Most organizations celebrate tenure.
Low turnover feels like validation. It shows up on dashboards, in board meetings, and in culture conversations as a sign that things are working.
But there’s a quieter question worth asking. What does tenure actually mean when performance is merely average?
Here’s the distinction I can’t ignore anymore.
If an organization has a lot of tenure and is widely regarded as world class, it’s usually a sign of strong leadership and culture.
If an organization has a lot of tenure and is widely regarded as average, it’s often a sign of weak leadership that has made peace with mediocrity.
Most organizations don’t fail. They stabilize in what I call the land of average. People stay, limited growth is acceptable, and standards slowly soften. And over time, staying becomes easier than striving.
Tenure by itself isn’t good or bad. It’s a signal.
Use your gifts,
John Eades
Founder of LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure
P.S. We just released an updated guide, How to Develop Leaders in 2026. It reflects what I’m seeing most in real leadership conversations right now. If you’re in HR, an executive, or responsible for developing leaders. It’s worth your time (and it’s free.)
This Week’s Poll Question
Anyone who answers this poll is entered to win a free copy of the Optimistic Outlook!
Which best describes your organization today?
Last week’s results: How often do you find yourself fixing or changing work that should not need fixing? (15,155 subscribers)
Rarely (15%)
Sometimes (41%)
Often (32%)
Constantly (12%)
How to Develop Leaders (Whitepaper)
Over the years, we’ve noticed a pattern. Organizations don’t need more leadership content. They need leaders who actually apply what they’ve learned.
That insight led to a new guide, How to Develop Leaders in 2026. It’s less about what should be in a program and more about how leaders actually develop. If leadership development is part of your role, this one’s for you.
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.
The Difficult Conversations Episode (Podcast)
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 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. To explore workshops, keynotes, and leadership development programs, visit johneades.com or learnloft.com.
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 two new keynotes, “The Teamwork Advantage” and “Your Next Level of Leadership,” have been a hit for organizations. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here.
