The Learn-It-All Podcast 160: 5 Steps To Avoid The Sunk Cost Fallacy As A Leader | Damon Lembi
Have you ever stayed too long at a job, on a project, or even a relationship just because you already put so much into it?
That’s the “Sunk Cost” fallacy at work. And it can quietly sabotage smart leaders, strong companies, and promising futures.
In this solo episode, Damon unpacks how this psychological trap nearly cost his company half a million dollars and what finally gave him the clarity and courage to walk away.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- What the sunk cost fallacy really is (and how it shows up at work and in life)
- The project that taught Damon a $500K lesson
- Why walking away from the project freed Learnit to build something better
- How to overcome ego, pride, and emotional attachment
- A 5-step framework to help you know when to pull the plug
- The surprising office building decision that proved Damon had learned the lesson
Timestamps:
00:00 – What is the sunk cost fallacy (and how it traps us)
01:00 – The $500K LMS mistake: why Damon didn’t walk away—until he had to
02:30 – Making the call: pulling the plug and letting the COO go
03:00 – Why it freed up time, money, and momentum to rebuild smarter
03:30 – Step 1: Name it—call the project or decision what it really is
03:45 – Step 2: Stop throwing good after bad
04:00 – Step 3: Put your pride in check and ditch the ego
04:20 – Step 4: Create a “go or no-go” line for any project
04:40 – Step 5: Pressure test with your team—would you start over again?
05:00 – Reframe your thinking: what do you gain by pivoting?
05:30 – Real estate edition: the office building they never moved into
06:15 – Final takeaway: tough decisions are the sign of a wise leader
About Damon Lembi:
Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.
Resources & Mentions:
Uplevel yourself and your team with our trainings: www.learnit.com
Email us: podcast@learnit.com
Follow Damon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/
Follow Damon on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/damonlembi/