The Learn-It-All Podcast

Culture Matters: Building an Operating System for Organizational Success Is your company culture something that "just happens," or are you intentionally shaping it? Many leaders know culture is crucial but struggle to actively build it. In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, host Damon Lembi interviews Jenni Catron, author of Culture Matters, about creating systematic approaches to developing organizational culture. Drawing from her experience in corporate, nonprofit, and entrepreneurial environments, Jenni shares practical insights on building what she calls an "operating system" for culture—moving beyond perks and platitudes to create lasting behavioral change. This Episode Covers: Why leaders often treat culture as an afterthought despite knowing its importance The five-phase framework for intentionally building culture: assess, define, build, equip, and commit How exit processes significantly impact organizational trust and culture Why mid-level managers are increasingly critical to shaping culture and employee experience The importance of clearly defining competing values and decision-making processes How one director transformed her team's culture through consistent, simple practices Why communication and feedback are foundational leadership skills for culture-building  Episode Highlights: 00:01 – Why Culture is Often an Afterthought – Jenni explains why leaders fail to prioritize culture and how it directly impacts business success. 03:29 – Jenni’s Leadership Journey – From the record industry to nonprofit leadership, Jenni shares how her experiences shaped her understanding of culture. 09:04 – The Five-Phase Framework for Shaping Culture – Jenni breaks down the key steps leaders must take to create an intentional culture. 14:04 – Why Employee Exits Matter – The way leaders handle departures affects trust, morale, and the company’s long-term culture. 21:31 – The Hardest Part: Defining Culture – Why leaders struggle with clarity and how to effectively articulate and implement cultural values. 27:28 – Culture and Decision-Making – How a strong culture shapes decision-making, organizational structure, and leadership effectiveness. 37:36 – A Leadership Transformation Story – How one middle manager reshaped her team’s culture through intentional leadership development. About Jenni: Jenni Catron is a leadership expert and CEO of The 4Sight Group, where she consults with organizations on leadership development and organizational health. Her career spans over 20 years across multiple sectors, beginning as Artist Development Director at EMI Music before transitioning to executive leadership roles at Cross Point Church and Menlo Church, where she led significant growth and multi-site expansion initiatives. As an author, Catron has published notable works including Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence, The 4 Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership and the upcoming Culture Matters (published 2.11 2025). Recognized by Outreach Magazine as one of thirty emerging influencers reshaping church leadership, she speaks at conferences nationwide on leadership development and organizational strategy. Her expertise bridges both ministry and marketplace sectors, focusing on developing healthy leaders and thriving organizational cultures.  Resources Referenced: Jenni’s Website Jenni on LinkedIn Culture Matters: A Framework for Helping Your Team Grow, Thrive, and Be Unstoppable by Jenni Catron The Four Dimensions of Extraordinary Leadership: The Power of Leading from Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength by Jenni Catron Clout: Discover and Unleash Your God-Given Influence by Jenni Catron The Lead Culture Podcast The Culture Solution: A Practical Guide to Building a Dynamic Culture so People Love Coming to Work and Accomplishing Great Things Together by Matthew Kelly  EMI  Leadership Development Program  Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

What if getting sued by a billion-dollar competitor was the best thing that could happen to your business? When Bennett Maxwell was hit with a lawsuit from cookie giant Crumbl, he didn't hide or play defense he turned it into rocket fuel for growth. In this fascinating conversation, Maxwell reveals how he turned a serious legal threat into a marketing opportunity that helped his cookie franchise company, Dirty Dough, explode from 60 to 290 locations in just six months. But this episode goes far beyond cookies and lawsuits. Maxwell shares profound insights about professional communication, time valuation, advisory board building, and maintaining perspective while scaling rapidly. His journey from door-to-door sales to running a fast-growing franchise empire while staying focused on mental health and what truly matters offers valuable lessons for any business leader navigating growth and adversity.This Episode Covers: How knocking on 10,000 doors taught Maxwell invaluable lessons about professional communication that he still uses to raise capital and close deals His contrarian approach to getting high-profile advisors (including a $31B IPO veteran) by selling the vision and leveraging referrals Why he believes every interaction is