The Forged Leader

06/08/2026

Think your leadership style works on everyone, everywhere?
Think again.

I’m coming to you from beautiful Villa de Leyva in Colombia, and today we are busting a massive myth: the idea that "good leadership" is universal.

It's not. What works beautifully in your home office can fall completely flat when you're working across cultural boundaries.

Here is what most leaders get wrong:
- Culture filters everything. In Colombia, for example, leadership is a unique blend of hierarchical structure and deep relational warmth. If you try to force a purely flat, ultra-casual style, you miss both.
- EQ does not equal CQ. You might have incredibly high emotional intelligence, but that doesn’t mean you understand cultural nuances. Body language, vocal inflections, and reactions don't translate copy-paste.
- Silence isn't disengagement. In Western cultures, we hate silence. We rush to fill the void. But in many cultures, silence is a sign of deep respect, processing, and active listening.

If you feel like you aren't getting the right engagement from your people right now, whether they are across the globe or just across the office, it's time to stop and listen.

Stop defending yourself. Stop arguing. Just listen and learn.
Have you ever had to completely change your leadership style to connect with a team member? Let me know in the comments below!

Or, if you want to build a structure that helps you truly understand and engage your team, DM me LISTEN and let's chat.

Watch the latest episode below:
https://youtu.be/DXz89voyKWc

In this episode of Monday MythCheck, Jono Brake broadcasts from the...

06/01/2026

I was hiking up near Villa de Leyva, with a new mate.

Altitude was hitting me hard. I’m unfit, and my lungs were burning. My mate could have lapped me five times.

But we took our time, paced ourselves, and made it to the top.

It got me thinking about motivation.

Back when I used to ride mountain bikes, I’d ask people, "How far is left?" They’d always say, "Oh, not far!" They hid the actual distance because they were terrified I’d get demotivated if I knew the truth.

But they had it completely backward.

I’m motivated by the endpoint. Most high-performers are. We need to see the goal to pace ourselves and mentally commit.

Think about your business or your team right now.

Are you hiding the endpoint? Maybe because you’re worried they’ll think it’s too hard? Or worse, maybe you don't even know what the endpoint is yourself?

When you hide the destination, you kill the drive.

Stop telling them "we’re not there yet" and start showing them exactly where the finish line is.

What motivates you more: knowing the exact distance left, or taking it one turn at a time?

Watch the latest episode below:
https://youtu.be/5rRzkpBgyQk

In this episode of Monday Myth Check, we're climbing high, specifically, 2,400 meters above sea level near Villa de León. Hiking at altitude without enough w...

05/25/2026

"When my ship comes in..."

We all say versions of it.

"I’ll make that move when things settle down."
"When the budget improves."
"When the right opportunity shows up."
"When things calm down."

The problem is, leadership doesn’t happen in perfect conditions.
Living up in the mountains of North Carolina, I ride mountain bikes. And if I waited for the weather to be perfect, I’d miss a lot of rides.

Winter gets cold. Summer gets hot.

So I adapt.

Early mornings in the summer. Midday rides in the winter.

Leadership works the same way.

Because waiting can sometimes look wise on the surface. But underneath, it can become an avoidance strategy.

Fear of failure.
Fear of rejection.
Sometimes even fear of success.

As leaders, our job isn’t to wait for ideal conditions.

Our job is to help create them.

So here’s something to think about today:
What’s one thing you’ve been pushing down the road, hoping the timing will somehow become perfect?

Watch the new Monday Myth Check below 👇
https://youtu.be/IWnfDG71raQ

Are you waiting for the perfect client, the right budget, or a flaw...

05/18/2026

Stop blaming the cash.

Most people have been programmed to think that money is the root of all evil. But let’s call that out for what it is: a myth.

In the small business world, I see the opposite every day. I see owners who treat their teams like family. I see leaders who genuinely want to solve problems and make an impact.

Money isn’t the villain here. It’s an indicator. It tells you if you’re doing the right things, serving people well, and keeping your costs in check.

When you have a purpose-driven business, money becomes the fuel. It lets you:
- Reinvest in your team’s growth.
- Give your clients the BEST, not just the "next" thing.
- Create personal wealth that empowers your community.

The problem starts when money becomes the only goal. Does that make sense?

If you’re ready to build a business that matters AND makes a profit, we should talk.

Watch the new episode below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oj5eVdaogV4

05/11/2026

There’s a belief that shows up more often than you’d think:
Business is the problem.

That somehow, if something is profitable, it must be questionable.

But I’ve had the chance to sit with businesses doing something very different, using business as a force for good in the world.
✔ Creating jobs.
✔ Building opportunity.
✔ Supporting real change in places that need it most.

