The Learn-It-All Podcast

Most leaders follow the rules. Hitting their targets, meeting expectations, and settling into a rhythm. But uncommon leaders refuse to stay comfortable. Leadership has very little to do with your title or authority. Instead it’s about creating influence, discipline, and the willingness to step outside of your comfort zone if you truly want to be a better leader. In today’s episode, we’re joined by John Gallagher, an executive coach, performance consultant, and trusted advisor to some of the world’s most prestigious organizations. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why intentional leadership is the key to long-term impactThe three-step framework to inspire real change in yourself and othersHow to raise the average of the people you surround yourself withWhy discipline matters more than motivationThe 47-minute rule for peak productivity and focusHow to balance faith and leadership without preachingTimestamps:00:01 – Introduction to John Gallagher and his leadership philosophy 01:01 – The greatest story ever told: How leaders make an impact 03:13 – What makes leadership uncommon? 05:07 – The dangers of thinking you have it all figured out 06:27 – Raising the average: Why your environment dictates your success 08:14 – Getting out of your comfort zone to level up as a leader 11:16 – How to hold yourself accountable and maintain discipline 14:18 – Why some leaders struggle to change—and how to overcome it 19:51 – The three-step framework for inspiring lasting change 22:40 – Why most people struggle with consistency 24:53 – The power of discipline and daily habits 26:39 – How to improve your sleep for better performance 30:51 – Practical advice for avoiding distractions and time-wasting 33:16 – The myth of multitasking and how to reclaim your time 37:27 – The 47-minute rule: A game-changer for productivity 40:19 – Why treating every team member the same way is a mistake 42:01 – The role of AI in leadership (and why soft skills matter more than ever) 44:20 – How faith influences John’s leadership approach 48:57 – How to ensure your name gets written on the listResources Mentioned:John Gallagher’s website: CoachJohnGallagher.comThe Uncommon Leader Podcast – Listen hereBook Recommendation: The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team – Amazon LinkJohn Gallagher on LinkedIn – Follow HereContact John for Coaching – Schedule a CallPodcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.com   Email: podcast@learnit.com  Follow Damon on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

11 Skills AI Will Never Replace: Skill #11 Learning Agility Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our 11-part special series exploring the essential human skills that AI cannot replicate. With the start of the new year, we’re all facing unprecedented technological disruption and workplace transformation. To help you thrive in this new landscape, we’ve leveraged a study from MuchSkills that analyzed data from 28,000 professionals to identify the capabilities that will make you irreplaceable in an AI-enhanced workplace.       Each week, we’ll take a deep dive into one critical skill, providing you with actionable strategies, expert insights, and Learnit’s proprietary frameworks to future-proof your career. This series isn't just about adapting to change – it's about mastering the unique human abilities that will define leadership success in the age of AI.      Learning Agility Makes Your Career Future-Proof Are you and your team ready to thrive in a world where AI accelerates everything but can't replace the most essential human skills?    In today's rapidly evolving business landscape, the ability to continuously adapt, learn, and grow has never been more crucial for success. But how can you cultivate this skill in yourself and your organization?   In this final episode of the 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace series, host Damon Lembi is joined again by Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins, Learnit's top-ranked facilitator and leadership expert, to explore learning agility - potentially the most important skill for today's professionals. They share personal experiences, practical strategies, and insights on how individuals and organizations can develop a culture that prioritizes continuous learning. From scheduling dedicated learning time to embracing failure as a growth opportunity, this conversation offers actionable advice for leaders looking to create resilient, adaptable teams ready to navigate constant change. This Episode Covers: Why cutting learning and development budgets during tough economic times puts organizations at severe risk. How to identify candidates with learning agility during interviews  Why scheduling dedicated learning time is non-negotiable  The importance of "the power of yet" in developing a growth mindset  Episode Highlights:  00:01 – What Is Learning Agility and Why It Matters – How adapting quickly and continuously learning helps individuals and businesses stay relevant. 06:25 – The Personal Payoff of Lifelong Learning – Mickey shares how embracing learning agility shaped her career path. 12:18 – The Risks of the “Know-It-All” Mindset – Why fixed thinking and resisting change are career-limiting behaviors. 19:45 – Three Action Steps to Build Learning Agility – Sponge up knowledge, adopt a growth mindset, and learn with and from others. 28:30 – Creating a Learning Culture at Work – How leaders can build organizations that support curiosity, experimentation, and collaboration. 