We’ve all seen it: a team that can’t seem to fail. Every project they touch turns to gold, and even their mistakes are quickly forgotten. On the flip side, we’ve seen teams that are stuck in the mud—where every meeting is a struggle and every goal feels out of reach.
The difference? Momentum.
In John Maxwell’s The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership, the Law of the Big Mo. It’s the secret sauce that makes leaders look better than they actually are and makes obstacles look smaller than they really are.
The Truths of the “Big Mo”
Maxwell highlights a few key realities about momentum that every leader needs to understand:
- Momentum is the Great Exaggerator: When you have momentum, your successes are amplified. When you don’t, your failures are all anyone can see.
- Momentum Starts with the Leader: You cannot give what you do not have. If the leader isn’t excited and moving, the team won’t be either.
- It’s Easier to Steer Than to Start: Think of a massive ship. When it’s at a standstill, it takes an incredible amount of energy just to move an inch. Once it’s cruising, you can change direction with a relatively small adjustment.
Is Your Momentum Stalling? (A Quick Self-Assessment)
How “fast” is your organization currently moving? Rank yourself on a scale of 1–5 (1 being “not at all” and 5 being “consistently”) for the following statements:
- [ ] Proactivity: My team is focused on future opportunities rather than just “putting out fires.”
- [ ] Morale & Energy: The atmosphere in the office (or on Zoom) feels energized and forward-thinking.
- [ ] Problem Solving: We treat setbacks as “speed bumps” rather than “brick walls.”
- [ ] Belief: My team genuinely believes that our next big win is just around the corner.
- [ ] Innovation: We are regularly trying new things rather than sticking to the “safe” status quo.
Your Score:
- 20-25: You’ve got the Big Mo! Now, how do you sustain it?
- 15-19: You have “mini-mo.” You’re moving, but you’re not yet unstoppable.
- Under 15: You’re at a standstill. We need to find your spark.
Why the Big Mo Disappears
Momentum doesn’t usually die in a single crash; it leaks out slowly. As a coach, I see three main “momentum killers”:
- Over-Analysis: “Analysis paralysis” is the fastest way to kill a moving project.
- Lack of Celebration: If you don’t celebrate the small wins from the Law of Victory, the team loses the “feeling” of winning.
- Settling for “Good Enough”: Comfort is the enemy of momentum.
How We Build Your Momentum Together
Creating momentum from a dead stop is the hardest work a leader will ever do. That’s why you shouldn’t do it alone. Here is how I help my coaching clients get the Big Mo on their side:
- The “Small Win” Strategy: We identify low-hanging fruit to get some quick wins on the board, proving to your team that victory is possible.
- Energy Audits: We look at your leadership style. Are you fueling the momentum, or are you accidentally the bottleneck?
- Systems of Success: We build the habits and workflows that keep the ship moving even when the initial excitement fades.
“Momentum is like a magnifying glass; it makes things look bigger than they really are.” — John Maxwell
Ready to Get Moving?
If you’re tired of the “start-stop-restart” cycle in your leadership, let’s get some real speed behind your goals.
- The Momentum Kickstart (90-Minute Intensive): We’ll find one area where you’re stuck and create a high-impact plan to get moving in the next 48 hours.
- The Velocity Program (3-Month Coaching): We focus on sustaining growth, removing bottlenecks, and turning your team into an unstoppable force.
- The Strategic Partner Retainer: I help you navigate the “steering” phase of high-growth leadership so you don’t lose speed as you scale.
Click HERE to schedule your Momentum Discovery Call.
Coming Up Next…
Momentum is great, but if you’re moving fast in the wrong direction, you’re just getting lost quicker. In our next post, we’ll look at Law #17: The Law of Priorities, and learn how to ensure your energy is spent on what actually matters.
