1960s) What coaching actually means, and why "leadership is influence, nothing more, nothing less" Why today's most connected generation is also its loneliest Key quotes: "Whenever you see a turtle on top of a fence, you know it didn't get there by itself." "This is the most connected generation in the history of our planet, yet it's the loneliest generation too." "Failure is an event. It's not a person." "By removing these things, you're removing the things that build their character, that build their resilience, that build their confidence." Join us at the summit: John Eades is speaking at the free Igniting the Next Generation Empower Summit (July 27–Aug 7), a virtual event for parents, teachers, coaches, and mentors navigating identity, mental health, social media, and purpose with today's youth. His talk is titled "Your Job Is Not to Keep Them Safe." Register free at ignitenextgen.com.
July 13 · 2 min
What a Privilege
There's a difference between what a privilege is and what a pain is, and it's not the circumstance; it's the lens. Author Will Guidara has a line that will shock your mind back to reality today. "What a privilege to outgrow things you used to settle for." The work piling up, the hard conversation, the tough round of golf, someone out there is praying for exactly what you're frustrated by. Which one are you choosing today? Grab the book that started it all: https://www.amazon.com/Optimistic-Outlook-Lessons-Important-Muscle/dp/B0G4R5VJH1/
May 28 · 30 min
Stop Watching the Scoreboard: Leadership Lessons from Coach Kenny Simpson
Coach Kenny Simpson has been on the front lines of leadership longer than most. He's gone 0 and 10. He's coached kids who needed a father figure more than a playbook. And somewhere along the way, he stopped watching the scoreboard — and started winning more than ever. In this episode, Kenny and I dig into what it really takes to build a winning culture, why accountability and love aren't opposites, and how the best leaders develop systems so strong they have answers before problems occur. Kenny also shares the story behind his new book, Iron Valley — a fictional account of a team that lost 27 games in a row and what it took to turn things around. It's part great story, part leadership curriculum, and it's available now on Amazon. 📖 Grab Iron Valley here: https://www.amazon.com/Iron-Valley-Football-Brotherhood-Chances/dp/B0GWQDTH9X
May 7 · 45 min
The Weight You Carry Alone with Tyler Dickerhoof
Most leaders believe intensity is an asset. And they are right. Until it isn't. Tyler Dickerhoof has spent years studying what separates leaders who build something lasting from the ones who burn everything down chasing results. In this conversation, we get into why your intensity might be driving people away, what happens when you reach the finish line and realize nobody followed you, and the thing most leaders are hiding that is quietly running their leadership. Tyler is the author of the new book The Things We Hide, a deeply personal and practical look at how our fears and insecurities build walls between us and the people we are trying to lead, and what it takes to finally put windows in those walls. "The weight that crushes us is the weight we carry alone." If you have ever felt like you were carrying too much, leading alone, or wondering why your team is not running with you, this episode is for you. Get Tyler's book here: https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/store/p/the-things-we-hide
April 21 · 24 min
Your Next Level Requires You to Play Offense
Most leaders are good. Some are really good. But a lot of them are playing with a ceiling they don't even know they have. Not because of talent. Because of how they're choosing to show up. "Life rewards those who play offense. Not the most prepared, not the most talented, but the ones willing to step up, take the risk, and go for it." In this episode, John breaks down why leaders default to defense, how to build the skill and confidence to play offense in yourself and your people, and the three things that actually move the needle when your team is ready but still won't take the shot. Capacity is not the same as choice. This episode is about closing that gap. Learn more about thr Accelerate Leadership Program Grab John's latest book: Optimistic Outlook on Amazon
April 8 · 35 min
AI Fluency: The Skill Every Leader Needs Now
In this episode of The John Eades Podcast, I sit down with Charlene Li, author of Winning with AI, to unpack one of the biggest shifts leaders are facing right now. Not just how to use AI… but what it means for your role, your team, and your identity. At one point, Charlene tested AI against her own thinking. The results were uncomfortable. The AI was 80% as good as her. That moment forced a deeper question. If AI can do most of what you do… what actually makes you valuable? We talk about what AI really is, why so many leaders are either overestimating or underestimating it, and what it actually means to become "AI fluent." This isn't a conversation about tools. It's a conversation about how leadership is changing. In this episode, we cover: What AI is and how to explain it simply Why AI feels helpful… even when it's wrong The concept of "AI fluency" and why every leader needs it The fear employees have about working themselves out of a job How leaders should think about managing people and AI agents The difference between what AI can do and what only humans can do Why this moment is more about identity than technology You can grab Charlene's book here: Winning with AI If you're leading a team right now, this is not something you can ignore. Because the leaders who win won't just use AI. They'll understand how to think differently because of it.
