John Eades is the CEO of LearnLoft, a leadership development company that transforms managers into leaders. In 2017 he was named a LinkedIn Top Voice in Management and Workplace. He is also a renowned speaker and host of the Follow My Lead podcast. He joins Marcel Schwantes on this week’s show to talk about his new book, Building the Best: Eight Proven Leadership Principles to Elevate Others to Success, and to equip you with the tools you need to become the kind of leader the world needs today.

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Show Notes

• John describes his book as a collection of stories, principles and best practices to help elevate the way you lead. He specifically included tools in the book to help readers apply the principles in their daily leadership practice. [4:23]
• Marcel cites a line from John’s book: “The most effective leaders who elevate others, lead with high levels of love and discipline.” John defines love as ‘to contribute to someone’s long-term success and wellbeing.’ But there also needs to be discipline. Discipline, in this case, means to promote standards so that those we lead can choose to be at their best. [5:16]
• John has created an assessment tool to measure both love and discipline. He cites statistics from his research that proves that leaders who use high levels of love and discipline get better business results. [7:37]
• If as a leader you only look at results, John says, your people will start to cut corners to get the results you want. Instead, you should focus on the daily behaviors and habits that live out your core values. The more your employees buy into your values, the more you will see the desired results. [12:52]
• John lists the five leadership styles in his book. The top-level leadership style is called Elevate, which entails high levels of love and discipline. He says that you can put this type of leader in any company and they will elevate others. The performance will also elevate. [14:00]
• Leadership is a journey. We can all develop our skills and become better leaders. [15:58]
• Once we set high standards we have to hold ourselves and others accountable. John comments that we shouldn’t look at accountability as negative; it also means that giving praise and recognition when standards are exceeded. [17:44]
• Marcel asks John to share one love competency. John chooses trust because there is no effective leadership without mutual trust. He quotes an old saying, “Rules without relationship lead to rebellion.” You build trust by putting competence and care at the center of your relationships. It takes time though, so you have to be willing to put in the effort. [19:41]
• John says that it’s a leader’s responsibility to understand the purpose behind the work and communicate that purpose to the team repeatedly. When work is tied to purpose, employees are more engaged and less likely to leave. [23:51]
• “What are the core responsibilities of a modern leader?” Marcel asks. John responds that a true leader elevates others by inspiring, empowering and serving them. He defines what each of these words means for a leader. His definition of ‘inspire’ in particular, resonates with Marcel. [25:47]
• John explains why leading with fear is still so rampant in the workplace. Leaders need to combat fear by choosing to be courageous, he says. [31:16]
• Marcel comments that great leaders surround themselves with a team of mentors. John names several of his mentors and points out that you have to seek out people who you want to learn and grow from. He wants listeners to actively seek out good mentors because they add so much value. [33:57]
• John wants you to know that the most faithful wins. He encourages you to do your best wherever you are to elevate others, and don’t give up. In due time you will be rewarded. [40:42]

The Book

Resources

Take the Leadership Style assessment

BuildingTheBestBook.com

John Eades on LinkedIn | Instagram | Twitter

Related Episodes

• Randy Ross: Relationomics (Episode #27)
• Steve Farber: Love Is Just Damn Good Business (Episode #25)
• Jacqueline Carter: The Mind of the Leader (Episode #31)

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