Episode 57

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Published on:

18th Nov 2025

57. The Cost of “Always-On” Leadership (And Why It’s Killing Your Company)

Episode 57 – The Cost of “Always-On” Leadership (And Why It’s Killing Your Company)

Leadership Under Pressure

Being “always on” feels like leadership — quick replies, late-night fixes, and constant availability. But that pace sets the rhythm for your entire company. When you never idle, neither can anyone else.

In this episode, James Mayhew explains how constant connectivity reshapes culture, turning responsiveness into anxiety and movement into noise. You’ll see why calm is the new credibility — and how slowing your rhythm gives your team back the space to think, decide, and own their work.

You’ll Learn:

  • How “always-on” leadership quietly trains teams to react instead of think
  • Why your availability becomes the permission slip for everyone else’s anxiety
  • The hidden difference between control and pace — even trusted teams mirror your energy
  • Why motion isn’t the problem, but absence of rest is
  • How stillness and restraint create the conditions for ownership and trust

Reflection Question:

If your presence sets the pace for everyone else, what rhythm have you been teaching them to keep?

Related Episodes:

  • Ep 5 – The Bottleneck You Didn’t Mean to Build (when leadership becomes dependency)
  • Ep 46 – How to Delegate Without Losing Control (releasing ownership safely)
  • Ep 56 – Your Culture Isn’t Broken. Your Execution Is. (behavior reveals culture)

Links & Resources:

The Next Question Guide → NextQuestionGuide.com

LinkedIn → linkedin.com/in/jamesmayhew

Website → JamesMayhew.com

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About the Podcast

Leadership in 5
Lead better in 5 minutes. Tactical insights for founders who want clarity, momentum, and a business that doesn’t break them.
Execution without excuses. Five minutes. One insight. No wasted words.

Leadership In 5 is the podcast for founders and executives who are done with vague advice and tired of hearing “just communicate better” like it’s a strategy.

I’m James Mayhew. I’ve served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and made the thousand-plus execution mistakes so you don’t have to. I work with high-growth companies that are scaling fast — but who still want to lead with values, not ego.

Each episode delivers one sharp insight you can act on. You’ll hear practical guidance built on clarity, not charisma. No theory. No fluff. Just real leadership tools that work in real companies with real people.

This show exists to help you stop over-functioning, stop repeating yourself, and stop holding it all together just to keep the wheels turning. You deserve a business that works without breaking you.

The show is grounded in The IDP Way, a leadership system built on Integrity, Dignity, and Prosperity. If those words resonate, you’ll feel at home here. And if they challenge you? Even better. Growth starts with honesty.

Want a free companion to the show?
Download "99+ Questions That Create Clarity" at NextQuestionGuide.com
It’s the simplest tool I know to start shifting your team from confused to confident.

Thanks for listening... and for leading.

About your host

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James Mayhew

James R. Mayhew is a leadership coach and strategic advisor to founders and executives building fast-growth, values-driven companies. He created the IDP Way, a leadership system grounded in integrity, dignity, and prosperity. James helps leaders align people, purpose, and performance so their business can scale with clarity, not chaos.

He’s served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and built execution systems that actually work.