🎙 This Week’s Episode on Working on Purpose
Guests: Don Yaeger & Retired General Bernard Banks
Book: The New Science of Momentum
A Conversation That Resonated
One of the things I love most about hosting Working on Purpose is when the dialogue goes beyond thought leadership and becomes genuine human connection.
That’s exactly what happened in this episode with Don Yaeger and retired General Bernard Banks. We explored their brilliant new research on momentum, but what struck me most was the energy—stories, laughter, passion—that made the conversation flow seamlessly from sports to business to human connection.
It was one of those interviews that left me energized long after we signed off. I think you’ll feel that spark, too.
Why Momentum Matters
Picture this: your team just landed a breakthrough client. The room buzzes, high-fives fly—and then, weeks later, the excitement fizzles. What happened?
Great leaders don’t let sparks die out. They cultivate momentum—a force that magnifies energy, belief, and performance across the team. Momentum makes organizations feel unstoppable. And it isn’t luck. It can be sparked, sustained, and scaled.
That’s exactly what Don and Bernie explore in The New Science of Momentum—and it’s the very heartbeat of our work at Gusto, Now! We help leaders create cultures where momentum thrives—by fostering purpose, belonging, accountability, and joy.
From Flow to Momentum
Psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi introduced us to flow—that state when you’re so immersed in meaningful work that time seems to disappear.
In one of his last interviews before passing, he told Don something profound:
“Flow is what happens when an individual is in sync with their work. Momentum is when a group gets into flow together.”
Momentum is collective flow. It’s when sparks spread, belief builds, and a group begins to move as one.
Why It Spreads: The Science of Contagion
Why does momentum ripple so quickly through some teams?
Mirror neurons—our brain’s empathy messengers—play a big role. When one person succeeds, we can actually feel it as if it were our own. That contagious belief turns individual sparks into team surges.
Leaders who understand this don’t just celebrate wins. They shape the culture so one person’s spark becomes everyone’s surge.
Case Studies: Momentum in Action
Microsoft: From “Know-It-All” to “Learn-It-All”
When Satya Nadella took the helm in 2014, Microsoft was stagnant. By shifting from a brittle “know-it-all” culture to a humble “learn-it-all” one, Nadella reignited curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. That cultural spark grew into massive momentum—fueling Microsoft’s rise from $300B in value to over $3T.
Golden State Warriors: Turning “I” into “We”
Coach Steve Kerr transformed the Warriors not with tactics, but with culture. By embedding joy, compassion, mindfulness, and fierce competition into daily practice, he built trust, belonging, and performance. The result? Championships, record-breaking seasons, and the NBA’s most valuable franchise.
Momentum isn’t just about performance—it’s about culture.
Recognizing the Spark
Every organization encounters sparks—a small win, a bold idea, or a reframed setback. The danger is missing them.
That’s where leaders come in. They name the spark, tell the story, and invite the team to believe in it. Stories—not statistics—are what build momentum.
The Leader’s Playbook
Momentum doesn’t happen by chance. Leaders can:
- Prepare culture – through purpose, belonging, and mattering.
- Spot the sparks – and narrate them.
- Fan the flames – with belief and feedback.
- Repeat the loop – turning sparks into sustained surges.
Reflection & Action
Where’s the spark in your team today—and how can you turn it into momentum this week?
Action Step: Identify one recent spark—a small win, a shift in mindset, even a challenge reframed. Retell that story in your next team meeting to reinforce belief and fuel momentum.
Watch & Listen
🎥 Watch the full episode HERE
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