What it means:

Focusing primarily on being liked leads you to avoid difficult conversations, lower standards, and overlook poor performance. Your role isn't to win a popularity contest; it's to inspire, empower, and serve your team to reach higher levels of performance.

Being liked isn’t a bad thing; it’s a good thing. But it can’t be the primary goal.

What it means:

One of the hardest lessons any manager learned is this one. It’s tempting to believe you are a leader because you have the title.

However, management is a title; leadership is action. Being placed in charge doesn't automatically grant you influence or respect. Leadership requires intentional actions that elevate others.

What it means:

Effective leaders set clear expectations and consistently hold their teams accountable. They focus on outcomes and results, not on personal preferences or convenience.

But this is extremely difficult because you do have a preference for the way things are taught or completed. Prioritizing performance over preference demonstrates genuine care and creates clarity for your team to succeed.

Use your gifts,

John Eades

CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure

P.S. There are a couple of spotes remaining for today’s special virtual workshop called How to Lead a Winning Team from 11 AM - 1 PM EST. It’s designed for managers who want a proven framework to help them lead effectively. In just 2 hours, you’ll learn how to lead with confidence through talent, culture, and strategy. Learn more and reserve your spot here.

Why Bad Leaders Focus on Being Nice (Blog)

How to Lead a Winning Team (Workshop)

If you’re responsible for leading people, this workshop will be an immediate game-changer for you. In this application-focused session, I’ll guide you step-by-step through:

• Talent: How to identify and retain your best performers and develop or replace your low-performers.

• Culture: How to intentionally create and sustain a high-performing culture that drives performance and engagement.

• Strategy: How to set clear expectations and goals to maximize your team’s success.

I've helped thousands of leaders apply these principles, significantly improving employee engagement, accountability, and measurable results. Here's what you'll get:

The workshop is today, August 7th from 11 AM to 1 PM EST.

I am so confident you'll find immediate value from this session that we include a money-back guarantee. It will pay for itself in performance gains and team results almost immediately.

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 875+ leaders who are already improving their Optimistic Outlook.

The Optimistic Outlook is now available wherever you listen to podcasts. Channel your inner John Eades and make your kids listen to it, then read it aloud to work on their minds and communication skills.

Why Teamwork is So Difficult (Podcast)

"Team Building isn't an activity, it's a habit." 

In the lastest, episode, David Burkus joins John to talk all things teamwork and team building to help you more effectively lead your team.  You can get David's book, Best Team Ever, here. The book outlines five key strategies that top-performing teams share:

Clarity – Everyone knows the team’s mission, how success is measured, and what’s expected of them.

Connection – Team members feel personally connected to each other, not just the work.

Contribution – People know how their role makes a difference.

Psychological Safety – It’s safe to speak up, disagree, and take risks.

Purpose – There’s a shared sense of meaning that goes beyond the task list.

Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:

1. How to Lead a Winning Team: Sign up for today’s How to Lead a Winning Team Workshop. Spots are limited, so secure your spot today. 

2. Customized Leadership Development Programs: 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.

3. 1:1 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

4. Speaking: We are now booking keynotes for the fall of 2025. Hit reply on this note, or check out some of our recent talks here. 
   

That’s It For Today!