a sale and how to get better at identifying and solving problems through thoughtful questions The counterintuitive advice from his advisor about taking investment money early to reduce stress, even if it means giving up equity A systematic approach to calculating your hourly value to make better decisions about time allocation and outsourcing His experience transitioning from solo entrepreneurship to building company culture at scale Hard-won wisdom about balancing aggressive business growth with mental health and family priorities  Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Bennett Maxwell – Damon introduces Bennett and his background in sales and entrepreneurship. (02:00) Lessons from Knocking on Doors – Bennett shares how door-to-door sales shaped his communication skills and resilience. (05:30) Valuing Time and Outsourcing – Bennett explains the importance of knowing your worth and focusing on high-impact activities. (09:00) Founding Dirty Dough – Bennett recounts his journey from investing in a single cookie store to building a scalable franchise model. (12:33) Building an Advisory Board – Bennett discusses how he recruited experts to guide Dirty Dough’s growth. (17:00) Turning Lawsuits into Opportunities – Bennett reflects on how humor and transparency turned a legal battle into a marketing advantage. (21:30) Mental Health and Business – Bennett shares his journey of prioritizing mental health and finding balance as an entrepreneur. (33:18) Future of Dirty Dough – Bennett outlines the brand’s growth plans, including new product lines and innovations.(42:00) Final Thoughts on Success – Bennett emphasizes the importance of setting authentic life goals and aligning actions with values.  About Bennett: Bennett Maxwell is a serial entrepreneur who catapulted Dirty Dough Cookies from a single store to over 450 franchise locations  in just two years before successfully selling the company to Craveworthy Brands. His entrepreneurial track record includes building and scaling businesses across multiple sectors, including pest control, satellite TV, security systems, and solar energy. Now serving as Director of Franchise Development at Craveworthy Brands, Bennett continues to shape the franchise industry while also hosting "Deeper Than the Dough," a podcast focused on entrepreneurship and mental health.     Resources Referenced: BennettMaxwell.com Bennett Maxwell on LinkedIn Deeper Than the Dough Podcast Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative by Austin Kleon Rich Dad Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki Dirty Dough Cookies Craveworthy Brands Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

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, dive deep 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.   Building Trust in the AI Era Is your organization struggling with employee burnout, productivity, and engagement? Research shows these challenges can be solved by focusing on one fundamental element: trust. But in an era of increasing skepticism and AI-driven change, how do leaders build genuine trust? In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace series, hosts Damon Lembi and Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins discuss the science and practice of building trust in modern organizations. Through personal stories and research-backed insights, they explore how trust serves as a competitive advantage and why it's more crucial than ever in an AI-accelerated workplace.   This Episode Covers: The three pillars of trust in the workplace: empathy, competence, and authenticity - with empathy serving as the foundation How high-trust environments lead to 75% less stress, 40% less burnout, 50% higher productivity, and 13% fewer sick days The "trust bank account" concept and why making regular deposits through consistent, dependable behavior is essential Practical strategies for saying "no" professionally while maintaining trust and managing workload Why advocating for team members is one of the most powerful ways leaders can demonstrate trust How customer loyalty and brand engagement significantly increase when employees work in high-trust environments The importance of being authentic and showing up as a "whole person" rather than just a title or role  Episode Highlights 00:00 – Introduction: Why Trust Matters – Damon and Mickey introduce the importance of trust and why it is a critical skill for career success. 02:00 – Defining Trust in the Workplace – A breakdown of trust as predictability, dependability, and integrity. 03:30 – A Personal Story of Trust Gone Wrong – Mickey shares a real-life leadership misstep that resulted in a trust breakdown and what she did to fix it. 06:00 – The Three Pillars of Trust – Empathy, competence, and authenticity: the foundation of trust in professional relationships. 10:00 – Practical Ways to Build Trust Out Loud – How to demonstrate trust through dependability, follow-through, and advocacy. 12:00 – The Science of High-Trust Workplaces – Research-backed statistics on how trust reduces stress, boosts productivity, and enhances engagement. 18:00 – Saying No Professionally to Maintain Trust – Why high performers need to set boundaries and how leaders can avoid overburdening top talent. 