Leadership Focus Mastery: Bee-Inspired Strategies for Growth with Jones Loflin

n this episode of the Self-Aware Leader Podcast, host Jason Rigby sits down with Jones Loflin, author of Focus as a Bee, to uncover leadership strategies that transform chaos into clarity. Through Sydney’s bee-inspired journey, Loflin shares his 3P approach—powerful ideas, practical solutions, and personal touch—offering leaders actionable tools to prioritize, recharge, and celebrate wins. Learn how to shift from busyness to intentional focus, adopt a gardener’s growth mindset, and lead thriving teams with consistency and adaptability. Perfect for leaders seeking clarity and sustainable growth in a fast-paced world.

Detailed Overview

Jason Rigby hosts Jones Loflin, a globally recognized speaker with experience at FedEx and the U.S. military, to explore leadership through the lens of Loflin’s new book, Focus as a Bee. Using the narrative of Sydney and her friend Alicia, Loflin introduces the "hexagon of permissions"—a honeycomb-inspired framework with six steps to sharpen focus. Key insights include giving yourself permission to be unavailable, celebrating small wins, and adapting to change like bees. With practical strategies and metaphors, this episode equips leaders to move beyond survival mode into intentional growth.

Timestamps with Key Points

• 00:38 – Introduction to Jones Loflin: Jason introduces Jones and his book Focus as a Bee.

• 01:26 – Sydney’s Story: How a chaotic bee encounter sparks transformation.

• 02:47 – Shifting the Leadership Mindset: Asking better questions and listening to teams.

• 04:21 – Permission to Prioritize: Discerning what’s most important.

• 07:08 – Gardener vs. Mechanic Mindset: Growing teams instead of fixing problems.

• 09:48 – Permission to Be Unavailable: Why stepping back is key for focus.

• 17:20 – Honey Flow State: Creating environments for optimal focus.

• 23:06 – Permission to Recharge: Bees rest more than they work—lessons for leaders.

• 26:55 – Adapting to Change: How bees and leaders thrive in new conditions.

• 33:56 – Consistency as a Superpower: Balancing structure with innovation.

• 39:28 – Permission to Celebrate: Recognizing small wins to build momentum.

• 43:44 – Thriving, Not Surviving: A key question for daily growth.

Notable Quotes

• Jones Loflin (06:03): "Focused is the intentional direction of your time and energy toward what matters most."

• Jones Loflin (10:17): "What your team needs is for you to have the clarity of vision to resource them in ways that help them grow."

• Jones Loflin (40:35): "Celebrating small wins is about saying to that team member, ‘I see growth in you—let’s celebrate.’"

Resources and Links

• Jones Loflin’s Website: jonesloflin.com

• Podcast Resources: jonesloflin.com/podcast

Book - Focus as a Bee:  https://jonesloflin.com/faab