Podcast Summary

Episode Overview

Podcast: The Duct Tape Marketing Podcast
Host: John Jantsch
Guest: Don Yaeger, New York Times bestselling author of "The New Science of Momentum"
Episode Title: How to Turn a Moment Into Momentum
Release Date: October 9, 2025

This episode centers on the concept of “momentum” in business and leadership—not as a fleeting, lucky streak, but as a science. Don Yaeger shares practical insights into how leaders and organizations can actively create, recognize, and sustain momentum. Drawing from his new book and interviews with world-class athletes, coaches, military leaders, and business executives, Don aims to distill actionable strategies that transform moments of opportunity into enduring progress.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Rethinking Momentum: From Cliché to Science

• Defining the Problem ([01:21])

  • Don recounts the famous Super Bowl LI comeback by the Patriots as a moment where momentum visibly shifted.
  • “Most of America turned the game off because it was over. …And pretty soon, as we all know, New England created the greatest comeback in the history of the Super Bowl.” (Don Yaeger, [01:39])
  • Inspired by the post-game comment, “New England has redefined the word momentum tonight,” Don asks: Can momentum be engineered, or must we wait for luck?

• Research Journey ([01:50]-[02:56])

  • Sparked by curiosity, Don initiated an eight-year research project interviewing top leaders across sports, politics, military, and business to answer: “How do you turn a moment into momentum?”

2. Engineering, Not Waiting for Momentum

• The Pre-Spark Framework ([03:16])

  • Momentum is not spontaneous; it often starts with “an entire framework of effort” before the visible spark.
  • Key elements:
    • Culture: Build a team that isn’t internally competitive to a fault—people must cheer for each other.
    • Recruiting: Select for both talent and supportive mindset.
    • Preparation: Prepare mentally so sparks can be recognized and captured.
  • “You can treat [a small moment] as if it’s large. …You can create momentum where other people might be sitting back and wondering, when’s my spark going to happen?” (Don Yaeger, [04:13])

• Training Awareness ([04:50]-[06:38])

  • Highlights Coach Buzz Williams’ unconventional training: Players analyze moments in various sports—regardless of their own—to pinpoint momentum shifts and explain their reasoning.
  • Business parallel: Regular “What if?” scenario planning builds readiness for unpredictable opportunities or challenges.

3. Common Momentum Killers

• Missing the Spark ([07:33])

  • Failure to recognize and act on opportunity is a chief way momentum is lost.
  • “They’re called sparks for a reason. …if you don’t fan the flames…the moment’s gone.” (Don Yaeger, [08:07])
  • Selfishness and inability to celebrate others’ success sap momentum—negative “mirror neurons” infect the team’s spirit ([08:44]).

• Examples from Business History ([09:54]-[10:38])

  • Reluctance to adapt (e.g., newspapers dismissing early signs of digital disruption) can squander obvious opportunities, even when it means sacrificing short-term gains.

4. Measuring & Sustaining Momentum

• Intangible Metrics ([12:21])

  • Unlike revenue or other hard stats, momentum is “a state of mind”—a collective belief system.
  • “If you’re the leader and you’re the only one that believes, you don’t really have momentum…” (Don Yaeger, [12:44])
  • The recruiting anecdote: “Pick people who can be happy when somebody else does well just as they would be…for themselves.” (Don Yaeger, [15:07])

• The “Pippen” Example ([13:57])

  • Scottie Pippen, finally “Batman” after Michael Jordan’s retirement, refuses to play in a crucial playoff moment not designed for him; his selfishness lost teammates’ trust and became a byword (“pulling a Pippen”) for self-centered play.

• Scoreboards in Business ([15:29]-[16:17])

  • Even without public win/loss tallies, teams and organizations know internally when momentum is lost to competitors.

5. Broad Relevance Across Fields

• Momentum Studied in Sports, Military, Politics, and Business ([16:54])
  • Don's book draws on high-level interviews in each sector, revealing common momentum principles across disparate domains, from corporate turnarounds to political campaigns.

6. Actionable Advice: Creating a Momentum-Building Culture

• Speak the Truth Weekly ([18:16])
  • Honest assessment is non-negotiable: “One of the most important things you have to do every week is speak truth into the situation so that you can then create a vision that others believe is possible.” (Don Yaeger, [18:33])
  • Leaders must own gaps or difficulties, resisting the urge to sugarcoat or posture—false optimism undercuts credibility and belief.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Momentum…is a belief system at its core. That’s what momentum really is.” (Don Yaeger, [12:23])
• “If I feel like your success is to my detriment, then the mirror neurons in the room are actually quite negative…and suddenly the vibe changes and that’s a way to kill momentum.” (Don Yaeger, [09:04])
• “Pick people who can be happy when somebody else does well just as they would be…for themselves.” (Don Yaeger, [15:07])
• “One of the most important things you have to do every week is speak truth into the situation so that you can then create a vision that others believe is possible.” (Don Yaeger, [18:33])
• On leadership transparency: “Very hard. …The alternative is an absolute loser.” (Don Yaeger, [19:25])

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:21 | Don’s Super Bowl inspiration and the genesis of the momentum research | | 03:16 | The engineered framework for momentum (“pre-spark” preparation) | | 04:50 | Training teams to recognize momentum through scenario analysis and “What if?” planning| | 07:33 | Common mistakes that kill momentum | | 12:21 | Why momentum is a belief system and how to “measure” collective buy-in | | 13:57 | “Pulling a Pippen”—the Scottie Pippen playoff story and lessons on selfishness | | 15:29 | How companies track their internal scoreboards and sense lost momentum | | 16:54 | Momentum across domains: sports, military, politics, business | | 18:16 | The cultural habit Don recommends: commit to candor and honest vision |

Actionable Takeaways

• Momentum requires culture, collaboration, and preparation—not luck.
• Leaders must intentionally create teams that celebrate shared wins, not individual glory.
• Momentum is as much about a team’s collective belief as about external victories; leaders should measure enthusiasm and shared ownership, not just KPIs.
• Honest, regular communication drives cultural buy-in and readiness to capitalize on opportunity.

Further Resources

• Don Yaeger’s new book: "The New Science of Momentum"
• Don’s podcast: Corporate Competitor
• Don’s website: donyaeger.com (plus all various spellings)

This summary captures the spirit, key arguments, and memorable advice from Don Yaeger’s appearance, making it valuable for listeners and leaders aiming to turn pivotal moments into lasting organizational momentum.