John Amaechi

1/3 The language you use in your team every day inevitably becomes culture. If ‘interesting’ is your default feedback, don’t be surprised when your team defaults to passive effort.

2/3 Because people do more than listen to your words, they interpret them. And when your language is vague, your culture becomes the same. Precision builds trust. When you say exactly what you mean, good or bad, people can stop guessing and use that brain space to take up more valuable pursuits.

1/3 Too often I’m asked for solutions to poor communication or low performance, but what people are really looking for is a plaster. Something quick and tidy. But plasters don’t fix problems, they just hide them.

2/3 If you don’t identify the cause beneath the symptom - the culture, behaviours or lack of clarity - your solutions will always be temporary. Leadership is about asking the hard questions, like why is this happening in the first place.

1/3 We’re comfortable with discomfort, but only when we choose it. Leaders are often comfortable discussing and sharing the uncomfortable when it comes to the gym or personal goals.

2/3 Yet, when it comes to giving honest feedback or challenging a harmful norm? Suddenly the discomfort feels intolerable. But that’s where growth happens. In the uncomfortable conversations and the moments you choose integrity over ease.

1/2 Today, my episode of the @businessleader.bsky.social podcast with @joshdornbrack.bsky.social is out! It will surprise no one that our conversation was leadership-led, but we really dug into what it takes to build an organisation where people can thrive. Not just exist, but really excel.

1/5 There’s something about the shift in season that forces reflection; the slowing pace, the shorter days, the pause between chapters.

4/5 If there is a solution to what ails this world, to the challenges in our businesses, institutions and communities, it's not ‘the young people’ - some distant, future generation or yet-to-be-discovered iconic future leader or politician.

1/5 There’s something about the shift in season that forces reflection; the slowing pace, the shorter days, the pause between chapters.

2/5 After time on the road, from the US book tour, to a return to Finland with clients, I took some time out to pause and reset before coming home to my favourite view of London from my roof terrace.

1/3 I’m honoured to be recognised by the Motivational Speakers Agency as one of London’s top motivational speakers. Speaking has always been one of the most meaningful parts of my work, not just for what’s shared on stage, but for the conversations that happen in the room.

2/3 The ideas exchanged, the moments of reflection, the courage to see things differently - that’s what makes it worthwhile. It feels especially meaningful to be recognised for sessions on leadership, culture and inclusion. They’re not always easy topics, but they’re always necessary.

1/3 This Friday, I’ll be returning to The Ivy Club in London for an evening of conversation and connection around my new book, ‘It’s Not Magic’.

2/3 Evenings like this are the best part of releasing a book. I get to sit down with you…leaders who are considered and committed to developing your leadership skills, discuss the real implications of my work and answer your questions face to face.

1/4 Seeing the endorsements come in for It’s Not Magic from some brilliant minds has been both surreal and affirming.

3/4 Two esteemed voices who have taken the time to give their thoughts on my book, now gracing the cover. Their endorsements mean a great deal to me, not only because of who they are, but because they’ve seen the value in these ideas.

1/4 Seeing the endorsements come in for It’s Not Magic from some brilliant minds has been both surreal and affirming.

1/2 Fractional improvements are what move leaders closer to winning. They might be imperceptible to most people, but they add up.