The John Eades Podcast Bring Your Own Pencil: The Discipline Leaders Forget First
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Jan 28, 2026 Griffin Brand, a former military officer and author, brings lessons on preparation and adaptability. Dan Casey, a coach and author, brings football strategy and leadership systems. They explore why preparation signals respect. They compare pencil versus pen leadership. They discuss standards without micromanaging and the role of constraints and perseverance in building high-performing teams.
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The Origin Of "Bring Your Own Pencil"
- Jack "Hacksaw" Reynolds brought a stack of pencils and a projector to training camp to take notes and study film obsessively.
- Ronnie Lott asked to borrow a pencil and Hacksaw snarled, “bring your own pencil,” which Lott never forgot and became a Hall of Famer.
Preparation As A Respect Signal
- Preparation signals respect and sets a standard of performance that leaders model for their teams.
- Dan Casey and Griffin Brand argue standards are caught more than taught and are reinforced by hiring the right people.
Use Constraints To Unlock Creativity
- Work within constraints to force creativity and adapt systems to the people you have.
- Griffin Brand cites Dr. Seuss and Bill Walsh to show constraints often unlock superior solutions.
