The Learn-It-All Podcast

Winning teams—and great companies—aren't built through pressure, they're built through belief and connection. In this energizing solo episode, host Damon Lembi unpacks what it really takes to become a great leader people respect too much to disappoint. Drawing on personal stories from his college baseball days and decades leading at Learnit, Damon explains why the best leaders don’t motivate through fear—but by genuinely believing in their people before they believe in themselves. If you want to foster a team culture where trust, psychological safety, and growth thrive, these actionable insights are your starting lineup. Damon shares practical tools and a quick challenge you can start using this week to build respect, accountability, and a platform for your team to shine. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why belief—not pressure—drives peak performance and lasting accountability The science behind psychological safety and why it’s essential for risk-taking and innovation Damon's “JP” story: how authentic connection from a mentor changes everything Two simple, powerful actions you can use immediately to earn real respect as a leader How to stretch your team and still have their back, even when they stumble The ultimate test of respect: Will your team give their all even when you’re not watching? Timestamps:  00:00 – The kind of leader people don’t want to disappoint 00:40 – Story: Damon’s coach JP and the Knoxville series 01:45 – Why belief—not fear—unlocked Damon’s performance 02:15 – Research from Amy Edmondson: 67% more likely to play it safe without psychological safety 02:45 – Respect can’t be demanded; it must be earned 03:15 – Learnit’s 30-year celebration: stories from employees past and present 03:45 – Leadership is about giving others the platform—not hogging the spotlight 04:00 – Two habits to earn real respect:   1. Connect beyond deadlines   2. Stretch through belief, autonomy, and support 04:45 – The 6-month test: Would your team still bring their best if you stepped away? 05:15 – Final reflection: See people. Believe in them. Give them a shot. 05:45 – Weekly challenge: Tell one person what you see in them 06:00 – Rate, review, and share if this resonated 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: Learnit: Https://www.learnit.com The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi:  https://a.co/d/azzNKWM  Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter:  https://a.co/d/hJhnRJU  Damon Lembi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.  

Winning companies aren’t just built on strategies—they’re built on trust, curiosity, and culture. In this dynamic episode, host Damon Lembi sits down with Gwen Tormey, COO of Corestream, who helped the company scale from scrappy startup to award-winning employer. Gwen shares how she architected a resilient operating system and an inclusive, people-first culture while quadrupling the size of her team. They dive into practical frameworks like OKRs and the 4 Disciplines of Execution (4DX), discuss building psychological safety, and swap stories about hiring, AI adoption, and empowering employees to innovate from any seat. Whether you’re scaling a business or leading a small team, you’ll come away inspired with actionable tools to elevate your leadership and your culture. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Gwen prioritized both operations and culture by listening deeply before leading change The art and discipline of incubate, then delegate—and how to turn quick wins into lasting systems What Gwen learned from her own startup journey (and why product-market fit and business model matter) Corestream’s step-by-step OKR and 4DX mashup—and how it powers alignment across the org How to hire A-players and build psychological safety (using the Who hiring methodology) Why innovation and process optimization can go hand-in-hand with a people-first mindset Practical strategies for driving AI adoption—from team hackathons to hands-on experiments Timestamps: 00:00 – Why it’s okay to fail and the power of positive reinforcement 00:16 – Meet Gwen Tormey: From startup to scaling COO 01:21 – How Gwen balanced building operations and culture 02:36 – Why trust and curiosity beat quick fixes for new leaders 04:26 – “Incubate then delegate”: Gwen’s approach to operational leadership 07:54 – Lessons learned from launching Footstep Labs 11:57 – What founders need to know about business models and product-market fit 13:54 – How Gwen mentors startups: Pessimism meets idealism 14:28 – Breaking down Corestream’s OKR + 4DX execution engine 17:02 – How company-wide goals connect individuals to the North Star 19:54 – The tools, reminders, and culture needed for successful OKRs 22:28 – Building psychological safety and rewarding humility 25:55 – Shifting culture: New hiring, new values, and a “culture council” 28:46 – Gwen’s take on work samples and thorough hiring 31:08 – Why optimizing processes empowers people—never replaces them 32:38 – Getting frontline teams to embrace process improvement and AI 35:04 – Gwen’s best AI adoption tip: Hackathons and hands-on coaching 37:07 – Should you mandate AI tools? Building a flexible, supportive policy 39:29 – The hardest part of scaling culture: Communication and breaking silos 42:15 – What excites Gwen about Corestream’s future About Gwen Tormey Gwen Tormey is the Chief Operating Officer of Corestream, where she’s engineered the company’s rapid growth and helped quadruple the team size, all while securing multiple workplace culture awards. Gwen brings a diverse background as a founder, investor, and operational leader, blending deep curiosity and systems thinking with a relentless focus on people. From rebuilding account management from scratch to designing innovative ways to hire, empower, and retain A-players, Gwen’s signature is bridging operational rigor and human-first values.  Resources & Mentions Gwen on LinkedIn Objectives and Key Results (OKR) framework Who: The A Method for Hiring Skunk Works — What Is It? Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

