In this episode of the DevReady Podcast, host Andrew Romeo welcomes Craig Johns, a 10x National Sport Champion; International Coach; CEO & Managing Partner at Speakers Institute Corporate and; a High Performance Leadership Expert at NRG2Perform. Craig also hosts “Inspiring Great Leaders Podcast”. In this episode, Andrew sits with Craig to discuss his journey from a rural upbringing in New Zealand to a dynamic career in sports, business, and coaching. Craig shares how growing up on a farm instilled in him resilience, self-reliance, and a strong work ethic—qualities that propelled him to represent New Zealand in field hockey and triathlon, even while facing serious heart issues. Driven by a lifelong curiosity to understand why people aren’t “healthier, happier, and hungrier for success,” Craig has dedicated his career to coaching and leadership development, providing valuable insights into the art of leading and motivating others. In this episode, Craig shares powerful insights on leading with purpose, building resilience, and creating a culture of continuous improvement.
Craig talks about his journey from a rural upbringing in New Zealand to an accomplished career in sports, business, and coaching. Growing up on a farm taught Craig resilience, self-reliance, and the value of hard work—qualities that he carried into his athletic pursuits, where he represented New Zealand in both field hockey and triathlon despite serious heart issues. His passion for improvement and a lifelong drive to answer the question, “Why aren’t people healthier, happier, and hungrier for success?” has fueled his career in coaching and leadership development. Craig shares insights on what it takes to lead and succeed, even in the face of adversity, and how he continues to stay motivated daily.
Craig discusses the importance of fostering a “hungry for success” mindset, especially in high-performance coaching. He emphasises that growth often requires discomfort and constructive agitation to avoid complacency, even among talented individuals. By asking specific questions and pushing internal boundaries, leaders can inspire people to exceed their own perceived limits. Craig explains that true development happens when individuals feel a bit uncomfortable, yet supported, as they break old habits and form new, stronger pathways. This approach allows people to find renewed motivation and continually strive for excellence.
Craig dives into the essence of resilience, high performance, and the critical role of having supportive yet challenging mentors. He underscores that truly successful individuals are those surrounded by the right people who push them to exceed their own limits. Craig highlights the importance of “changing the game” in any pursuit, explaining that merely performing well isn’t enough—high performance requires going above and beyond. Using examples from elite sports, such as the All-Blacks rugby team and his own experience with a record-setting hockey team, he emphasises the power of vision, setting high standards, and establishing minimum acceptable benchmarks for success.
Craig emphasises the importance of a “negative vision,” a minimum standard that a team will not fall below, as essential for maintaining high performance. By establishing this baseline alongside a positive vision, teams are less likely to revert to comfortable or complacent behaviors when challenges arise. Craig draws from sports examples, such as the All-Blacks rugby team, to illustrate this idea, and also stresses the importance of individual alignment to the team’s vision. Leaders, he notes, must communicate a vision in relatable and visual terms so that team members can truly connect and contribute to the collective goal. Ultimately, Craig believes all leaders are change managers, tasked with influencing and guiding their teams toward a shared future vision.
Craig explains the three essential components of successful change leadership: urgency, clarity, and visualisation. He stresses that urgency motivates immediate action, as without it, people delay or ignore change. Clarity ensures the message is easily understood; without it, complex communication creates mental barriers, causing disengagement. Visualisation helps people see the future state of the change, making them more likely to believe in and follow it. Effective leaders use storytelling to vividly illustrate the future, creating compelling mental images that inspire action.
Craig shares valuable insights on storytelling and personal growth in leadership. He emphasises the importance of consistent practice and coaching to master storytelling, as well as the need to visualise change and connect emotionally to drive impactful transformation. Craig also discusses his journey in podcasting, detailing how his show, Inspiring Great Leaders, explores diverse, inspiring stories from champions, innovators, and leaders worldwide. He finds joy in uncovering the extraordinary in everyday people, highlighting that each person’s unique experiences and challenges hold valuable lessons for others.
Topics Covered
- Craig Johns’ journey and background
- The “hungry for success” mindset
- The role of discomfort in growth
- Resilience and high-performance leadership
- Changing the game in leadership
- The importance of “negative vision” in teams
- The three essential components of change leadership
- The power of storytelling in leadership
- Craig Johns’ podcasting journey
Important Time Stamps
- Driven by Passion: Craig Johns’ Journey from Athlete to Leadership Coach (0:07 – 6:29)
- Why Growth Requires a Little Discomfort – Insights from Craig Johns (6:30 – 11:54)
- Game-Changers vs. Performers: Craig Johns on Achieving High Performance (11:55 – 18:49)
- Change Management 101: Craig Johns on Inspiring Teams to Own the Vision (18:50 – 25:48)
- Urgency + Clarity + Vision = Real Change! (25:50 – 29:31)
- Why Everyone Has an Extraordinary Story – Insights from Craig Johns (29:32 – 33:04)
Useful Links
Speakers Institute Corporate | LinkedIn
