The CEO’s Rule: Stop Protecting Feelings. Start Protecting Momentum.

Why avoiding one hard conversation quietly destroys speed, culture, and results.

Author

Glenda Carnate
December 09, 2025

Read time: 2.5 minutes

Momentum rarely disappears all at once. It usually fades away when people hesitate.

A fast-growing team began missing deadlines, even though nothing seemed wrong. The strategy made sense, the market was good, and the team was talented. Still, progress felt slow and difficult.

Everyone noticed the problem. One person wasn’t on the same page, and one role wasn’t working out. No one had the tough conversation. The team didn’t lose momentum all at once... it slipped away each time leaders chose comfort over clarity.

How Do Real Leaders Protect Momentum (Not Feelings)?

  • Address friction early, not emotionally late → Waiting might seem kind, but it can hurt your best people even more.

  • Separate empathy from standards → You can care about people without letting the team lose its direction.

  • Replace silent tolerance with visible accountability → What you ignore quietly soon becomes normal for the whole team.

  • Reward alignment, not just effort → Hard work without clear direction can still slow things down.

  • Act when the decision is already clear internally → Waiting too long to act means missing your chance to lead.

💡Key Takeaway: 

You don’t get momentum back by just motivating people. You get it back by making decisions. When you stop avoiding discomfort, you start making real progress.

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