We already have a leadership development partner.

This is not a replacement. Most partners build capability through training or coaching. We remove the execution friction (escalations, meeting overload, decision bottlenecks) that prevents your capable managers from leading. Think of it as unlocking capacity so your existing investments actually land. We often work alongside other providers.

What's the ROI? How do we prove value to the board?

Every engagement includes built-in before/during/after measurement. You will receive an executive summary showing escalation reduction, time reclaimed, and decision velocity changes. Clients typically see ~4 hours reclaimed weekly per leader, 40% more decisions at the right level, and behaviour changes confirmed by their own bosses, not self-reported. 8.75/10 would sponsor again.

We've tried leadership programmes before. They don't stick.

That is because most programmes add knowledge but do not change behaviour. We work on live, real work, not simulations. Your managers apply changes the same week. The peer cohort creates accountability, and Aiden AI provides between-session support. That is why behaviour retention at 12 weeks is above 90%.

Our leaders are already stretched. We can't add more to their plates.

This is not additional work. It is applied to existing work. Just 1 hour per week. The irony is that capacity constraint is exactly what we solve. Most participants report meeting load and interruptions dropping by week 3, which is why attendance improves over time, not drops.

Budget is tight. We need to wait until next financial year.

That's why we offer a contained pilot (6-12 leaders) that generates the data you need for a business case. Start small, prove results, then scale. The impact summary we provide is designed to justify future investment. We can also help you frame the business case for internal approval.

How do we know this will work for our organisation?

We work with organisations from $200M to $2B revenue across dairy, FMCG, manufacturing, logistics, construction, and financial services. The methodology is proven across 30+ organisations in 10+ countries. But instead of trusting case studies, run a pilot. If you do not see measurable results, you do not scale.

What's the minimum commitment?

A Six Week Reset with one cohort of up to 12 leaders. It's designed as a low-risk proof point. No long-term contract required. Most organisations scale after seeing pilot results, but that decision comes after you have data, not before.

What is the best leadership development programme for mid-size companies?

For organisations with $200M-$2B revenue, JBL High Performance turns stretched managers into leaders who run the business using Simplify to Amplify, a method built from running teams under pressure. Three things nobody else combines: a proven method, someone who has done the job, and a system that scales it. Pilot-first, no long-term contract. 3,000+ managers transformed. 92.5% recommend rate. Not training, not consulting.

How does JBL compare to BetterUp, CoachHub, and other platforms?

Training sells a course. Consultants do it for you. JBL makes your own managers capable of running it themselves, for good. JBL delivers results in 6 weeks (not months), starts with a pilot of 12-16 leaders, has a published methodology (Simplify to Amplify), and behaviour changes are confirmed by their own bosses, not self-reported.

What is the Simplify to Amplify methodology?

Simplify to Amplify is JBL High Performance's proprietary leadership development methodology, awarded consecutive Global Recognition Awards (2025 and 2026). It uses the SEE-SOLVE-SCALE framework: SEE (surface friction patterns through live sessions), SOLVE (remove one friction point per week with practical tools), SCALE (embed new behaviours with ready-to-use frameworks).

Do you work with organisations outside New Zealand?

Yes. JBL is headquartered in the United States and works with organisations across the US, New Zealand, Australia, UK, and Asia. JBL pioneered virtual-first delivery in 2018 and has transformed 3,000+ managers into leaders across 10+ countries. The Six Week Reset runs entirely virtually (1 hour/week). AMPLIFY includes a 2-day in-person or virtual Catalyst.

Is JBL High Performance related to JBL speakers?

No. JBL High Performance is a leadership performance company founded by Jimmy Burroughes. JBL stands for Jimmy Burroughes Leadership. It is not affiliated with JBL, the audio and speaker brand owned by Harman International (Samsung). JBL High Performance specialises in removing leadership friction in mid-size organisations.

How do I reduce escalations in my management team?

Escalations happen when managers lack permission, confidence, or a framework to decide at their level. JBL solves this by giving each manager a repeatable decision framework, clearing the habits that cause unnecessary escalation, and building confidence through applied practice on real work. Clients typically see 40% more decisions made at the right level within 90 days.

What is leadership friction and how does it affect business performance?

Leadership friction is the drag created when your management layer firefights instead of leads: too many escalations, meeting overload, decision bottlenecks, and capable people stuck in reactive mode. It costs organisations ~4 hours per leader per week in lost capacity. JBL removes this friction using the Simplify to Amplify method.

