Maxwell Leadership Executive Podcast: Episode #391
Title: How to Create Momentum with Don Yaeger (Part 2)
Date: April 9, 2026
Host(s): Perry Holly, Chris Cody
Guest: Don Yaeger (bestselling author, speaker, and leadership expert)
Main Theme & Purpose
This episode delves into how leaders can intentionally create and sustain momentum within their organizations. Don Yaeger, continuing from the previous episode, shares insights from his latest book, The New Science of Momentum, introducing a model applicable not just in sports, but in business and leadership contexts. The conversation is practical, focused on the mindset, behaviors, and structures leaders need to foster momentum – and what to do when it inevitably wanes.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Overview of Don Yaeger’s Momentum Model
- Model vs. Formula:
- "It's a model, not a formula...A formula is very plug and play...A model says this gives you your greatest chance at becoming successful." — Don Yaeger [04:19]
- The model is based on real-world insights from high performers across multiple fields and is now in its seventh version.
- Structure:
- Two “wheels” (before and after the spark of momentum) with the “spark” at the center.
- Leadership sits across the top—“because everything rises and falls on leadership.” [06:37]
2. Foundations: What Happens Before the Spark
- Recruitment:
- Hire people who not only want to win but also celebrate others’ wins.
- "If you can recruit the right people, it helps your culture stay intact." — Don Yaeger [07:43]
- Culture:
- Build a supportive, engaging, and positively reinforcing environment.
- Preparation:
- Regularly exercise “what if” scenarios (“what if lunches”) to prepare the team for unexpected opportunities or crises.
- "You are beginning the process of believing, yes, external events are going to affect us. What's my eye on the external event?" — Don Yaeger [14:47]
Memorable Practice
- Host storyboarding/brainstorming sessions to imagine potential sparks and rehearse responses.
3. The Spark: Recognizing and Acting When Opportunity Arises
- Most people wait for a spark; the best are ready for it.
- Leaders need to equip their teams to recognize, seize, and amplify sparks.
4. After the Spark: Leadership Communication, Climate, Belief, and Mindset
- Leader Communication:
- The leader reinforces, “This is the moment we prepared for.”
- "Leaders begin that process of fueling belief and mindset by reminding [the team] that they've done the work." — Don Yaeger [09:05]
- Team Climate vs. Culture:
- Culture is enduring ("a forever product").
- Climate is transient and can change rapidly—it’s the leader’s job to keep a finger on the pulse.
- "You can't assume that everybody's happy. You have to know..." — Don Yaeger [12:09]
Example
5. Feedback Loop: Learning & Adapting
- Feedback as a Constant:
- Momentum is not permanent; outcomes must trigger reflection and learning.
- Example from the Blue Angels: Rank comes off, all feedback is heard, and lessons are drawn immediately after performances or even in-process.
- "Feedback is the breakfast of champions, right? And so...in that moment, it could be, literally could be while everything is in process, hey, let's take a second and let's look at what we've done, what's worked, what's not, why not and how can we...amplify it." — Don Yaeger [19:16]
- Feedback Loop Visual:
- In the model, arrows link outcomes back to the preparation stage for the next spark. [16:59]
6. Transference of Energy: The Core Leadership Competency
- The leader’s attitude and emotional state set the tone for the entire group.
- "If the leader goes, oh, my God, this is the worst day ever, right? What does everybody else go, oh, my God, this is the worst day ever." — Don Yaeger [20:59]
- Calmness is contagious. Leaders must model resilience and belief regardless of circumstances.
- "You can't tell if [Kurt Signetti's] winning or he's going through a colonoscopy. He looks like he's going through a colonoscopy all the time, actually. But that's the deal, right? He has understood...they feed off of his energy." — Don Yaeger [21:28]
7. Team Over Self: Culture, Recruitment, and the A-Player Dilemma
- Teams succeed when nearly all members value team wins over personal glory.
- "For a team to seize momentum, it requires that nearly all team members are willing to do what's best for the team. Team success is a much higher priority than individual success." — Don Yaeger quoting his own book [22:53]
- Leaders must screen for these traits in hiring and reward team-centric behaviors.
8. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker |
|-----------|-------|---------|
| 04:19 | "It's a model, not a formula...A formula is very plug and play...A model says this gives you your greatest chance at becoming successful." | Don Yaeger |
| 07:43 | "If you can recruit the right people, it helps your culture stay intact." | Don Yaeger |
| 10:18 | "She said we were profitable by probably about the number of coins you could find in your couch...But we celebrated like crazy." (on Bose turnaround) | Don Yaeger |
| 09:05 | "Leaders begin that process of fueling belief and mindset by reminding [the team] that they've done the work." | Don Yaeger |
| 12:09 | "You can't assume that everybody's happy. You have to know..." (on team climate) | Don Yaeger |
| 14:47 | "You are beginning the process of believing, yes, external events are going to affect us. What's my eye on the external event?" | Don Yaeger |
| 19:16 | "Feedback is the breakfast of champions, right?...let's go to work on feedback." (on Blue Angels practice) | Don Yaeger |
| 20:59 | "If the leader goes, oh, my God, this is the worst day ever, right? What does everybody else go, oh, my God, this is the worst day ever." | Don Yaeger |
| 21:28 | "You can't tell if [Coach Signetti] is winning or he's going through a colonoscopy...they feed off of his energy." | Don Yaeger |
| 22:53 | "For a team to seize momentum, it requires that nearly all team members are willing to do what's best for the team. Team success is a much higher priority than individual success." | Don Yaeger |
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [01:27] – Recap of Part 1 & Setup of Don Yaeger’s model
- [04:04] – How the model was developed and why visual models matter
- [06:37] – The two wheels of the model: Before & After the Spark; Leadership’s role
- [07:43] – Culture building and recruiting the right people
- [09:05] – After the spark: Leader communication and team belief/mindset
- [10:18] – Bose story & the value of celebrating small wins
- [12:09] – Difference between team culture and team climate
- [14:47] – Preparation techniques (e.g., "what if" lunches and scenario planning)
- [18:23] – Feedback loop practices — Blue Angels example
- [20:59] – Transference of energy and calm leadership
- [22:53] – A-Players, team over self, and the importance of selfless culture
Additional Resources & Takeaways
- The podcast show notes include a downloadable version of Don Yaeger’s momentum model: maxwellleadership.com/executivepodcast [13:32]
- Don’s forthcoming book: The Business of Storytelling (September 15, 2026) and exclusive pre-release “Circle of Storytellers.”
- Leaders must prepare for momentum, recognize it, harvest it, and be ready to restart when it fades.
"Momentum is going to exist in your industry...if it's not yours at this moment, there are things you should do...just be ready to go start the next one." — Don Yaeger [26:57]
Conclusion
This episode equips leaders with a vivid, actionable model for understanding, creating, and maintaining momentum within teams. It emphasizes the irreplaceable impact of leadership in shaping culture, recruiting well, preparing rigorously, communicating clearly, maintaining team climate, facilitating constant feedback, and—above all—modeling the energy, focus, and humility needed for sustained team excellence.
For more insights, resources, and the downloadable momentum model: maxwellleadership.com/executivepodcast.