33:50 – Interview Tips to Identify Learn-It-Alls – The best questions leaders can ask to hire growth-minded, coachable people. 46:06 – Final Thoughts and a Gift for Listeners – Damon and Mickey offer listeners a chance to take a LearnIt class for free.   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.         About Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins    Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins is a dynamic leadership development expert who serves as a Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator at Learnit. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University focusing on middle manager self-efficacy, her expertise spans performance management, program development, and equity initiatives, while her high-energy approach has proven effective in leading teams across educational institutions and technology companies.      Resources Referenced: MuchSkills     The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi   The Obstacle Is the Way: The Timeless Art of Turning Trials into Triumph by Ryan Holiday  The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference by Malcolm Gladwell   Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

Being a successful leader for your company in a world full of disruption means building more than your technical skills.  Yes, you must deliver results, but to run a successful business, you need people. And people today want leaders who can and will work to see beyond themselves and only the bottom line. In today's episode, we’re joined by Joe Davis. He’s the former Managing Director and Senior Partner at Boston Consulting Group, which is one of the pioneers in business strategy, and he’s now a speaker and the author of the book The Generous Leader: 7 Ways to Give of Yourself for Everyone’s Gain. In this conversation, you will learn: What it means to be a generous leader Why being vulnerable with your staff is crucial to growing your team The difference between command-and-control to people-centered leadership And everything else that Joe considers crucial for effective leadership based on his many years in leadership Episode Highlights:00:07 – Leadership Today: Not Complicated, Just Different – How technology, social media, and blurred work-life boundaries have changed leadership expectations. 02:04 – Generous Leadership Defined – Giving of oneself to help others grow and thrive, beyond just being nice. 03:22 – From Command-and-Control to People-Centered Leadership – Moving from authority to inspiring and unlocking human potential. 07:54 – The Power of Vulnerability in Leadership – How admitting uncertainty strengthens trust and collaboration. 12:08 – Transparency vs. Full Transparency – Knowing when full transparency may not be wise. 21:23 – The Importance of Listening – A pivotal moment on the value of letting others fully express their thoughts. 23:42 – CEO Whisperers: How Top Consultants Win Trust – Gaining trust by understanding what CEOs don’t yet know. 36:13 – Small Acts, Big Impact: United Airlines Captain’s Story – Scott Kirby’s personal check-in with Black pilots after George Floyd’s murder. 19:44 – Humanizing Leadership – Recognizing employees as people first to create loyalty and engagement. 41:58 – The Power of Recognition – How a simple thank-you note transforms workplace culture. Resources Referenced: Joe Davis’ book - https://www.amazon.com/Generous-Leader-Ways-Yourself-Everyones/dp/1523006617 Joe Davis’ website - https://www.joedavis.com/ Boston Consulting Group (BCG) - https://www.bcg.com/  Arne Sorenson's COVID-19 Message - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LgAMdCV9fxc Podcast Contact: Website: www.learnit.com  Email: podcast@learnit.com  Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

According to Gallup's State of the Global Workplace Report… Only 30% of employees feel truly engaged in their work, and the consequences are massive with higher turnover, lower productivity, and a workforce that feels disconnected from purpose.  The reality? Disengagement is a leadership crisis. It’s time to fix it.Today we’re joined by Jean Accius, CEO of Creating Healthier Communities and thought leader in workplace well-being and leadership innovation. In This Episode, You’ll Learn:Why psychological safety is critical for workplace successThe connection between trust, engagement, and productivityHow to align personal purpose with an organization’s missionThe role of mentorship across different generations in the workplaceHow workplaces impact mental and physical well-beingThe life expectancy gap by zip code and its implications for societyWhy leaders need to challenge assumptions and embrace diversity of thoughtTimestamps:00:01 – Introduction to Jean Accius 00:08 – The importance of psychological safety in the workplace 02:37 – The alarming decline in employee engagement and why it matters 05:19 – Why purpose-driven organizations outperform their competitors 06:33 – The power of a listening tour and how it transformed CHC 08:33 – Implementing Shadow Days to build cross-functional collaboration 10:32 – The impact of The Million Dollar Idea Fund 12:02 – How Jean overcame a risk-averse culture to drive innovation 15:25 – Why diversity of thought is essential for leadership teams 19:37 – Mentorship across generations & the importance of community 24:37 – How to attract and retain older workers in a changing workforce 27:13 – The hidden impact of workplace policies on mental health 30:19 – The business case for corporate well-being initiatives 33:06 – Life expectancy gaps and how zip codes determine health outcomes 38:49 – Why interdependence, not independence, is the key to progress 42:31 – Final thoughts: The importance of challenging assumptions & lifelong learningResources Mentioned:The Speed of Trust by Stephen Covey – https://a.co/d/1rfRJon The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Franklin Covey – https://a.co/d/70e71A5 Gallup Employee Engagement Study – https://www.gallup.com/workplace/654911/employee-engagement-sinks-year-low.aspx CHC Impact Website – www.chcimpact.orgBreak With a Purpose Initiative – https://www.understood.org/en/articles/evidence-based-behavior-strategy-brain-breaks Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com   Email: podcast@learnit.com  Follow Damon on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

