Episode 54

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Published on:

23rd Oct 2025

54. When High-Performers Go Rogue — How Role Clarity Reins Them In

When High-Performers Go Rogue: How Role Clarity Reins Them In

Episode 4 in the series Execution That Scales (KeyneLink Advantage)

Strong personalities can make or break a company. They’re talented, driven, and confident — but when expectations aren’t clear, that same energy can fracture teams and derail execution.

In this episode, James Mayhew explains why role clarity is the foundation of a high-performing culture and how KeyneLink Performance Agreements keep freedom from turning into chaos. Drawing from Wharton and Frontiers in Psychology research, James reveals how systems that combine clarity, dialogue, and accountability help founders harness their best people without losing alignment.

You’ll Learn:

  • Why strong personalities need structure as much as freedom
  • What research says about maverick and proactive behaviors
  • How role clarity turns independence into aligned execution
  • Why KeyneLink Performance Agreements and Core Behaviors keep high-performers on track
  • How clarity connects culture and performance into one system

Reflection Questions:

  1. Who on your team is brilliant but misaligned?
  2. What conversation would bring them — and maybe you — back into clarity?

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About the Podcast

Leadership in 5
Lead better in 5 minutes. Tactical insights for founders who want clarity, momentum, and a business that doesn’t break them.
Execution without excuses. Five minutes. One insight. No wasted words.

Leadership In 5 is the podcast for founders and executives who are done with vague advice and tired of hearing “just communicate better” like it’s a strategy.

I’m James Mayhew. I’ve served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and made the thousand-plus execution mistakes so you don’t have to. I work with high-growth companies that are scaling fast — but who still want to lead with values, not ego.

Each episode delivers one sharp insight you can act on. You’ll hear practical guidance built on clarity, not charisma. No theory. No fluff. Just real leadership tools that work in real companies with real people.

This show exists to help you stop over-functioning, stop repeating yourself, and stop holding it all together just to keep the wheels turning. You deserve a business that works without breaking you.

The show is grounded in The IDP Way, a leadership system built on Integrity, Dignity, and Prosperity. If those words resonate, you’ll feel at home here. And if they challenge you? Even better. Growth starts with honesty.

Want a free companion to the show?
Download "99+ Questions That Create Clarity" at NextQuestionGuide.com
It’s the simplest tool I know to start shifting your team from confused to confident.

Thanks for listening... and for leading.

About your host

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James Mayhew

James R. Mayhew is a leadership coach and strategic advisor to founders and executives building fast-growth, values-driven companies. He created the IDP Way, a leadership system grounded in integrity, dignity, and prosperity. James helps leaders align people, purpose, and performance so their business can scale with clarity, not chaos.

He’s served as Chief Culture Officer, coached hundreds of leaders, and built execution systems that actually work.