When success is defined by always saying yes and never showing weakness, burnout is inevitable. In this compelling episode, Damon is joined by Emmy award-winning meteorologist, podcaster, and Noble Knights founder Ted Phaeton, who takes us inside the “high performer’s trap”—and how real growth comes from learning to say no, set boundaries, and protect your peace. Together, they tackle the pressures men face following prescribed scripts for success, how top performers can avoid self-destruction, and why managing your time isn’t just about productivity—it’s about self-alignment and fulfillment. Ted shares his unique journey from burnout to boundary-setting, unveils actionable tools and scripts for defending your time, and explains how slowing down can actually make high achievers stronger. Plus: candid stories on fatherhood, healing generational wounds, and the power of male mentorship for genuine transformation. Packed with real talk, this episode is a must-listen for leaders, learners, and anyone ready to rewrite their definition of success. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why following the “script” of success can lead to regret, burnout, and misery—and how to spot when you’re out of alignment. Practical frameworks for setting boundaries, including Ted’s “perfect week,” time-blocking, and scripts for gracefully saying no or deferring requests. Why high performers are especially prone to burnout—and the counterintuitive secret that 85% effort (not 100%) creates longevity and impact. How to build greater self-awareness and situational awareness to identify the real roots of stress, avoidance, and negative behaviors. The role of mentorship, honest feedback, and supportive male circles in helping men (and leaders of all kinds) grow and break destructive cycles. How becoming a father changed Ted’s view on time, alignment, and the importance of living with empathy, presence, and curiosity.  Timestamps: 00:00 – Ted’s struggle with boundaries and the masculine pressure to never ask for help 01:09 – The “script” men are taught—and why it often leads to unfulfillment 04:15 – How chasing the “wrong carrot” leads to success regret 06:11 – Spotting when you’re out of alignment: self-awareness and situational whispers 08:10 – Why time is our most precious (and unrenewable) asset 10:40 – Why letting someone go can actually serve them best 13:02 – The link between boundary-setting, time-blocking, and protecting your peace 15:59 – Scripts for saying no, deferring, and managing expectations 17:49 – The curse (and burnout) of being a top performer 20:59 – Why self-aware high performers are more powerful than those who never “pump the brakes” 22:57 – The science behind slowing down, working at 85%, and why recovery matters 25:14 – Inside Ted’s Tools of Time course: structure, habits, and personalized frameworks 27:04 – “You don’t have to be great to start”: Overcoming disorganization and making small daily changes 30:26 – The hidden cost of DIY: delegating versus losing time 33:41 – From podcasting to noble mentorship: what men need most 36:57 – Finding brotherhood, healthy circles, and the value of honest feedback 39:46 – How Ted learned to embrace (not resist) hard feedback 46:13 – How fatherhood reshaped Ted’s priorities and time use 49:29 – What Ted wants for his daughter’s future: more empathy, less judgment 51:33 – Final advice: Stay curious, keep learning, and let your skills accumulate for the future  About Ted Phateon Ted Phaeton is an Emmy award-winning morning meteorologist, founder of The Noble Knights men’s group, and host of The Modern Man Podcast. Dedicated to challenging traditional narratives around masculinity and success, Ted helps high performers and everyday leaders redefine what it means to win—at work, at home, and within themselves. From healing generational wounds to teaching transformational time management, Ted’s coaching, courses, and community work inspire men everywhere to grow, connect, and lead with authenticity.  Resources Referenced: Ted’s Website Ted’s LinkedIn The Modern Man Podcast Tools of Time Course Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Winning cultures aren’t created by accident—they’re built through feedback, humility, and real action. In this solo episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, host Damon Lembi reveals the five essential strategies every leader should use to get better feedback—and transform it into real improvement. Backed by research and brought to life with stories from his own career (including writing his bestselling book and leading a team of millions), Damon outlines practical tools, scripts, and even AI hacks for soliciting insightful, actionable criticism. Whether you’re a CEO or an aspiring leader, you’ll walk away ready to seek out the feedback that fuels growth—and learn how to make your team feel safe giving it. From overcoming the fear of tough conversations to leveraging anonymous Google Docs and the power of AI, this episode delivers a blueprint for anyone committed to leveling up their leadership through radical learning and self-awareness. