What can honeybees teach us about leadership, focus, and living with intention? In this episode of The Legendary Leaders Podcast, host Cathleen O’Sullivan welcomes back Jones Loflin—speaker, coach, educator, and co-author of Focused as a Bee.

Drawing from his beekeeping journey with his daughter Sydney, Jones reveals how small shifts in focus can create big changes in how we lead and live. Their book is both a practical guide and a heartfelt tribute to Sydney’s late best friend Alicia, reminding us that life is too short to glorify busyness.

Jones opens up about co-authoring with his daughter, navigating generational differences, and why giving ourselves “permission” may be the secret to better leadership. From consistency to the courage to be unavailable, this conversation offers golden insights—and plenty of laughs—to help you move from busy to truly focused.

Episode Timeline:

00:00 Introduction and welcome back to Jones Loflin

01:11 From busyness to focus: why activity isn’t enough

03:34 Beekeeping beginnings and inspiration for Focused as a Bee

05:32 Honoring Sydney’s best friend Alicia through storytelling

08:11 Three core goals of the book: focus, friendship, and tribute

11:07 Co-authoring with Sydney: lessons from generational differences

18:13 What bees teach us about teamwork, service, and focus

23:39 Progress moments: first honey harvests and surviving winter

25:30 Striking out “busy” and choosing focus with intention

28:39 What a focused day feels like: peace, accomplishment, and energy

31:09 Young professionals, multitasking, and the search for meaning

35:32 Permission to recharge and why leaders need downtime

39:35 Permission to be unavailable: setting boundaries and managing distractions

48:06 Practical first steps to build focus and giving yourself permission

54:39 Why it’s hard to prioritize ourselves—and how to reframe it

01:00:30 The power of consistency: small actions with lasting impact

Key Takeaway:

• Focus Over Busyness: Jones explains why activity alone isn’t enough, and how shifting from “busy” to “focused” leads to more meaningful progress.

• Permission to Lead Differently: From recharging to being unavailable, Jones shares how giving yourself permission creates space for better leadership and wellbeing.

• Consistency Counts: Drawing inspiration from honeybees, Jones shows how small, steady actions can build lasting results in work and life.

• Generational Lessons: Co-authoring with his daughter Sydney revealed the power of bridging perspectives—and how younger leaders approach focus, priorities, and purpose differently.

• Lessons from the Hive: Honeybees model clarity, teamwork, and service to the greater good—principles leaders can adopt in their own organizations.

About Jones Loflin:

Jones Loflin is a dynamic speaker, coach, and educator with over three decades of experience helping people cut through the chaos and focus on what truly matters. His career has spanned keynote stages, corporate training, and leadership coaching, where he equips individuals and organizations with practical tools to thrive. An accomplished author, Jones has written several books including Juggling Elephants, Always Growing, and most recently Focused as a Bee, co-authored with his daughter Sydney. Blending humor, storytelling, and insights, his work inspires leaders to move beyond busyness, embrace clarity, and create meaningful impact. Passionate about growth and connection, Jones continues to guide leaders around the world to simplify their lives, strengthen their teams, and lead with focus and intention.

Connect with Jones Loflin:

Business: https://jonesloflin.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesloflin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/jonesloflin

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH4LXwQIBMcaI0BfBLuVKK4itb3KAKvzN

Resources/s Mentioned: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/jonesloflin_focusedasabee-worklife-activity-7343616539427762176-ttXg

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

Book: A Minute To Think - https://www.amazon.com/Minute-Think-Reclaim-Creativity-Busyness/dp/0062970259

Book: Likeable Badass - https://www.amazon.com/Likeable-Badass-Women-Success-Deserve/dp/0385549148

Connect with Cathleen O’Sullivan:

Business: https://cathleenosullivan.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cathleen-osullivan/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/legendary_leaders_cathleenos/

FOLLOW LEGENDARY LEADERS ON APPLE, SPOTIFY OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO YOUR PODCASTS