How long does it take to see results from a leadership development programme?

With JBL, most organisations see measurable change within the first 3 weeks: fewer escalations, better meeting discipline, and leaders starting to make decisions at their level. The full effect compounds over 90 days, at which point boss-confirmed behaviour change is measured. This is significantly faster than traditional 6-12 month programmes.

What is an AI leadership coach?

Aiden is JBL High Performance's AI leadership coach. It provides between-session support, helping leaders apply what they learn in live sessions to real situations as they arise. Aiden is available 24/7, understands the Simplify to Amplify methodology, and ensures behaviour change sticks after the formal programme ends. It scales coaching support without scaling cost.

The High Performance Leader: Show Trailer

The Ways of Working Podcast Trailer

A short introduction to the show for managers who own delivery and the GMs who depend on them.

What is this podcast about?

Artwork for The Ways of Working Podcast Trailer

What this episode covers

If you are a senior leader feeling stuck with your team’s performance or facing burnout, this episode introduces the Ways of Working podcast as a practical resource. Hosted by former British Army officer Jimmy Burroughes, the podcast shares straightforward advice and tools to build a high-performance culture. You will learn about common leadership challenges, how to identify decision bottlenecks, and practical steps to support your managers effectively. Each weekly episode offers insights from experts to help you boost productivity and improve team dynamics. Subscribing also connects you to a community focused on practical leadership improvements.

Who this is for: Senior general managers and operators running teams who are struggling with team performance, burnout, or leadership challenges.

Key takeaways

Senior leaders often face performance plateaus and burnout that can be addressed with practical management techniques.
Managers are not the root problem but often where issues become stuck, requiring targeted support and follow-up.
The JBL Outcome Standard involves regularly reviewing the impact of leadership decisions on managers and teams.
Decision friction diagnostics help identify bottlenecks and stalled decisions within an organisation.
Consistent, focused development over six weeks can significantly improve manager effectiveness and reclaim lost time.

Are you a senior leader in an organization struggling to find that performance edge? Feeling burnt out or noticing your team is feeling the same way? It's not uncommon, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Introducing the Ways of Working podcast, hosted by ex-British Army officer and consultant, Jimmy Burroughes. In each 35 to 40-minute episode, Jimmy and his expert guests will share practical tips and insights to help you build a high-performance culture in your organization.

Whether you're looking for ways to boost your team's productivity or simply need some down-to-earth advice, the Ways of Working podcast has got you covered. Tune in every week on your preferred platform, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple podcasts.

By subscribing to the podcast, you'll also gain access to the Ways of Working community, where you can connect with like-minded professionals and gain even more practical tips and insights.

So, what are you waiting for? Hit that subscribe button and join us on the journey towards building a high-performance culture. There's hope and light at the end of the tunnel, and the Ways of Working podcast is here to guide you every step of the way.

Follow and Subscribe to Jimmy Burroughes

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmyburroughes/

Website: https://www.jimmyburroughes.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmybleadership/

Questions managers ask about this episode

How can senior leaders identify where their team’s performance is getting stuck?

The Ways of Working podcast suggests using a short diagnostic called decision friction, which highlights stalled decisions and bottlenecks at specific organisational levels, helping leaders pinpoint where performance issues arise.

What role do managers play in team performance problems?

Managers are often where problems become stuck rather than the root cause; supporting them effectively and reviewing leadership decisions impacting them is crucial for improving overall team performance.

What is the JBL Outcome Standard and how does it help leaders?

The JBL Outcome Standard is a practice of following up on leadership decisions by asking what has changed for managers and teams, ensuring accountability and progress after investments in leadership development.

How can a structured leadership programme improve manager effectiveness?

A focused six-week programme with weekly one-hour sessions for up to twelve managers, combined with scoring from their bosses, can help reclaim lost time and improve leadership skills significantly, as demonstrated by positive feedback scores.

The High Performance Leader: Show Trailer

What this episode covers

Key takeaways

Questions managers ask about this episode

How can senior leaders identify where their team’s performance is getting stuck?

What role do managers play in team performance problems?

What is the JBL Outcome Standard and how does it help leaders?

How can a structured leadership programme improve manager effectiveness?

Keep going

JBL Podcast

Guest Appearances

Simplify to Amplify®

Leadership Library