So maybe the issue isn’t business itself.
Maybe it’s what we choose to build with it.

What’s your view on this?
Watch the new episode below:
👉 https://youtu.be/GDOtugXi1Ew

Enjoy the journey.

Is your business just making money, or is it making a difference? In this episode of Monday Myth Check, Jono Brake broadcasts from a Freedom Business Allia...

05/04/2026

Is your "need for speed" actually hurting your team? 🏎️💨

In this week's Monday Myth Check, Jono Brake is at Mrs. Macquarie's Chair in Sydney talking about why the best leadership can’t be rushed.

Think about the Sydney Opera House behind him. It’s a global landmark now, but it took over a decade of iterations, mistakes, and even a total redo of the interior to get it right.

If you're constantly pushing for "faster, faster, faster," you might be missing:
✅ Clarity of process.
✅ Team celebration and rest.
✅ Systems that actually scale.

Leadership isn't a sprint; it's a journey. Take a breath, look at the big picture, and build something that lasts.

What’s one area of your business where you need to slow down to go further? Let us know below! 👇

Watch this week's episode here: https://youtu.be/tBwbjMxRY9Y

Things Need to Happen Quickly | Monday Myth Check

04/27/2026

DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU ARE CARRYING EVERYTHING AS A LEADER? 🌉

Ever feel like your leadership role is just one giant weight on your shoulders?

You’re making every decision and feeling all the stress while your team seems stuck in neutral.

Jono Brake was on-location at Sydney Harbour to bust a massive leadership myth: The idea that you have to carry it all yourself.

Think about the Harbour Bridge. It doesn't stay up because of one single rivet or beam; it stays up because of a series of foundations and structures working in harmony.

If this is you and you’re stuck in "doing" mode instead of "leading" mode, you risk:
- Disempowering your team.
- Increasing your turnover rates.
- Stalling your profitability.

It’s time to release the pressure. Learn to hand off, set clear expectations, and watch your business thrive.

How are you empowering your team this week?
Let’s talk below! 👇

What this week's episode here: https://youtu.be/q8Su_73jGZU

As a Leader I Have to Carry All the Weight Myself | Monday Myth Check

04/20/2026

Is cruising actually putting your business at risk? 🚲

We often celebrate the seasons where business feels easy—where we’re profitable, growing, and catching the wind in our faces. Jono Brake is back with a Monday Myth Check to remind us that "cruising" isn't a reason to switch off.

Just like flying down a trail, the faster you move, the less room you have for error.

When we stop paying attention to the rocks and trees (or our cash flow and team culture), that’s when the "slide out" happens.

Check-in time: If your business is currently in a "downhill cruise" run, what's one fundamental you might have stopped watching closely?

Let’s talk about it in the comments! 👇

Watch this week's episode here: https://youtu.be/AuT5If8ps_Q

Crusing Is Better Than Climbing | Monday Myth Check

04/13/2026

Stop playing it safe with your coaching! 🛑

Many leaders think they need to keep coaching sessions "light" to stay liked, but that’s a myth that actually holds your team back.

In this week's Monday Myth Check, Jono dives into why discomfort is actually a requirement for results.

In this video, you’ll learn:
● Why "Cozy Cultures" kill professional growth.
● How to use "Dissonance" to drive better outcomes.
● The secret ingredient that makes tough conversations work (Hint: It’s all about CARE).

Real coaching involves bringing out the things people might not want to hear—but need to hear—to reach their full potential.

Watch now: https://youtu.be/rWwum1GHDjY
.and tell us: What is the hardest part for you when it comes to having "tough" conversations? 👇

The "comfortable" coach is often the one getting the fewest results.Welcome back to another Monday Myth Check with Jono Brake from The Forge Leader. In this ...

04/06/2026

Stop waiting for a "scheduled session" to start growing your team.
Is coaching a "calendar event" or a "culture" in your business? 🗓️

In this episode recorded during his trip to the Philippines, Jono Brake busts the myth that coaching is reserved for formal meetings. When we save coaching for specific times, we risk turning it into a negative experience focused on "fixing" people rather than empowering them.

Coaching should be life-giving!

It is a discipline of helping someone—a team member, a friend, or a colleague—unpack a journey that allows them to consistently step forward.

Try this today: Next time a team member comes to you unexpectedly, don't just jump to "correction mode." Ask a question that helps them explore their options and find the way forward.

Watch the myth check here: https://youtu.be/gYF-IBIDLIg

How are you bringing coaching into your daily routine? Let’s chat in the comments! 👇