Most leadership problems don’t show up at the finish line. They show up at the starting line.
Work gets delayed, momentum stalls, and quality suffers, not because teams don’t care, but because urgency was never clearly established and focus was never protected.
The leaders with the highest-performing teams understand this important truth.
Urgency is for starting. Focus is for finishing. Leadership is inspiring both.
There is a good chance you work with a strong sense of urgency and have struggled with one or more of your team members to share your speed.
Since speed is consistently underrated, it’s your responsibility as a leader to define a sustainable tempo that fuels performance without causing burnout.
Use your gifts,
John Eades
Founder of LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure
P.S. A genuine thank you to everyone who purchased The Optimistic Outlook Book and tagged me or texted me when it arrived. It means more to me than you know. We have copies available if you’re interested in a team purchase.
This Week’s Poll Question
Anyone who answers this poll is entered to win a free copy of the Optimistic Outlook! Congratulations to Brad Steele for winning this week’s giveaway. A book is on the way.
Where does your team struggle most?
Last week’s results: How strongly does a leader’s charisma affect whether you buy into their vision? (14,475 subscribers)
Very strongly (48%)
Somewhat (26%)
A little (18%)
Not much (8%)
The Optimistic Outlook (Newsletter)
The Optimistic Outlook is a daily newsletter designed to remind you to focus on the bright side, one day at a time. Join 1300+ leaders who are already improving their Optimistic Outlook.
Speed in Leadership is Perpetually Underrated (Video)
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.
The Teamwork Advantage (Workshop)
Great organizations become world-class when their executive team is aligned, communicates clearly, and leads from a shared purpose.
Molding a Dynamic Executive Team is a facilitated executive alignment session designed to strengthen how senior leaders lead together, not just within their own functions. This working session helps executives clarify expectations, surface
misalignment, and recalibrate the behaviors that shape culture and performance.
During this session, the executive team will:
Define what “world-class” leadership looks like in clear, observable terms
Identify where alignment is strong and where silos or inconsistencies exist
Strengthen alignment, communication, and shared purpose so leadership messages and behaviors are consistent across the organization.
Clarify the executive team’s role in setting standards, reinforcing priorities, and modeling excellence.
This is not a lecture. It is a focused alignment session designed to unify the executive team and raise the level of leadership across the organization.
Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:
Proven Programs to Help Employees Develop Leadership Skills: Bring the Accelerate Leadership Program or Catalyst for Growth Program in-house for a customized experience for your team members. Programs include virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.
One-on-One Executive Coaching: Work 1-on-1 with me or one of our certified coaches to achieve your goals, strengthen critical skills, and address your most pressing challenges. This 6-month program focuses on mindset and execution for tangible, lasting outcomes. Show me more
The Engaged and Inspired Audience: John is now booking 2026. John’s new keynote, “The Teamwork Advantage,” has been a hit for organizations. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here.