11 Skills AI Will Never Replace: Skill #10 Delegation Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our 11-part special series exploring the essential human skills that AI cannot replicate. With the start of the new year, we’re all facing unprecedented technological disruption and workplace transformation. To help you thrive in this new landscape, we’ve leveraged a study from MuchSkills that analyzed data from 28,000 professionals to identify the capabilities that will make you irreplaceable in an AI-enhanced workplace.     Each week, we’ll take a deep dive into one critical skill, providing you with actionable strategies, expert insights, and Learnit’s proprietary frameworks to future-proof your career. This series isn't just about adapting to change – it's about mastering the unique human abilities that will define leadership success in the age of AI.      Delegation Future-Proofs Your Leadership Are you sabotaging your team's growth and creating organizational bottlenecks by failing to delegate effectively?  Many leaders struggle with delegation, either hoarding work or micromanaging their teams. This episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast tackles one of leadership's most challenging skills. In this episode, host Damon Lembi and leadership expert Mickey Fitch-Collins explore the critical skill of delegation for modern leaders framing it not merely as offloading work but as a strategic development tool. The conversation unpacks common delegation pitfalls, introduces a practical three-part framework, and shares personal stories of delegation failures and lessons learned. This Episode Covers: Why reframing delegation as "development" transforms it from a burden into a strategic growth opportunity  The Learnit "Delegation Greenlights" framework Why micromanagement creates bottlenecks that prevent organizations from scaling How to be crystal clear about expectations, timelines, and the "why" behind delegated tasks Strategies to avoid overloading your high performers with too many delegated tasks  Episode Highlights:  00:01 – Why Delegation is Critical for Leadership Success – How leaders who fail to delegate create bottlenecks and limit team growth. 06:25 – The Delegation Greenlights Framework – A step-by-step approach to deciding what, when, and how to delegate. 12:18 – How to Avoid Micromanaging – Why hovering over delegated tasks destroys trust and slows down teams. 19:45 – Overloading High Performers – How over-delegation to top performers leads to burnout and disengagement. 28:30 – How to Communicate Delegation Clearly – Why being crystal clear on expectations, goals, and deadlines prevents confusion. 33:50 – Saying No Professionally – How employees can push back on delegation while maintaining credibility and collaboration. 46:06 – Key Takeaways for Effective Delegation – Actionable strategies to delegate with confidence and improve leadership impact.   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.         About Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins    Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins is a dynamic leadership development expert who serves as a Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator at Learnit. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University focusing on middle manager self-efficacy, her expertise spans performance management, program development, and equity initiatives, while her high-energy approach has proven effective in leading teams across educational institutions and technology companies.      Resources Referenced: MuchSkills     The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi   The Learn-It All Podcast episode with Jim Szlacta on reframing delegation as development The Learn-It All Podcast episode with Chris Dyer ("Mr. Culture") on delegation enabling scaling  Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael Hyatt  Ethan Evans' five-step "Magic Loop" framework  Learnit’s Delegate to Scale Your Impact Workshop (free code offered to first 25 listeners who message Damon or Mickey on LinkedIn)   Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Giving and receiving feedback is one of the most critical yet difficult skills in leadership. Many leaders avoid giving honest feedback, and even more struggle to receive it without defensiveness. But what if feedback didn’t have to feel so uncomfortable?In today’s episode, we’re joined by Joe Hirsch, a communication expert, speaker, and author of The Feedback Fix. Joe introduces his Feed Forward approach—transforming feedback from a dreaded conversation into a tool for growth. He shares strategies on how to foster a feedback culture, filter out bad feedback, and turn tough conversations into learning moments.In this episode, you will learn:Why leaders struggle with giving and receiving feedbackHow to shift feedback conversations from blame to partnership The science behind why feedback triggers defensivenessHow to ask for better feedback and become a feedback magnetThe Feed Forward approach to make feedback feel empowering, not punishingTimestamps:00:01 – Introduction to Joe Hirsch 01:07 – Why Feedback is Hard (But Necessary) 03:56 – Becoming a Feedback Magnet 05:39 – Joe’s Personal Story: Why Feedback Became His Life’s Work 09:25 – What is Feed Forward? 