February 25 · 16 min
The Length of Adversity
*]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:86105fae-90a7-4c7b-82a4-87293ee5f530-48" data-testid= "conversation-turn-20" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> Adversity spares no one. It does not matter how disciplined you are or how well you prepare. At some point, you will face difficulty. The real question is not if. It is when. And often, how long. In this episode, John shares the powerful "coffee bean" lesson he learned from Damon West and connects it with insight from Kara Lawson about what we truly control during hard seasons. Adversity is the gap between what you hoped would happen and what actually does, especially when you cannot control how long it lasts. You cannot shorten the season. But you can strengthen the person in it. In this episode, you will learn: Why uncertainty is often harder than pain How adversity shapes identity and character Three practical ways to strengthen yourself this week How to become transformative instead of soft or hard under pressure 🟩 Key Quote: "The length of adversity is uncertain, but your response never is." 🎟 Join the Free Workshop As mentioned in the episode, you can register for tomorrow's free leadership workshop here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8KDhBUlFTxS_9WLtNyDseQ#/registration If this episode encouraged you, share it with someone walking through a difficult season. Use your gifts.
February 11 · 46 min
Employee Engagement Isn't a Perk Problem, It's an Experience Problem
Jacob Morgan has spent years studying what actually drives employee engagement, and what leaders keep getting wrong. In this wide ranging conversation, we unpack why most engagement efforts turn into short term "dopamine hits" like perks and programs, and why they never solve the real issue. We talk about the difference between employee engagement and employee experience, the cost of disengagement for both the employee and the organization, and how AI is changing the pressure on performance and expectations. Jacob also breaks down a simple framework from his new book and explains how leaders can raise standards without creating burnout or coddled mediocrity. We close with a conversation about accountability, consistency, and the kind of leadership that earns trust when change is required. Jacob's new book is The Eight Laws of Employee Experience
January 28 · 39 min
Bring Your Own Pencil: The Discipline Leaders Forget First
In this episode of The John Eades Podcast, I sit down with Dan Casey and Griffin Brand, co-authors of Bring Your Own Pencil. At its core, this conversation is about preparation, discipline, and respect. Not as buzzwords, but as daily practices that quietly separate professionals from amateurs. Dan and Griffin share stories and principles behind the idea of "bringing your own pencil," the mindset of taking ownership before you're asked, and why leaders who prepare consistently earn trust faster and sustain credibility longer. We talk about: Why preparation is a signal of respect for others How leaders lose influence when they rely on talent alone The difference between showing up and showing up ready This is a practical conversation for leaders who care about standards, growth, and doing the work before the spotlight ever turns on. Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Bring-Your-Own-Pencil-Playbook/dp/B0GGC8JTL4
January 21 · 24 min
The Hard Conversation You're Avoiding Is the One You Need Most
Most people avoid difficult conversations because they believe silence will keep things from getting worse. In reality, avoidance almost always does the opposite. In this episode, John shares a powerful coaching moment with a young physical therapist who was struggling with unmet expectations, growing resentment, and the quiet cost of things left unsaid. That moment opens the door to a simple but uncomfortable truth: confronting in the short term is far better than resenting in the long term. You'll learn: Why motive, not wording, is what truly determines the outcome of a hard conversation The difference between being candid and being effective A practical 6-step framework for direct dialogue with your team How to use "magical feedback" to protect standards while strengthening relationships How to approach difficult conversations with peers and leaders without creating defensiveness This episode is for any leader, manager, or team member who knows they've been avoiding a conversation they need to have. If this topic resonates, it's one we go deep on through Accelerate Leadership and in Building the Best. To explore workshops, keynotes, and leadership development programs, visit johneades.com or learnloft.com.
