the Learn-It-All™ podcast 253: What Great Leaders Unlearn That Average Managers Still Believe | Josh Nanavaty
If you think becoming a manager is the only ticket to success, think again. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ podcast, host Damon Lembi sits down with Josh Nanavaty, VP of Ticket Sales for the San Jose Sharks, for a candid and practical conversation about the real shift from “me” to “we” in leadership. Fresh off leadership experiences with both the Vancouver Canucks and the Sharks, Josh Nanavaty shares what top performers miss when stepping into management, why some fail (and why that’s OK), and how to create high-performing, psychologically safe teams from day one. This episode delivers a treasure trove of actionable advice for current and aspiring leaders, especially those navigating that pivotal jump from individual contributor to manager.
Get ready to rethink promotion, hear powerful mindset shifts, and learn concrete ways to build trust, transparency, and growth in yourself and your team. If you’re leading, want to lead, or simply want to help others uplevel their careers, this is an episode you’ll want to share.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
- The crucial mindset shift from individual contributor to people leader (and what you must unlearn)
- How to know if leadership is really the next step for you—or if you're happiest as a top performer
- Tactics for building trust with new teams, especially when promoted from within or joining fresh
- How to handle mistakes, foster psychological safety, and own failures as a leader
- The importance of transparent career roadmaps and why “giving everyone a voice” creates loyalty and retention
- Why Josh Nanavaty believes in “chameleon leadership”—and how to adapt your style for different personalities
Timestamps:
00:00 – The “we before me” question every aspiring leader should ask
00:35 – Josh Nanavaty’s career path: from intern to VP
01:02 – The mindset shift of winning through your team
02:04 – What leaders need to unlearn
03:31 – Josh’s early leadership mistakes: the battle with marketing
04:59 – Delegation, empowerment, and letting others learn (even if mistakes happen)
06:33 – Why Josh wanted to get into leadership: not the thrill of the chase, but the thrill of team success
08:57 – Two manager types: product management vs. people management
10:55 – Why you should define success for yourself
11:11 – The hardest career challenge: shifting from peer to boss
12:41 – Building trust and psychologically safe environments
14:13 – Owning mistakes, coaching, and why leaders must wear team failures
19:05 – Overcoming the “intern” image & building credibility with senior leadership
21:24 – Why title and money never trump having a great boss
24:00 – Starting fresh at the Sharks: pros and cons of a clean slate
26:26 – Josh’s “observe, listen, build trust” new leader plan
29:32 – Implementing a transparent 4-year career roadmap
33:56 – Josh’s three pillars of team culture
36:56 – Authenticity, being a fan serving fans, and dealing with tough seasons
39:28 – The top traits Josh hires for: hard work, relationships, competitiveness
41:42 – Chameleon leadership: adapting style to individuals
44:07 – Josh’s #1 practical advice for struggling leaders: Lean on your network
45:08 – Where to find Josh online (and at the SAP Center!)
About Josh Nanavaty
Josh Nanavaty is the Vice President of Ticket Sales for the San Jose Sharks. Starting his career as an intern with the Vancouver Canucks, Josh Nanavaty rose through the ranks, gaining a reputation for relationship-driven leadership, and eventually made the jump to a senior leadership role with the Sharks. He’s known for building open, transparent workplace cultures, developing innovative career pathways, and championing the shift from top-performer to hero-maker.
Resources & Mentions:
- San Jose Sharks: Learn more and get tickets
- Josh Nanavaty LinkedIn: Connect directly with Josh
- SAP Center (mentioned): https://www.sapcenter.com/
Podcast Contact Information:
Website: www.learnit.com
Email: podcast@learnit.com
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