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why leaders who regularly seek feedback are rated far higher than those who don’t—and what that means for your growth. How to “invite feedback with vulnerability,” and the exact script Damon used to get honest advice while writing his book. The power of asking one specific question—instead of settling for binary, shallow responses. How to “meet people where they’re comfortable” so feedback isn’t intimidating or awkward. Systems for anonymous, safe feedback—including the Help Damon Help You Google Doc template. The cutting-edge ways Damon uses AI as a feedback machine, from analyzing meeting transcripts to reworking team comp plans. Timestamps: 00:00 – Surprising research: Feedback-seeking leaders dominate performance 02:30 – Strategy 1: Invite feedback with vulnerability (Damon’s book writing story) 05:25 – Strategy 2: Connect and ask for one specific thing 08:45 – Strategy 3: Meet them where they’re comfortable 11:10 – Strategies 1-3 recap—when 1:1 conversations matter 12:05 – Strategy 4: Make it safe through systems (anonymous Google Doc) 14:50 – Damon’s prompt questions for feedback 16:15 – Sharing and acting on team feedback 17:05 – Strategy 5: Leveraging AI as a feedback machine 18:25 – Example: AI feedback on compensation plans 20:00 – Using AI to debrief podcast interviews 21:20 – Why you shouldn’t get defensive about feedback 23:05 – Damon’s challenge: Pick an area, try a new feedback strategy 24:10 – Closing: Resources and how to connect 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: The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi:  https://a.co/d/azzNKWM  Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter:  https://a.co/d/hJhnRJU  Damon Lembi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

Are you settling for comfort instead of greatness? In this action-packed episode, Damon sits down with Rick Walker—entrepreneur, global nonprofit builder, and author of "Nine Steps to Build a Life of Meaning"—to unearth what truly separates remarkable lives from forgettable ones. Rick shares why pain is our greatest teacher, why comfort breeds mediocrity, and how to fight for a future your grandkids will talk about. Drawing on interviews with world-class leaders and lessons from scaling businesses in over 50 countries, Rick offers a blueprint for finding purpose, turning adversity into leverage, and aiming higher than you ever thought possible. Packed with stories, tough lessons, and practical steps, this episode is an eye-opener for anyone stuck on autopilot or wondering what it takes to build a legacy. Whether you’re facing setbacks or just too comfortable, Rick reveals how to embrace discomfort, conquer your enemies (internal and external), and finally turn potential into real accomplishment. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why living in a painless world creates joyless lives—and how pain sharpens both achievement and happiness How to identify your “worthy enemy”—the personal or societal evil that can ignite your purpose Why aiming low is the ultimate sin, and how the best leaders set goals they rarely achieve How to build resilience by stacking small sacrifices and eliminating distractions, not just making to-do lists How wisdom is the ability to act today for the most valued reward in the most distant future The steps Rick uses for unleashing your full potential and building a legacy that outlasts you  Timestamps: 00:00 – Why pain is life’s greatest attention-grabber 01:17 – Introducing Rick Walker and his "Nine Steps to Build a Life of Meaning" 02:43 – Pain vs. comfort: trading easy living for real growth 06:49 – Rick’s inspiration: lessons from failure and wisdom from world-class men 10:04 – Step one: How to identify and conquer your “enemy” 16:15 – Why Rick uses “steps” instead of “rules” (and what it means to always advance or retreat) 20:04 – The danger of aiming low and why it sabotages your identity 27:27 – Translating business wisdom to nonprofit work and the pursuit of a meaningful impact 31:19 – Rick’s definition of wisdom and the “currency of the present” 38:03 – How pain and setbacks are the secret to joy and a meaningful story 44:09 – Viktor Frankl, agency, and escaping victimhood through responsibility 48:29 – Real-life example: how to handle overwhelm in leadership roles 51:58 – Can you repeat, skip, or customize the nine steps? (linear or not?) 55:02 – Advice for Rick’s future sons-in-law—and building a life your grandkids will recount 57:58 – Why a redeemed man is better than a perfect man (and living a story worth telling) 59:26 – Rick’s final nugget: hope threatens all threats, and living lavishly on the outliers 1:01:55 – Where to connect with Rick and get his book  About Rick Walker Rick Walker is an entrepreneur, author, and global nonprofit leader who’s