In this episode of The John Eades Podcast, I sit down with Dan Casey and Griffin Brand, co-authors of Bring Your Own Pencil.

At its core, this conversation is about preparation, discipline, and respect. Not as buzzwords, but as daily practices that quietly separate professionals from amateurs. Dan and Griffin share stories and principles behind the idea of "bringing your own pencil," the mindset of taking ownership before you're asked, and why leaders who prepare consistently earn trust faster and sustain credibility longer.

We talk about:

• Why preparation is a signal of respect for others
• How leaders lose influence when they rely on talent alone
• The difference between showing up and showing up ready

This is a practical conversation for leaders who care about standards, growth, and doing the work before the spotlight ever turns on.

Get the book here:
https://www.amazon.com/Bring-Your-Own-Pencil-Playbook/dp/B0GGC8JTL4

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 use "magical feedback" to protect standards while strengthening relationships

• 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 and in Building the Best.
To explore workshops, keynotes, and leadership development programs, visit johneades.com or learnloft.com.

Most people rush into goal setting without slowing down long enough to recognize the life they've already lived.

In this episode, John walks through the updated 2026 Growth and Goals exercise, a reflective framework he uses with coaching clients and leadership teams to help them honor their growth and set intentional direction for the year ahead.

Through a personal story and a guided, question by question walkthrough, this episode invites you to slow down, look honestly at how far you've come, and then define goals that actually matter.

🟩 Download the 2026 Growth and Goals Exercise:
https://learnloft.com/annual-growth-audit/

Listen straight through, pause and jot down your answers as you go, or download the exercise and work through it on your own.