The First Pancake: Why Getting Started Is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill

Most leaders know what they need to do. They just haven't started yet.In the very first episode of Leading in Change, Melissa Thompson and Adrian Owen Jones talk about the first pancake — and why it's one of the most important metaphors in leadership.The first pancake is always a little rough. The griddle isn't hot enough, the batter isn't quite right, the timing is off. But you have to make it to get to the good ones. The same is true for decisions, projects, initiatives, and change. You have to start somewhere — even when it's imperfect.In this conversation, Melissa and Adrian dig into why leaders stall, what's really underneath it, and practical tools for building a bias toward action on your team.They cover the 70% rule, the 48-hour decision rule, how to flip the question from "what are the risks of doing this wrong?" to "what's the cost of not starting?", and why psychological safety is the foundation every first pancake needs to land on.This one is practical, honest, and a fitting first episode for a podcast that's all about leadership in the messy middle.📺 Watch & Subscribe on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@successlabshq📲 Follow us LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook📬 Subscribe to our monthly newsletter, Notes from the Lab