154: When Trust Breaks: How to Lead After Betrayal | Damon Lembi

We’ve all paid the price of believing in someone who let us down. But what if that “cost” isn’t a failure, but it’s a necessary for greater connection, creativity, and leadership? 

It's a mindset shift for leaders who want to build stronger teams, healthier relationships, and resilient organizations.  

If you’ve ever been burned by someone at work or in life, this one’s for you. 

In this episode, you’ll learn: 

• What the “Trust Tax” is and why you should choose to pay it 
• The four-part framework to lead with trust (without getting walked on) 
• How trust impacts culture, growth, and emotional energy 
• Simple mindset shifts to reframe betrayal into progress 
• Real-world ways to lead with belief in work, parenting, and friendship 

Timestamps: 

00:00 – Why trust gets broken—and why Damon still believes in it 

01:10 – The story of betrayal that inspired the Trust Tax concept 

02:40 – “I just paid for my own betrayal” — the personal and professional fallout 

03:20 – What is the Trust Tax? 

03:56 – Why leading from control doesn’t work 

04:30 – Trust builds stronger teams, belonging, and creativity 

05:05 – The 4-step Trust Tax Playbook begins 

05:10 – Step 1: Trust First – Why Damon chooses to lead with trust by default 

05:48 – Step 2: Trust Smart – Awareness without cynicism 

06:28 – Step 3: Reframe the Cost – Learning from letdowns without shutting down 

07:10 – Step 4: Lead by Identity – Becoming someone who trusts and grows 

08:00 – Real-life ways to apply this in parenting, leadership, and friendship 

08:50 – Emotional regulation: labeling feelings to reduce their intensity 

09:30 – Reframing betrayal as a leadership learning moment 

10:15 – Final Challenge: Choose to trust someone this week, even if it’s risky 

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.     

Connect With Us: 

• Upskill yourself or your team: www.learnit.com 
• Email us: podcast@learnit.com 
• Follow Damon on LinkedIn for more leadership insights