scaled businesses to hundreds of employees and helped launch organizations in over 50 countries. He’s interviewed 100+ world-class leaders, read over 1,000 books, and distilled decades of experience into practical frameworks for living a life of significance. Rick’s mission is to equip the next generation—especially young men—with the tools, wisdom, and mindset to conquer comfort and build a meaningful legacy. Learn more at RickWalker.com and connect with him on LinkedIn Resources & Mentions Rick Walker’s website and newsletter Rick Walker on LinkedIn Book: Nine Steps to Build a Life of Meaning Book: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Book: Striking Thoughts by Bruce Lee Book: Tao Te Ching Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Growing a business is more than just adding fuel to the fire—true scale demands clarity, courage, and a change in mindset. In this high-impact episode, host Damon Lembi welcomes Adam Strong, renowned business strategist, bestselling author, and host of The Business Strategist Podcast. Together, they dive deep into the pitfalls that keep founders and CEOs stuck, from confusing growth with true scaling, to fear, ego, and personal identity issues that prevent successful exits. Adam unpacks the must-have strategies for reclaiming your time, building scalable systems, and ensuring you're not the bottleneck in your own company. Loaded with actionable frameworks, mindset shifts, and real-life stories—including how personal branding creates demand and why having too much revenue tied to one customer is a recipe for sleepless nights—this is an episode every ambitious leader should hear. In this episode, you’ll learn: The critical difference between growth and scale—and why mistaking one for the other stalls most founders Why personal identity, fear, and ego block even top CEOs from scaling and exiting their businesses Adam’s 3-stage exit plan every business owner needs to understand (and when to start the process) How to identify and fix the stress points that are bottlenecking your organization’s growth The essential categories Adam benchmarks to accelerate professional services out of stagnation Why building (and consistently posting) a personal brand leads to real business opportunities—even if you don’t see instant feedback How to use product ecosystems and capacity planning to protect profits and prepare for scale Timestamps: 00:00 – Growth vs. scale: why sprinting endlessly leads to burnout 01:06 – Why clarity is the “north star” of sustainable business 02:51 – From micromanagement to fear: common founder mistakes 04:29 – The emotional journey of exiting your business 07:19 – Identity and ego: The real reasons founders struggle to let go 09:45 – Limiting beliefs and the fixed mindset trap 11:25 – How Adam challenges leaders (without giving easy answers) 13:29 – Fear-based decision making and resistance to change 15:05 – The hidden power of personal branding and social content 16:57 – Case study: how personal branding landed a new client 19:38 – The first step for stuck professional services leaders 21:06 – Adam’s 5-part business framework for diagnosing bottlenecks 23:25 – Why great technical skills don’t guarantee business growth 24:11 – What McDonald’s teaches about product vs. process 25:49 – How to successfully step back as a founder 28:55 – The dangers of founder interference—stepping back for real scale 30:52 – Growing from $3M to $4M: the scale, not just staff, solution 32:42 – Assessing efficiency and maximizing profitability 35:42 – Is A.I. a threat or tool in professional services? 38:56 – How niche and capacity planning lead to premium positioning 42:45 – Red flags: when too much revenue comes from one client 45:04 – Building a product ecosystem to increase resilience and value 50:25 – Creating demand and the power of waitlists 51:27 – Positioning your firm as premium (not commodity) 53:04 – Adam’s final takeaway: Don’t leave your exit too late 54:45 – How to join Adam's founder community and connect  About Adam Strong Adam Strong is a best-selling author, entrepreneur, international speaker, and widely recognized business strategist. Drawing on decades of experience, Adam specializes in guiding founders, CEOs, and professional services leaders through the crucial mindset and operational changes needed to break revenue ceilings and execute winning exits. He is the host of The Business Strategist Podcast and a passionate advocate of building memorable personal brands in the digital age.  Resources & Mentions: Adam Strong on LinkedIn Adam Strong’s Website The Business Strategist Podcast Adam Strong Books: https://adamstrong.net/books/ Waitlist for Adam’s founder & CEO community: https://gamechangersinnercircle.scoreapp.com/ Patrick Lencioni’s Working Genius Tool  Book: Small Ball, Big Results  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Winning teams—and thriving careers—are built by those who take charge of their own growth. In this solo episode, host Damon Lembi, two-time bestselling author and CEO of Learnit, shares the three essential truths for taking complete ownership of your career development. Drawing on real stories from mentees and colleagues, Damon unpacks why waiting for training, promotions, or happiness to arrive just doesn’t work—and how proactive planning, building a business case, and courageous conversations can change everything. Whether you’re new to leadership, battling resource constraints, or feeling stuck in the wrong role, this episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you get unstuck and start thriving on your own terms. From designing your own learning plan to making big, strategic asks (and having tough talks!), Damon empowers you with the tools and inspiration to own your path, champion your team, and rediscover your passion at work. