Fear motivates. There’s no denying that. It gets people to move. But it rarely helps them grow.
Since the beginning of time, leaders have used fear to get results. It works in the short term, but it always costs more than it gives. It delivers compliance, not commitment. It’s a shortcut that erodes trust and slowly poisons the culture of any team or organization.
Fear delivers compliance, not commitment.
The truth is, most leaders don’t use fear on purpose. It sneaks in when the moment gets tough. And I don’t blame them; it’s not easy to build the skill required to inspire or transfer belief. So they default to using title or authority to change behavior. But every time fear is used, psychological safety diminishes. And when people don’t feel safe, they stop thinking, sharing, and creating.
Said differently, fear flows in one direction. So use it sparingly.
Coaching question:
What kind of leader are you when things get difficult?
Use Your Gifts,
John Eades, CEO of LearnLoft | The Sales Infrastructure
How common is fear-based leadership where you work today?
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 1000+ 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.
How Gratitude and Grace Build Resilient Leaders (Podcast)
In this powerful episode, former professional baseball player and performance coach Chris Vasami joins John Eades to explore how gratitude, grace, and daily discipline shape resilient leaders. After facing a life-changing cancer diagnosis, Chris shares how he repurposed his athletic mindset to focus on what truly matters — and what we can all learn from it.
In this conversation, we cover:
How to control what matters most and release what doesn’t
Why “micro moments” shape your character and leadership impact
The 4 G’s that guide Chris’s life: Grind, Grace, Gratitude, and Great
How to reframe struggle as a classroom for growth
The simple morning habit that sets the tone for your entire day
Here Are Some Ways We Could Partner:
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.
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
Speaking: We are now booking keynotes for the fall of 2025 and early 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.
