Episode 58: The Leadership Reset: Stop Drowning, Start Swimming (Part 3 of 3)

Here is the verbatim transcript of the episode:

Summary

In this final installment of the three-part mini-series, Jimmy Burroughes explores the "Leadership Reset," guiding leaders on how to move from feeling overwhelmed to intentionally driving results. Utilizing the classic Stop, Start, Continue framework, he challenges leaders to audit not just their daily actions, but also the underlying core beliefs that dictate their behavior. By focusing on micro-actions and high-impact tasks rather than mere busyness, leaders can avoid drowning in daily demands and build sustainable high performance.

Key Quotes

"Drowning, in a leadership context, is when you're so overwhelmed, you don't even know which way is up."

"The reality is that unless you change, things rarely change."

"Effective leadership boils down to doing the important things that create the biggest value or impact, not just being busy."

"Reset doesn't always mean a massive overhaul. Actually, it rarely does. It's about the micro-actions, the 1% tweaks that over time add up to something big."

***

Introduction: The Final Stretch of the Mini-Series

[00:00] JIMMY: Welcome to this episode of The High Performance Leader, the podcast for leaders working in complex, challenging environments to gain insights and ideas which help you increase your impact without burning out and to help you build a high performance culture in your team. I'm your host, Jimmy Burroughes. And if you're new to The High Performance Leader, make sure you subscribe or follow so you don't miss any of our upcoming episodes before you put down your device.
[00:32] If you've been riding this mini-series with me, we're now hitting the final stretch, part three. So first off, thumbs up for sticking with it. We started out exploring your mindset, kind of like looking under the hood to see what's actually driving your leadership engine. Then last episode, we went through the tool set, the gear you're carrying around in your leadership backpack, and, yeah, hopefully you've chucked a few heavy, outdated tools by now.
Now, it's time for the big reset. This is where things get real. Most leaders talk about wanting different results—higher-performing teams, more energy, all that good stuff—but rarely hit pause long enough to actually check their course. And I get it. Leadership often feels like you're on a hamster wheel, playing whack-a-mole with no time to even think about your next minute, let alone get strategic. But this episode is all about making that space for a reset, not just on what you do, but what you believe about being a leader. So let's dive in. Water metaphor totally intentional, as always.

The Stop, Start, Continue Framework

[01:36] Right, let's get into the nuts and bolts of reset using the the classic stop, start, continue framework. Now, if you're not familiar with it, the concept's pretty simple: What are the things you need to stop doing? What should you start doing? And what's actually working that you ought to just continue? And honestly, this framework is gold for leaders. It gives you clarity and a way to make changes without getting buried in analysis paralysis.
Uh, this actually reminds me, um, back when I was in the military, we'd do a lot of river crossings. Usually, you'd have to swim in these, uh, let's just say, uh, less-than-ideal conditions: cold, muddy, not a tropical holiday, right? We were taught to know the difference between when you're swimming towards a target, when you're just keeping yourself above water, and, worst case, when you're drowning.
[02:33] Let me unpack that for a sec. Drowning, in a leadership context, is when you're so overwhelmed, you don't even know which way is up. Maybe you're just fixated on hitting next quarter's numbers, head down, blinkered, and not noticing you're actually sinking. Treading water, though, that's when your head up, still in control, aware, and scanning, uh, the options. And swimming, well, that's when you're actively making progress, moving in a direction toward a goal you've identified.
The reset and this stop, start, continue framework is about knowing when to pause and tread water, take stock before you end up underwater. So, what are the things dragging you down that you need to stop? What's missing from your routine or mindset that you need to start? And, critically, what's already working that you don't want to throw out with the river water?
[03:26] It's really easy to blame external factors and say things like, "If I can just get through this week, month, quarter, then things will be better." But the reality is that unless you change, things rarely change. Even more so in this VUCA world we live in. You might survive this challenge, but the next one is just around the corner. You're a bit more tired, and unless you change tactics, your likelihood of drowning is increased. As you think it through, ask yourself: Which actions are actually serving your goals right now? And which beliefs, if I'm being honest, need to be challenged or doubled down on? That reset moment, the pause, the reset, is what helps leaders pivot from just surviving to actually thriving and making massive impact. And...

Conducting a Belief Audit

[04:15] Now, here's where things get a bit trickier, because most of what we do, day in and day out, is fueled by what we believe. I mean, let's just admit it. Even if you're smashing through a to-do list, underneath all those activities are beliefs about what matters, what's right or wrong, good or bad. As we touched on in episode one, those core beliefs are often what keeps us stuck or, on the flip side, propel us forward.
This stop, start, continue process isn't just about actions; it's also about running a belief audit. What do you need to stop believing about what makes a good leader? What needs to start emerging as a new belief you can practice? And what beliefs have already served you well and are worth doubling down on?
[05:08] In the Amplify program, I always hammer this point: Effective leadership boils down to doing the important things that create the biggest value or impact, not just being busy, not trying to be the team's superhero or, as I sometimes call it, the village fisherman. You know, just casting lines everywhere, hoping something works. If your beliefs about leadership are stuck on that old myth, you'll keep sabotaging your own performance even if you know the best tools.
Let's talk real world for a second. Think back to Steve Jobs after he came back to Apple. He'd had time away, doing stuff at Pixar and NeXT, and it totally reset his beliefs about product, purpose, and leadership. Instead of doing things because that's how it had always been done, like, he focused on what would have the most impact. That's the power of resetting the beliefs that sit below your actions. So, for you, maybe that means looking at some of your own beliefs. Are they actually helping you lead, or just keeping you busy for the sake of looking busy?

Micro-Actions for Big Impact

[06:19] So let's bring this home with a totally practical angle. Reset doesn't always mean a massive overhaul. Actually, it rarely does. It's about the micro-actions, the 1% tweaks that over time add up to something big. Change is easier to stick to when it's small and targeted, as we have discussed a thousand times before.
For today, I want you to ask yourself: What's one small thing—just one—you could do to reset either your actions or your beliefs that would make a noticeably outsized difference next week? Maybe it's stopping a meeting you know is pointless, or starting a genuine check-in with your team, or even just taking 5 minutes at the end of your day to reflect. Don't aim for perfection; just start with that one reset.

Conclusion and Outro

[07:13] That's it for this episode and the mini-series. If you've joined all three, thank you for making space for your own reset as a leader. Remember, the smallest step is still a step. In fact, sometimes it's the only way real change actually sticks. We'll keep building from here, and I can't wait to dive in with you again next time. Until then, keep leading with impact.
[07:35] That's it for this week's episode of The High Performance Leader. If you enjoyed this episode, please drop a review on whichever platform you listened on. We really appreciate it, and it helps us to connect with new listeners. Also, if you haven't already, head to jblhighperformance.com and download a copy of my latest bestseller, *Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance*. It's the leader's playbook for building a high performance culture, and is packed with practical action tips to get you started. Stay tuned for next week's episode of game-changing insights and ideas on The High Performance Leader.