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why no one cares about your growth as much as you do—and why that’s empowering How to proactively build and present your own learning and development plan The art of crafting a business case and ROI to advocate for your team’s resources The importance of having honest conversations if you’re miserable in your role—and how to transition back to work you love Why leaders often want to help, but need you to step forward first Tangible next steps: how to move from frustration to action, starting today  Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: The myth of waiting for help 01:05 – Taking responsibility for your own learning plan 03:22 – Mentee story: Designing a custom leadership curriculum 06:05 – What to do if your company won’t pay for training 07:05 – The importance of biographies and self-driven learning 08:10 – Build a business case and ROI for your team’s success 10:24 – Sales leader story: Conferences and proven results 14:30 – Leaders are busy—why you need to help them help you 15:30 – The power of proactive initiative (Carly Lutz example) 16:35 – The hardest story: Getting stuck in the wrong management role 19:50 – How honest dialogue can transform your job satisfaction 21:55 – Lessons for “getting out of your comfort zone” and loving your work 23:30 – Damon’s final challenge: Take action now 25:00 – Damon’s book, Learn it All Leader, and goodbye 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: The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi:  https://a.co/d/azzNKWM  Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter:  https://a.co/d/hJhnRJU  Damon Lembi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi  Coach Your Team (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/coach-your-team  Make Listening Your Superpower (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/make-listening-your-superpower Run Better Meetings (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/run-better-meetings Think Critically (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/think-critically Delegate to Scale Your Impact (Learnit course):  https://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impact Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Rethinking Sales Leadership: Disrupting the Status Quo and Multiplying Your Impact In this energizing episode, Damon sits down with Bernadette McClelland—global sales leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and founder of the Sales Leadership Academy—to explore why the most dangerous thing a leader can do is stick with “the way we’ve always done it.” Bernadette shares her personal evolution from top corporate sales leader in Australia to transformative coach and framework creator, urging sales leaders to move beyond comfort zones, drive self-mastery, and codify their unique expertise for the market of tomorrow. From breaking free of outdated identities to embracing a balance of competitive and creative energies, this conversation is packed with actionable strategies and fresh perspectives for anyone looking to stay relevant, multiply their impact, and future-proof their sales leadership. Whether you’re a new manager or a seasoned pro, you’ll find practical tools and inspiration to rewrite your own story, build frameworks that differentiate you, and lead teams with more conviction, clarity, and compassion. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why disruption is essential for sales leaders—and the steep cost of doing nothing The crucial link between identity, intention, and self-influence in transforming leadership How to shift from managing deals to inspiring and mobilizing teams at a human level Why codifying your unique expertise (IP) creates massive value and market differentiation The rising importance of balancing competitive (masculine) and creative (feminine) leadership energies How to coach teams for belief and behavioral change—not just business outcomes  Timestamps: 00:00 – Why “we’ve always done it this way” is so dangerous for leaders 01:41 – The importance of curiosity and self-disruption 03:06 – Identity, intentionality, and influence: the trilogy of self-leadership 07:16 – Bernadette’s journey: overcoming adversity, shifting out of “shallow” work 13:37 – Position, people, process, performance, proof: the framework for multiplying impact 16:42 – The perception trap: why pipeline problems go deeper than the numbers 17:02 – Balancing competitive and creative energies in sales leadership 19:41 – Why not every high-performing rep should be a leader 22:00 – From managing to mobilizing: inspiring belief in your team 24:49 – Coaching limiting beliefs around money and authority 30:18 – Codifying your IP: why your expertise is your commercial asset 32:58 – What the Sales Leadership Academy delivers for its graduates 33:09 – Who Bernadette’s