January 7 · 26 min
Your Growth and Goals Exercise for 2026
Most people rush into goal setting without slowing down long enough to recognize the life they've already lived. In this episode, John walks through the updated 2026 Growth and Goals exercise, a reflective framework he uses with coaching clients and leadership teams to help them honor their growth and set intentional direction for the year ahead. Through a personal story and a guided, question by question walkthrough, this episode invites you to slow down, look honestly at how far you've come, and then define goals that actually matter. 🟩 Download the 2026 Growth and Goals Exercise: https://learnloft.com/annual-growth-audit/ Listen straight through, pause and jot down your answers as you go, or download the exercise and work through it on your own.
Dec 17, 2025 · 16 min
Speed in Leadership is Perpetually Underrated
Most people move too slowly. They wait for clarity, permission, or the perfect moment. High performers do something different. They take advantage of the moment at hand. In this episode, John explains why speed and urgency are perpetually underrated advantages in leadership, sales, and life. Drawing from real-world examples, including healthcare, sales, and high-performing leaders, he shows why speed is not recklessness but respect for the moment in front of you. You'll also learn how leaders can build a culture of urgency without burning out their teams by demonstrating speed, talking about it clearly, and celebrating it intentionally. 🟩 Quote of the Day: "Speed is not rushing. It is respect for the moment in front of you." 📘 Get the book The Optimistic Outlook: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4R5VJH1/
Dec 3, 2025 · 10 min
Choosing Your Optimistic Voice
Today I want to share something meaningful with you. What began as a simple idea to help my kids strengthen their mindset on the way to school grew into a daily newsletter, then a podcast, and now a book. In this special episode, I read the full introduction to my new book, The Optimistic Outlook. The introduction sets the tone for everything the book stands for. It is honest about the reality we all face and the negativity that can shape our thinking, and it offers a simple but powerful truth. You can choose your optimistic voice. One thought at a time. One lesson at a time. If you have been encouraged by this show, the newsletter, or any of the daily messages this year, I think this introduction will speak to you. It explains why optimism is not a feeling you stumble into. It is a skill you train. In this episode, you will hear: • The story behind the Optimistic Outlook • Why your mindset is the most important muscle in your body • The difference between the pessimistic voice and the optimistic voice • Why choosing optimism is not naive, it is intentional • How daily thoughts shape long-term identity • Why I wrote this book and who it is for Quote from the episode: "Life is too short and too hard to let your mind settle into negativity. Your mind must be challenged, shaped, and trained to believe good things can happen and that the future can be bright." If this message resonates with you, you can get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4R5VJH1 Use your gifts, John Eades
Nov 25, 2025 · 20 min
How to Lead with Gratitude (Even When It's Not Easy)
Gratitude changes how you feel without changing your circumstances. In this episode, John explains why gratitude is a leadership advantage, not a soft skill. You will learn how the Gratitude Five Challenge reframes stress, connects you with the people who matter most, and increases engagement on your team. John shares real examples from his own life, research on recognition and appreciation, the handwritten note habit of Frank Blake from Home Depot, and three areas where leaders often withhold gratitude even though it fuels growth. If you want to become a leader people remember for the right reasons, gratitude must be part of your daily practice. Listen and start today. Subscribe to The Optimistic Outlook newsletter for a daily dose of encouragement and practical advice: https://theoptimisticoutlook.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about leadership development at LearnLoft: https://learnloft.com Connect with John: https://johneades.com
Nov 14, 2025 · 19 min
Warren Buffett's Final Lesson on Life and Leadership
Warren Buffett's final annual letter ended with a message about character, growth, and kindness. It was a reminder that success is measured by how you live and how you treat people. In this episode, I break down the four lessons from his closing words and why they matter for your leadership and your life. 🟩 Quote of the Day: "Kindness is costless but also priceless." In this episode: Why failure is feedback How to pick the right heroes and copy their strengths Why writing your obituary creates clarity Why kindness builds trust in every room Subscribe to the daily newsletter: https://theoptimisticoutlook.beehiiv.com/subscribe Learn more about leadership development at: https://learnloft.com/ Connect with me at https://johneades.com/

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