Episode 107

Why senior leaders procrastinate and how to break the cycle

SUMMARY

Procrastination isn’t a productivity issue for senior leaders it’s a leadership signal.

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores why capable, high performing leaders increasingly struggle with procrastination, why it looks different at senior level, and how leaders can break the cycle without resorting to pressure, self-criticism, or dramatic exits.

This is a practical, reflective conversation for CEOs and senior leaders who feel busy, effective, and trusted yet find themselves avoiding the work that matters most.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why procrastination becomes more common at senior leadership level.

The impact of decision weight and the associated emotional cost.

Why procrastination is often disguised as productivity.

Practical proven strategies senior leaders use to regain momentum and clarity.

Who This Episode Is For

CEOs, founders, and managing directors

Senior executives and leadership teams

High performers who feel busy but misaligned

Leaders avoiding important decisions or conversations

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 106 - When performance stops feeling worth it: A conversation leaders rarely admit they’re having

Episode 103 - Escaping leadership loneliness: The art of building powerful support networks 

Episode 99 - Leadership Essentials: Productivity - Reclaiming focus in a distracted world

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 106

When performance stops feeling worth it: A conversation leaders rarely admit they’re having

In this episode, James Rule tackles a question many experienced leaders think but rarely say out loud: “Is this still worth it?” This is not an episode about burnout or quitting leadership. It’s a candid, challenging conversation about misalignment, emotional fatigue, and the hidden cost of sustained high performance. If you are still delivering results but quietly questioning the trade-offs, this episode will resonate.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

Why questioning leadership does not equal failure

How to identify misalignment to restore fulfilment 

Challenge the Status Quo to create sustainable high performance

How to reduce emotional load without stepping away from responsibility

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 102 - Ten steps that made 2025 my best ever year. They can do the same for you.

Episode 104  - Don’t drift into 2026: The annual review that sets you up for your best year yet

Episode 98 - Leadership Essentials: Resilience - Creating strength that endures

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 105

Accelerating into the New Year! A leadership reset for sustainable high performance

SUMMARY SECTION 

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast James Rule explores how leaders can accelerate into the new year with clarity, intention, and sustainable high performance without falling into the trap of short lived resolutions and burnout.

Rather than setting bigger goals, this episode challenges leaders to define success properly, align performance across professional and personal life, and build a clear roadmap for the year ahead.

If you are a leader looking to improve productivity, focus, wellbeing, and long-term impact this episode is for you.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Clarify what success looks like across career, energy, relationships, growth, and wellbeing.
• Building a performance roadmap that actually works.
• How to accelerate professionally without sacrificing personal wellbeing.
• Identify what to stop doing to unlock time, enhance focus and drive momentum
• Design habits and boundaries that support sustainable high performance

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 102 - Ten steps that made 2025 my best ever year. They can do the same for you.

Episode 104 - Don’t drift into 2026: The annual review that sets you up for your best year yet

Episode 99 - Leadership Essentials: Productivity - Reclaiming focus in a distracted world 

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 104 - Don’t drift into 2026: The annual review that sets you up for your best year yet

SUMMARY SECTION 

As leaders, it’s easy to drift from one year into the next without ever truly stopping to reflect. January arrives. The inbox fills. The pressure resumes and by March, many leaders are wondering why nothing feels different. In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast James Rule challenges that pattern and invites you to pause, reflect, and intentionally design what comes next. This is not about New Year’s resolutions or vague goal-setting. It’s about leadership responsibility, starting with how you lead yourself.

The Two Reviews every leader must conduct:

Professional review: performance, impact, relationships, reputation, career capital.

Personal review: energy, health, mindset, habits, fulfilment.

High performance without wellbeing is a short career. This episode shows how the two must align.

Who this episode is for

Senior leaders and executives feeling stuck in repeat cycles.

High performers who want sustainable success, not burnout.

Leaders who want clarity, focus, and fulfilment heading into 2026.

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 102 - Ten steps that made 2025 my best ever year. They can do the same for you.

Episode 93 - Inside The Lonely Leader: My story, my philosophy 

Episode 15 - The power of utilising a journal 

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 103

Escaping Leadership Loneliness: The art of building powerful support networks 

SUMMARY SECTION 

Having operated as a CEO James is all too familiar with the loneliness and isolation of senior leadership. This episode is a sincere appeal to avoid loneliness and its corrosive impact, by building the appropriate support network to let you thrive in any and every leadership role you hold. James articulates a road map and key actions for higher levels of professional performance and fulfilment. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The three key reasons that all leaders succumb to loneliness at some point in leadership. 

How to stop romanticising self reliance.

The four core components of a support network that is applicable to every leadership role and that will yield higher levels of performance and fulfilment. 

How to audit that network and the steps you can take to start enhancing it immediately. 

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 93 - Inside The Lonely Leader: My story, my philosophy, my purpose

Episode 71 - Holiday illness: A warning sign you can’t ignore

Episode 54 - The power of rest: Unlocking high performance through recovery

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 102

Ten steps that made 2025 my best year ever

SUMMARY SECTION 

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast James Rule dissects the road map he built 12 months ago that has subsequently transformed his performance and facilitated unprecedented levels of fulfilment. He shares the ten steps he took and explains how you can adapt and implement them to achieve the results you dream of in your own professional role and personal life.