11:44 – How to Deliver Feedback Without Causing Defensiveness 16:13 – What to Do When People Resist Feedback 18:12 – Creating a Feedback Culture in Teams 20:07 – How to Normalize Feedback in the Workplace 24:12 – The Neuroscience of Learning from Mistakes 28:24 – How to Filter Good vs. Bad Feedback 32:21 – The Danger of Asking Too Many People for Feedback 35:31 – What to Do When Feedback Hurts 39:48 – How to Apply Feedback Effectively 41:25 – The Role of AI in FeedbackResources Mentioned in This Episode:The Feedback Fix by Joe Hirsch – Amazon Link Joe Hirsch’s Website – https://www.joehirsch.me Marshall Goldsmith (Author of What Got You Here Won’t Get You There) – Website Amy Edmondson on Intelligent Failure – Harvard Business ReviewThe Fearless Organization by Amy Edmondson – Amazon LinkPodcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.com  Email: podcast@learnit.com  Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Power Games: How Leaders Navigate the Workplace Dynamics of Power Are power games undermining your leadership and sabotaging your team's performance? In this thought-provoking episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, host Damon Lembi interviews leadership expert Zoë Routh about her forthcoming book Power Games and the complex dynamics of power in the workplace. According to Zoë 's research, power games exist in 100% of workplaces, and even well-intentioned leaders can fall prey to their destructive behaviors. Throughout their conversation, Damon and Zoë  explore how leaders can recognize the warning signs of unhealthy power dynamics, implement strategies to foster healthy team environments, and shift from "hero leadership" to collaborative approaches that distribute power more effectively. This Episode Covers: Why people are uncomfortable with the word "power" but eagerly seek "influence,"  How power can be "a torch to light the way, not a sword to cut people down" The four spheres of power that leaders must understand to master their own power usage The five shadow archetypes of leadership (tyrant, manipulator, bully, fanatic, gambler) and how these destructive patterns emerge Why transparency is one of the most powerful tools for preventing tyranny and manipulation in organizations The five components of high-performing teams (purpose, performance, structure, strength, and safety) that can minimize power games Practical strategies for approaching leaders who are beginning to display tyrant-like behaviors  Episode Highlights: 00:01 – Why Leaders Struggle with Power – How power is often seen as negative, but when used correctly, it fosters trust and collaboration. 06:25 – What Are Power Games? – Zoe defines toxic workplace behaviors like manipulation, credit-stealing, and backstabbing. 12:18 – The Five Shadow Archetypes of Leadership – Why even great leaders can unintentionally fall into toxic behaviors. 19:45 – How to Identify and Disrupt Power Games – The subtle signs of dysfunction and how leaders can audit their teams. 28:30 – Why Transparency Prevents Power Struggles – How openness in decision-making discourages manipulation and abuse of power. 33:50 – Avoiding the ‘Yes-Person’ Problem – Why leaders must create a culture where people feel safe challenging authority. 42:06 – The Future of Leadership is Collaboration – How shifting from ‘hero leadership’ to collective leadership minimizes power struggles. About Zoë  Routh Zoë Routh is a leadership futurist and award-winning author who helps executives navigate uncertain horizons with clarity and confidence. Her book People Stuff won Australian Business Book of the Year in 2020, and her forthcoming Power Games explores workplace power dynamics based on her 30+ years of leadership expertise. As host of "The Future of Leadership Podcast," she shares big ideas on the future of leadership with global audiences. Zoë's approach combines strategic foresight with practical frameworks for CEOs and leadership teams in multiple industries. Her unique background includes wilderness expedition leadership and corporate advisory, giving her distinctive insights into high-performing teams. A cancer survivor and adventurist, Zoë brings both wisdom and real-world experience to her work helping leaders create collaborative, transparent organizational cultures.  Resources Referenced:  Zoë  Routh's websiteZoë Routh on LinkedIn The Future of Leadership Podcast Free Shadow Archetypes Counter Moves handout for podcast listeners People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems, An Advanced Handbook for Leadership by Zoë Routh  Power Games - A Leader’s Guide to Office Politics and Drama-Free Collaboration by Zoë Routh  Strongmen: Mussolini to the Present by Ruth Ben-Ghiat  The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli (Author) Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

