James Laughlin

James Laughlin is a seven-time world champion drummer and a globally recognized high-performance leadership strategist. Raised in Northern Ireland, Laughlin discovered his passion for drumming after a pivotal moment in school, which led him to become a two-time world champion by age 14. His competitive career in pipe band drumming included performing with the Grade 1 Simon Fraser University Pipe Band in Vancouver before relocating to New Zealand.

As leading-drummer of New Zealand's Grade 1 Canterbury Caledonian Society and a full-time drumming instructor at St. Andrew's College in Christchurch, Laughlin expanded his career into high-performance leadership training, consulting, and keynote speaking. He won the Juvenile World Solo Pipe Band Drumming Championship and was a finalist in the adult World Solo Championships. Laughlin has served as a mental skills coach for Canterbury Rugby and led a New Zealand team to a world championship, applying a pragmatic approach to leadership development that resonates across industries.

Laughlin is the author of "Our Journey: World Champion Pipers & Drummers Share Their Stories," a collection featuring 42 world champion pipers and drummers, and "James Laughlin's Guide to Snare Drumming." He is also the best-selling author of "Habits of High Performers," which reached the top of the Book Scan List and outlines 27 principles for success. His expertise in executive coaching and leadership development has benefited PGA Tour professionals, elite athletes, CEOs, and multinational corporations, equipping them with strategies for clarity, resilience, and organizational growth.

Drawing on his background in elite competitive environments, Laughlin provides C-suite executives and organizations with proprietary frameworks to build world-class cultures and foster resilience. His High Performance Leadership program, recognized internationally, focuses on vision, desire, belief, self-discipline, habits, self-evaluation, and growth, attracting clients from Fortune 500 companies and world-class athletes.

Laughlin hosts the "Lead on Purpose" podcast on Apple Podcasts, where he interviews global leaders, CEOs, and industry experts to explore the habits and mindsets that drive high performance. His core message emphasizes that high performance is accessible to all with the right mindset and tools, enabling individuals and organizations to achieve significant results.