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- Why Leadership Isn't Your Title or Role
Of all the articles and ideas I have written about in the last 10 years, today is the one I am most convicted about.
It’s easy to believe that your title or role means you’re a leader. But that wouldn’t be the truth. If you take your role seriously because of the responsibility and opportunity it provides, then this week is for you.
Let’s get after it,
I. A job title provides responsibility and an opportunity to lead, but a title isn’t leadership.
What it means:
You aren’t your role, and your title doesn’t automatically make you a leader.
Unfortunately, that’s the opposite of how most managers think. While it’s true that a title comes with responsibility and an opportunity to lead, a title isn’t leadership.
II. The type of leader you are is a window into you soul.
What it means:
Your leadership paints a picture of the work you have put in to develop your:
Character – The maturity of the mental and moral qualities that are distinctive to you.
Communication skills – The ability to convey messages clearly and foster meaningful connections.
Emotional Intelligence – The capacity to channel your emotions to work for you instead of against you.
Mindset – The mental perspective that shapes how you approach challenges, growth, success, and failure.
Heart for people – The genuine care and empathy that drives you to elevate others
Whether you like it or not, all five reveal themselves over time and are a window into your soul.
III. Teams need strong, courageous, positive, and selfless people who desire the responsibility of leading.
What it means:
Nothing is as difficult as taking responsibility for people’s actions you can’t control and for outcomes that you can only influence. You have to be quick to take the blame when things go wrong and quick to give credit to others when things go right.
The hard truth is that leadership is painful and rewarding at the same time. It is hard with one person and easy with the next. It is a struggle in the short term and rewarding in the long term.
I don’t write that to discourage but to encourage you. The world needs people who know the difficulty of leadership and willingly choose it anyway.
Use your gift,
John Eades
CEO | LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure
P.S. I am spending the day with leaders at Pinehurst Resort today, helping them Accelerate Leadership. It’s a world-class venue for meetings and, of course, golf! This is your place if you want a place to play, stay, or meet in 2025.
The Optimistic Outlook (New Newsletter)
The Optimistic Outlook is a daily newsletter designed to remind you to focus on the bright side, one day at a time. Join 420+ leaders who are already improving their Optimistic Outlook. Here is the top message from this week:
What you want matters, but what matters more is what you are avoiding.
There is a magical idea that I want you to memorize, “The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.”
Today is the day to hit play. It’s time to pursue the goal you are avoiding. Don’t worry about how well you do or how it goes; attack it with one intentional action.
A better marriage is on the other side of a difficult conversation. A best seller is on the other side of writing that book. Your best health is on the other side of that workout. Impact on others is on the other side of coaching that team.
Attack what you are avoiding.
The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.
How to Develop Leaders in 2025 (Free Workshop)
Leadership development is not only important but essential. From strengthening culture to navigating AI’s impact and planning for the future workforce, organizations must evolve to thrive.
Join us for this free workshop on March 5th at 12 PM EST on Zoom, where you’ll learn the five essential elements every leadership development program must include.
Molding Young People Creates Leaders Tomorrow (Video)
Your leadership is temporary but your impact is lasting.
This is to all the professionals who coach or support youth sports.
Molding young people today helps create impactful leaders tomorrow.
99.9 % of them won’t play professional sports (even though their parents think they will) but confidence is the memory of success. Sports builds confidence and develops leaders.
Whether you are coaching youth sports or leading at work, what two attributes would your team members use to describe your leadership?
When You or Your Company is Ready, Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:
Accelerate Leadership OnDemand: Go from manager to leader on your own schedule. Our flagship on-demand course gives you immediate access to the proven Accelerate Leadership framework—no need to wait on your company’s timeline. The best part is it only requires a $99 investment.
Accelerate Leadership System: Save your HR or executive team time, energy, and effort while transforming managers into effective leaders. This comprehensive program includes virtual or in-person instructor-led training, a Leadership Growth Plan, and group coaching to ensure real-world mastery.
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.
Catalyst for Growth: Invest in your high-potential talent. This personal and professional development program boosts retention, performance, and leadership skills—ultimately creating a pipeline of future leaders.
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