Why Everything Stalls When It Matters (Derek Crager)

Your team knows what to do.

Then the moment comes. 
Pressure goes up, and everything slows down.

 Someone hesitates. Guesses. Asks the same question they already asked last week.

The real cost is not training. It is the pause.

 Derek is the CEO of Practical AI and the creator of Pocket Mentor, built to keep people moving when real work gets unclear.
 
 He built Amazon’s highest-rated training program. And still watched people freeze when it mattered most.

Not because they were lazy. Not because they did not care.
 
Because the moment arrived. And no one wanted to get it wrong.

It’s true for frontline workers. But also for managers and execs – on a whole other level. 

Same slowdown. Three different fears.

What does it actually take to keep the work moving at every level?

Inside the episode

• Where work actually slows. People do not stall because of training. They stall because they need answers in the middle of working.
• Why one message isn't enough. Frontline workers, managers, and execs slow down for different reasons. When you speak to only one, the work still stalls.
• The moment the old model breaks. Hours of onboarding videos still leave people stopping, guessing, or feeling judged when they have a question.
• How to get the right words, to the right people, at the right time. To keep things moving smoothly. 

This episode is for

• Founders whose teams slow down at the exact moment results matter.
• Leaders tired of answering the same question in five different ways.
• Execs who look fast on paper but feel drag underneath.
• High performers who want motion without more pressure.

Connect with Derek:

• Website: https://www.practicalai.app
• Book (Free Chapter): https://www.humanfirstai.net
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amazonleadership/
• Email: dc@practicalai.app

What to do next

• Share this with the leader who keeps saying, “Why does this keep slowing down?” Ask them this: “Where does the work pause when it should flow?”
• Connect with Dr. Yishai on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dryishai/
• Book your free Ceiling Break Session on his LinkedIn page to get the shift yourself.

About the podcast

You were built for speed.

But right now you feel slower than you look on paper.

Most founders try to outwork that slow-down. It only burns them out.

The truth is simple.

Your mind is the only machine your company doesn’t upgrade.

This show helps you fix that.

Stop outworking the slowdown. Upgrade the machine.

We make hyper-performance simple and accessible for every founder ready to unlock real speed.

Hosted by doctor of psychology and executive coach Dr Yishai Barkhordari.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice. It is not therapy, clinical advice, or coaching guidance. All examples and stories are illustrative. Some examples or stories are composites. Results vary based on personal effort, context, and market conditions. Always consult qualified professionals before making decisions that impact your business, health, or well-being.

© 2025 Yishai Barkhordari. All rights reserved.