academy is for (and who it isn’t) 34:18 – Human skills and the future of sales leadership in the AI era 37:11 – Using AI wisely: avoiding “copycat” content while leveraging tech 39:27 – Bernadette’s last takeaway: stay open, curious, and true to yourself 40:43 – Where to connect with Bernadette and access her Academy  About Bernadette McClelland Bernadette McClelland is an international sales leadership consultant, keynote speaker, and founder of the Sales Leadership Academy. From humble beginnings and overcoming setbacks, Bernadette rose to become a senior sales leader at Xerox Australia, master coach for Tony Robbins in Asia Pacific, and a trusted advisor to Harvard MBA students and business schools across the globe. Today, she’s renowned for helping leaders coadify their unique value, systemize sales strategy, and double down on impact—whether working with corporate clients, mentoring undergraduates, or volunteering with the incarcerated in their inhouse entrepreneurial and personal transformation programs.  Resources & Mentions: Bernadette’s website: https://bernadettemcclelland.com Bernadette on LinkedIn: Bernadette McClelland Book: Shift and Disrupt: Stop Selling Widgets, Start Selling Wisdom by Bernadette McClelland Byron Katie’s “The Work”: thework.com World Economic Forum: Top 10 Job Skills of the Future Sales Leader of Influence Academy - Use code "LEARNIT" at checkout for a 100% discount! (valid until 7/1/2026): https://salesleadershipacademy.com/revenue  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

What can 36 combat missions teach you about judgment, trust, and leading boldly?  In this gripping episode, host Damon Lembi sits down with retired Navy SEAL, CEO, and bestselling author Marty Strong to unpack the real lessons of leadership from the battlefield to the boardroom. Marty reveals the mindset and frameworks forged under pressure—from never being a “single point of failure” to the three-step process for creative, resilient leadership. Whether you’re running a small project or motivating an entire organization, this episode delivers practical tools to help you train, adapt, and inspire at a higher level. Discover why great teams out-innovate their competition, how mission-driven leadership outperforms metrics-chasing, and what to do when your strategy—and your ego—get stuck in the mud. Marty also shares powerful stories from his SEAL days and breaks down how to reignite creativity in yourself and your team, long after childhood. In this episode, you’ll learn: The difference between “leading for mission” and “leading for metrics” (and why it matters) Marty’s three-part framework for bold, creative leadership—including intellectual humility, curiosity, and applied creativity How SEALs build trust, adaptability, and cross-trained teams to avoid a single point of failure Why businesses lose creativity as they scale—and how to bring it back The #1 lesson Marty learned when everything went wrong on a mission (and how it changed his leadership forever) Tools for driving buy-in, team empathy, and loyalty—no matter the stakes Timestamps: 00:00 – Marty’s “single point of failure” lesson and opening thoughts on leadership 01:18 – What the Navy SEALs taught Marty about always being prepared 03:10 – Marty’s backstory and path to the SEALs 07:00 – The reality of leading high-performing, high-intelligence teams 08:52 – Trust, judgment, and adaptability in special ops 11:27 – Marty’s “work the problem” mud mission and lessons in humility 21:53 – Translating military leadership to the business world 25:34 – Building bench strength, team loyalty, and cross-functional empathy 29:46 – Marty’s books: Be Nimble, Be Visionary, Be Different 34:05 – Why companies (and adults) lose creativity over time 39:19 – The three-step framework: humility, curiosity, creativity 42:43 – How to drive more curiosity and openness in teams 46:27 – The difference between business as usual and true vision 53:36 – What keeps Marty learning and leading at the highest level 56:20 – Marty's speaking, writing, and fiction for the SEAL Veterans Foundation 57:47 – Where to connect with Marty online 58:11 – Show close and Damon’s call to “stay curious, keep learning” About Marty Strong Marty Strong is a retired Navy SEAL with 20 years of combat leadership—and a track record as a CEO, entrepreneur, and bestselling author. After leading 36+ special operations missions and teams in high-stakes environments, Marty transitioned into the business world, buying and selling companies and coaching leaders across industries. He’s the author of a leadership trilogy (Be Nimble, Be Visionary, Be Different) and donates all proceeds from his fiction books to the SEAL Veterans Foundation. Marty speaks and consults on leadership, culture, and bold thinking for audiences nationwide.  Resources & Mentions: Marty’s website: https://www.martystrong.com/ Marty’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marty-strong-9676bb13/ Marty’s books: Be Nimble, Be Visionary, Be Different (Amazon) Article: “Work the Problem” by Marty Strong (LinkedIn article) SEAL Veterans Foundation: https://www.vetspecialwarriors.org/ (fiction book proceeds) Best Robotics: https://www.bestrobotics.org Book referenced: Cantrell (likely Ed Catmull) on Pixar: Creativity, Inc. by Ed Catmull Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.  