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 93 - Inside The Lonely Leader: My story, my philosophy, my purpose

Episode 97- The Comfort Trap: Why we stay stuck (and how to get unstuck)

Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 101

Leadership Essentials: Discipline - The Foundation of High Performance 

SUMMARY SECTION 

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores the leadership essential of discipline. Far from being rigid or punishing, discipline is the quiet force that drives consistency, focus, momentum, clarity and long-term high performance.

James breaks down the three biggest myths about discipline and reveals why disciplined leaders outperform their peers over the long term. Drawing on insights from Tom Brady, David Goggins, and Jocko Willink, he shows how the world’s top performers use discipline to stay focused, overcome obstacles and take complete ownership of their growth.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

This episode is packed with actionable strategies to strengthen your self-discipline, reduce distraction, eliminate comparison, reclaim your attention, and create daily habits that support exceptional leadership.

Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or simply striving to become a better version of yourself, this is essential listening for anyone committed to lasting high performance.

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 99 - Leadership Essentials: Productivity - Reclaiming focus in a distracted world 

Episode 93 - Inside The Lonely Leader: My story, my philosophy, my purpose

Episode 11- Leadership Essentials: Delegation

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

NEWSLETTER

Sign Up to The Leadership Accelerator Newsletter for advice, inspiration and ideas, you'll also receive James' Tackling Imposter Syndrome guide.

THIS SHOW WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY LONELY LEADER MEDIA 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Celebrating 100 Episodes. The wins, the work and what comes next

In celebration of this milestone episode James shares lessons learned from his podcasting journey over the last two years and how they relate to your growth and development. He profiles the most downloaded episodes and shares the chance to win one of five complimentary high performance executive coaching sessions with him. There is also a coveted place on The Leadership Accelerator, our flagship coaching programme available to be won.

OUR TOP DOWNLOADED EPISODES SO FAR

Episode 83 - Leadership Essentials: Approachability

Episode 7 - Maximising First Impressions

Episode 65 -Leadership Essentials: Consistency 

Episode 10 - Leadership Essentials: Authenticity 

Episode 11 - Leadership Essentials: Delegation 

Episode - 9 Warning signs of burnout and tips to prevent it

Episode 80 - Feedback culture: The secret weapon of high performing teams (Part 1: Giving feedback)

Episode 81 - Feedback culture: The secret weapon of high performing teams (Part 2: Receiving feedback)

Episode 57 - Lessons from my leadership journey 

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors. His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level. As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 99

Leadership Essentials: Productivity - Reclaiming focus in a distracted world

SUMMARY SECTION 

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores how society is sleep walking into the destruction of our productivity and associated fulfilment. He guides the listener through simple steps to identify the main disruptors of our productivity and shares a road map to diminish them and build new levels of professional and personal performance. You deserve to bring the best version of you to every role you take on. We hope this episode will help you to do exactly that.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• It takes at least 15 minutes to regain our concentration after every disruption.
• When we consider the level of disruption we experience on a daily basis are we ever really in deep concentration and realising our optimum performance?
• Curate the social media and news feeds that you consume with care. We cannot optimise our productivity if we have already disempowered our mindset and drained our energy with the online content we have consumed. 

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors. His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 48 - Leadership Essentials: Presence

Episode 37 - Recovery: The missing link for high performance 

Episode 18 - Reclaim control over digital distraction 

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 98

Leadership Essentials: Resilience - Creating strength that endures

SUMMARY

In this episode of The Lonely Leader Podcast, James Rule explores a leadership essential we all need in our professional role and personal life - resilience. Drawing from his personal journey and world leaders in sport, business, and the military, James unpacks what it truly means to lead with strength, adaptability, and grace under pressure.

Whether you’re navigating a professional setback, leading a team through uncertainty, or simply striving for sustainable success, this episode will help you create unshakeable resilience from the inside out.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

The three biggest misconceptions about resilience that hold leaders back.

How to build resilience not just for the crises, but for everyday high performance.

Eight actionable takeaways to help you strengthen your mindset, resilience and ability to lead through adversity.

Real world examples from J.K. Rowling, and Admiral James Stockdale.

“Resilience is not just for surviving the worst day of your life. It’s for thriving every day of your life.” – Dr. Rick Hansen

ABOUT THE HOST 

James is an experienced mentor, coach and thought leader who works with a range of clients from FTSE 100 companies, SME´s the NHS and wider public and not for profit sectors.

His twenty year career in elite sport initially as a professional rugby player but predominantly as a chief executive has given him an invaluable insight in managing the success, failures and pressures associated with leadership at the highest level.

As a high performance coach James specialises in enhancing resilience and leadership development. He is a passionate advocate of the notion that to find lasting fulfilment we need to take a holistic view of high performance. 

EPISODES TO CHECK OUT NEXT

Episode 93 - Inside The Lonely Leader: My story, my philosophy, my purpose

Episode 71 - Holiday Illness: A warning sign you cannot ignore 

Episode 54 - The Power of Rest: Unlocking high performance through recovery

CONNECT & CONTACT 

Website www.thelonelyleader.co.uk

The Lonely Leader's LinkedIn

James' LinkedIn

Instagram

Email: [email protected] 

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.