156: Course Correction—When Your Plan Derails in Q2
How Great Leadership Teams Regain Focus and Momentum
The Common Pitfalls: Why Q2 Often Feels Like a Slump
You had a great Q1. The team was energized. The plan was crisp. So why does Q2 often feel like molasses?
Mike and Joey pull back the curtain on two primary derailers:
Distraction by “bright, shiny objects”—when leaders impulsively pivot from strategy to chase new ideas.
External forces—weather events, vendor issues, or staffing problems that throw a wrench into execution.
More importantly, teams often lack what Joey calls “someone paid to stay out of the weeds”—a person or system dedicated to keeping strategic focus while others handle the day-to-day fires.
🧭 The Power of Weekly Cadence: Your Strategic GPS
“Momentum happens when leadership teams meet weekly, not quarterly,” Joey stresses.
A central theme of this episode is the irreplaceable role of consistent, weekly leadership meetings. It’s not about simply showing up — it’s about staying aligned, tracking progress, solving problems, and holding each other accountable.
Axiom’s “Agenda 52” framework helps teams strike the right balance:
40 weekly tactical meetings
8 monthly financial/operational check-ins
3 quarterly after-action reviews
1 annual strategy session
This rhythm allows space for reflection, measurement, and rapid adjustments—so detours become part of the journey, not roadblocks.
📊 Know the Track (So You Know When You’re Off)
A critical insight: You can’t course correct if you don’t know what the original course was.
Joey emphasizes defining your metrics and plotting your path — whether it’s revenue growth, retention goals, or customer satisfaction. He urges teams to create clear, time-phased expectations, not just vague year-end aspirations.
“You need a GPS line and a blue dot to show where you really are.”
🛠 How to Reset Without Losing Trust
When it’s time to admit things have gone sideways, leaders have a choice: blame, or own it.
The most powerful moment in the episode comes when Joey describes the ripple effect of a leader saying, “That’s on me.” It opens the door for honest recalibration and rebuilds credibility. In turn, it gives every team member permission to take Extreme Ownership—an Axiom core value—and bring real problems to the table without fear.
🧰 Tools That Help Teams Recover and Regain Traction
Joey and Mike dive into Axiom’s toolbelt, which includes:
Strategic Planning Frameworks
Weekly Agenda Templates
Quarterly Review Models
Talent Maximization Process
Leadership Frameworks and Org Clarity Tools
But tools are only as effective as the team's willingness to be transparent about what’s broken. “Every tool starts with someone saying, ‘This isn’t working.’”
🔥 Momentum Is a Force—Use It or Lose It
The episode closes with a strong reminder: Momentum hides problems. When things are going well, it’s easy to ignore small cracks. But when momentum fades, everything hurts.
Joey challenges leaders to stop, assess, and prioritize. Not everything will get fixed at once. But by choosing the most critical issue—and pouring leadership energy into it—you create a win that rebuilds confidence and progress.
👣 First Step: Prioritize, Focus, Execute
For leaders overwhelmed with too many plates spinning, Joey offers this grounded advice:
Pick three things—the most important ones.
Communicate clearly what’s being put on hold.
Own the derailment and reset with courage.
Stay committed to weekly execution, even if it's boring.
Celebrate small wins to rebuild confidence and momentum.
💬 “This isn’t a failure. This is a signal. Now you know what to work on.” – Joey Brannon
👉 Need help assessing where your company stands? Let’s talk. We help leadership teams diagnose drift and get back on track—with the tools, frameworks, and coaching to build something enduring.
References and Downloadable Resources:
Episode 156: Leadership Guide