11 Skills AI Will Never Replace: Skill #9 Collaboration Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our 11-part special series exploring the essential human skills that AI cannot replicate. With the start of the new year, we’re all facing unprecedented technological disruption and workplace transformation. To help you thrive in this new landscape, we’ve leveraged a study from MuchSkills that analyzed data from 28,000 professionals to identify the capabilities that will make you irreplaceable in an AI-enhanced workplace.       Each week, we’ll take a deep dive into one critical skill, providing you with actionable strategies, expert insights, and Learnit’s proprietary frameworks to future-proof your career. This series isn't just about adapting to change – it's about mastering the unique human abilities that will define leadership success in the age of AI.      The Power of Effective Collaboration Are toxic high performers quietly destroying your team's productivity and morale? According to research highlighted in this episode, teams that collaborate effectively are five times more likely to be high performing - but what happens when conflicting work styles and difficult personalities get in the way?   In this episode, host Damon Lembi and leadership expert Mickey Fitch-Collins examine collaboration as an essential skill in today's hybrid workplace. They explore practical frameworks for understanding different work styles, fostering productive collaboration, and handling challenging team dynamics. With 79% of Gen Z and millennials preferring workplaces that foster teamwork, mastering these collaboration skills has never been more important for retaining talent and driving organizational success.   This Episode Covers: The MOVE framework for understanding team collaboration styles Practical strategies for pairing team members with different styles on small projects  How to transform a dysfunctional team by giving members a common language  The distinction between authentic self-expression and behavior that undermines team culture and collaboration   Episode Highlights: 00:01 – Why Collaboration is Critical in Today’s Workplace – How teams that collaborate effectively outperform those that work in silos. 06:25 – The MOVE Framework for Team Collaboration – A simple, actionable model to improve communication and teamwork. 12:18 – How to Align Different Work Styles – Why understanding team dynamics reduces conflict and increases efficiency. 19:45 – The Cost of Poor Collaboration – How lack of trust and communication leads to inefficiency, frustration, and disengagement. 28:30 – Why Toxic High-Performers Hurt Organizations – The long-term impact of tolerating toxic behaviors, even from top performers. 33:50 – Building Trust and Respect on Teams – How leaders can foster collaboration by creating a safe, open environment. 46:06 – Key Takeaways for Improving Collaboration – Practical steps to immediately strengthen teamwork and engagement.  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.         About Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins    Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins is a dynamic leadership development expert who serves as a Leadership and Professional Development Facilitator at Learnit. With a PhD in Leadership in Higher Education from Northcentral University focusing on middle manager self-efficacy, her expertise spans performance management, program development, and equity initiatives, while her high-energy approach has proven effective in leading teams across educational institutions and technology companies.      Resources Referenced: MuchSkills     The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi   Working Genius Assessment by Patrick Lencioni - A tool for identifying team members' working styles and preferences Supercharge Collaboration with Team Styles - Learnit's most popular workshop, featuring the MOVE framework Learnit's MOVE framework ebook  Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Any Dumbass Leader Can Create an Exceptional Culture Are your team members running out the door excited to come to work? If not, why? Garry Ridge, former CEO and Chairman Emeritus of WD-40, joins Damon Lembi on The Learn-It-All Podcast to discuss how leaders can build high-trust, high-performance cultures where people feel valued and can learn, grow, and thrive. Drawing from his 25 years leading WD-40 and his new book Any Dumbass Can Do It, Garry shares how WD-40 achieved remarkable business results through people-first leadership. Under his guidance, the company expanded globally, grew market cap from $300 million to $3.5 billion, and maintained employee engagement above 90% - all while establishing a culture where 98% of employees loved telling others they worked there.   This Episode Covers: How reframing "failure" as "learning moments" became a cornerstone of WD-40's culture How leaders often protect their comfort zones at the expense of other people's development, limiting growth opportunities for their teams and organizations The power of purpose beyond your product  Why the "Maniac Pledge" at WD-40 eliminated finger-pointing by establishing clear ownership. The importance of embracing "dumbassery" as your superpower.   Episode Highlights:  00:01 – Garry’s Leadership Journey at WD-40 – How he grew WD-40 into a global company with a thriving culture. 06:25 – The Four Pillars of a Friction-Free Culture – A framework for creating a high-trust, high-performance work environment. 12:18 – The Power of Learning Moments – Why reframing failures as learning opportunities builds innovation and engagement. 19:45 – Why Leaders Must Be Brave – How avoiding tough conversations protects a leader’s comfort zone at the expense of team growth. 