Everyone’s talking about AI—but few are actually using it well.In this episode, Damon Lembi sits down with Thiago Da Costa, AI visionary and founder of Datagrid, to unpack the real impact AI is having on work today. From replacing repetitive tasks to redesigning how companies hire, execute, and scale—Thiago shares how forward-thinking leaders can harness AI to reclaim time, unlock efficiency, and build the future of work.From building physics engines for movies like Avatar to selling his startup to Autodesk and now leading Datagrid, Thiago offers both technical insight and human wisdom for anyone navigating the AI revolution.In this episode, you’ll learn:- Why Thiago says AI is underhyped—and what most leaders are missing- The shift from hiring humans to hiring intelligent agents- How AI is changing product, content, customer success, and hiring- Why “agent architects” will be the next critical role inside every company- What great AI implementation looks like at non-tech companies- How to use AI as your “auto-complete for thinking”- What to look for in talent in the age of AI- How leaders can free up 5+ hours a day through agentic design- Why grit and energy beat credentials in AI-native hiring- What the world could look like by 2035—and how to start nowTimestamps:00:00 – Why every junior is now a senior with AI01:30 – AI is underhyped: usage is far behind potential03:00 – Infrastructure gaps: what’s holding mass adoption back04:00 – Voice, video, and the next interface shift06:00 – Replacing work with intelligence: what it means07:30 – Thiago’s origin: Brazil, physics, and Avatar09:00 – Starting a company and learning the hard way10:30 – The one person who believed in him12:00 – Building a CAD platform in the browser14:00 – What it felt like to be acquired by Autodesk16:00 – Driving cloud transformation inside a legacy org18:00 – What inefficiency really looks like at scale20:00 – How Datagrid replaces repetitive ops with agents22:00 – Why "agent architect" is the next must-hire24:00 – Grit + curiosity = your most valuable employee26:00 – Why small teams can now outpace the giants28:00 – Where leaders should start with AI today30:00 – Content, SEO, and how to really use LLMs32:00 – Real example: AI agent handling shipping and tracking34:00 – The three-year vision: free up 5+ hours/day36:00 – What the world could look like in 203538:00 – One lesson for every founder: aim higher40:00 – Damon’s challenge: share this with a future founderAbout Thiago:Thiago Da Costa is a serial entrepreneur, product visionary, and AI futurist. After launching and selling his first startup to Autodesk—where he helped lead the company’s transition to the cloud—Thiago founded Datagrid, an AI platform that turns operational work into intelligent agents. A self-taught technologist with a background in physics and computer graphics, Thiago is pioneering the future of work—where software doesn't just support humans, it works like one.Resources & Mentions:Thiago Da Costa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thiagocosta2/Datagrid: Intelligent Agents for Work: https://www.datagrid.comDelegate to Scale Your Impact – Learnit Course: https://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impactPodcast Episode with Benjamin Bargetzi: https://www.learnit.com/podcast/177-the-future-belongs-to-fast-learners-ben-bargetziConnect With UsUpskill your team at Learnit.comEmail us: podcast@learnit.comFollow Damon on LinkedInFollow Damon on Instagram