28:30 – How Culture Becomes a Competitive Advantage – Why organizations with high engagement outperform those that ignore workplace culture. 33:50 – Balancing Remote and In-Person Work – How to bring employees back together meaningfully without eroding trust. 46:06 – Final Takeaways: Building a People-First Culture – How leaders can foster belonging, accountability, and long-term success.  About Garry: Garry Ridge is the Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company, where he served as CEO for 25 years, building a renowned culture of learning and empowerment. He teaches in the University of San Diego's Master of Science in Executive Leadership program, sharing his expertise on corporate culture principles. Ridge has co-authored Helping People Win at Work with Ken Blanchard and recently published Any Dumb Ass Can Do It (2025). Calling himself "The Culture Coach" and more recently "The Dean of Dumbassery,” Gary runs his consulting business "The Learning Moment" where he coaches CEOs and helps leaders create environments where employees make meaningful contributions, learn continuously, and go home happy.   Resources Referenced: Garry Ridge on LinkedIn The Learning Moment - Garry's websiteDumbass QuizAny Dumb-Ass Can Do It: Learning Moments from an Everyday CEO of a Multi-Billion-Dollar Company by Garry Ridge  Helping People Win at Work: A Business Philosophy Called "Don't Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A" by Garry Ridge and Ken Blanchard  What Got You Here Won't Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith  To Be Honest: Lead with the Power of Truth, Justice and Purpose by Ron A. Carucci  Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Stop Hemorrhaging Top Talent: A Leader's Guide to Modern Employee Retention Are you tired of watching your best employees walk out the door despite competitive pay and benefits? What if retention actually begins before an employee's first day?  In this enlightening episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, host Damon Lembi explores groundbreaking strategies for attracting and retaining top talent with Mike Harbour, author of Quit Losing Talent. Drawing from his extensive experience as both a headhunter and leadership consultant, Mike shares how traditional onboarding approaches are failing in today's workplace and introduces his STAY framework for creating a culture where employees want to, well, stay. He challenges conventional wisdom about hiring experienced staff and reveals why even top performers can be toxic to your organization's long-term success.  This Episode Covers: Why sending a handwritten welcome note to new hires before their start date can dramatically improve retention The costly mistake of skipping proper onboarding for experienced new hires, even when they have industry expertise How focusing on skills over values in interviews leads to poor hiring decisions and higher turnover Why investing in employee development isn't just about job skills - personal growth opportunities like financial planning classes can significantly boost retention Why keeping a toxic top performer can actually cost more than losing their production The importance of addressing generational "micro-bullying" that drives younger talent away A systematic 90-day activation process that replaces traditional onboarding and ensures new hire success Episode Highlights: 00:01 – Why Retention Starts Before Day One – How leaders must rethink hiring and onboarding to create lasting engagement. 06:25 – Mastering the Welcome Process – Why a simple handwritten note or phone call before the first day can dramatically impact retention. 12:18 – Sharpening Job Ads to Attract Top Talent – How companies must go beyond listing skills and emphasize mission, values, and growth opportunities. 19:45 – The STAY Framework for Employee Activation – A structured 90-day plan to help new hires feel connected, valued, and set up for success. 28:30 – Why Investing in Employee Development Improves Retention – How offering personal and professional growth opportunities keeps employees engaged. 33:50 – Handling Toxic Top Performers – Why keeping a high-producing but toxic employee can destroy company culture. 46:06 – How Leaders Can Build a Culture That People Want to Stay In – Practical steps for creating an environment where employees feel valued and empowered.  About Mike: Mike Harbour is a leadership development expert and former U.S. Army officer who has helped transform talent retention and leadership practices at organizations across America. As founder and Chief Action Officer of Harbour Resources, he leverages over three decades of experience in healthcare operations, executive search, and leadership development to solve critical retention challenges. A founding partner on the John C. Maxwell Team where he serves on the President's Advisory Council, Harbour has interviewed thousands of leaders and successfully placed hundreds in key positions. His podcast, The Lead Up, has produced over 400 episodes of leadership content, and his book Quit Losing Talent provides a systematic framework for modern hiring and retention.  Resources Referenced: Mike Harbour on LinkedIn Harbour Resources Quit Losing Talent: Expanded Edition: Twenty Leadership Tactics to Win, Keep, & Inspire Great Employees  by Mike Harbour The Lead Up Podcast  The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change by Stephen R. Covey  John Maxwell (mentioned as a mentor) Zig Ziglar (quoted)  Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.