20:00 – How High-Trust Organizations Outperform Competitors – The business case for trust, from employee retention to customer loyalty. 23:00 – Final Takeaways & Next Steps – Key behavior changes for developing trust and where to learn more.  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   Paul Zak's research on trust and workplace performance The Trust Tax (article by Damon Lembi) Ethan Evans episode on The Learn-It-All Podcast Learnit's Build Trust with Your Team workshop  Podcast Contact Information Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Leadership Lessons from a Veteran-Led Business: Building High-Performance Teams Through Military Principles Are you struggling to build a culture of accountability and excellence in your organization? What if the solution lies in learning from those who've led in the most demanding circumstances imaginable? In this compelling episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, John Berry, founder of an eight-figure law firm and author of Veteran-Led, shares how military leadership principles can transform business performance. Drawing from his experience as both a military commander and successful business leader, Berry explains why veterans are "America's greatest resource" and how their leadership capabilities can create competitive advantages in any organization. He provides practical insights on building accountability, fostering healthy competition, and developing resilient teams while maintaining humanity and care for people.   This Episode Covers: Why hiring veterans gives organizations a competitive edge through their innate understanding of leadership, accountability, and high standards How to use objective "scoreboards" and metrics to drive performance while maintaining team morale The importance of situational awareness in leadership and reading your environment to make better decisions Why "feedback is a gift" - especially when it hurts - and how to use it for growth The balance between being highly competitive and deeply caring for your team members Why safety is an illusion and how pushing people toward excellence actually protects them The right way to part ways with underperforming team members while preserving dignity How to scale an organization by having leaders build more leaders Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to John Berry – Damon introduces John, highlighting his military background, legal expertise, and passion for leadership. (01:30) Why Veterans Are America’s Greatest Resource – John explains the leadership, resilience, and mission focus veterans bring to the workplace. (05:30) Lessons from Military Leadership – John shares how his Army experiences shaped his leadership philosophy and his book, Veteran Led. (09:00) The Power of Feedback – John discusses why feedback is a gift and how leaders can embrace it to improve themselves and their teams. (12:33) Building a Scoreboard – John explains how transparent scoreboards foster accountability and inspire teams to excel. (17:00) Fostering a Culture of Leadership – John shares practical strategies for building a team that thrives on collaboration and high standards. (33:18) Embracing Failure as a Leader – John reflects on how his failures shaped his leadership style and taught him invaluable lessons. (45:00) Advice for Hiring Veterans – John offers tips on finding and integrating veterans into your organization to drive success.  About John: John Berry is a decorated military veteran and successful business leader who has transformed his father's law practice into a thriving eight-figure enterprise with over 140 employees. After serving 20 years in the military, including deployments to Bosnia and Iraq as an infantry officer and company commander, Berry leveraged his military leadership experience to build Berry Law into one of America's fastest-growing companies, earning a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for seven consecutive years. His firm, which specializes in veterans' disability appeals, personal injury, and criminal defense, has secured over $350 million in backpay awards for veterans. A thought leader on veteran employment and military-style leadership in business, Berry maintains a 35% veteran workforce including former high-ranking officers in key positions. He hosts the "Veteran Led" podcast and recently published a book of the same name sharing his leadership philosophy.    Resources Referenced: John Berry on LinkedIn Berry Law  PTSD Lawyers  Veteran Led: Military Leadership Lessons to Help Your Team Survive, Thrive, and Dominate by John S. Berry  Veteran Led Podcast Relentless: From Good to Great to Unstoppable by Tim S. Grover  CEO Circle program (sponsored by JP Morgan Chase and Syracuse University's IVMF) Daniello Institute at Syracuse University Warrior Rising JDog Franchises American Legion DAV (Disabled American Veterans) VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Building an Extraordinary Company Culture: Leadership Lessons from NetApp's Transformation Is your organization struggling to maintain high performance and strong culture during challenging times? How do you create a workplace where people don't just show up for a paycheck, but genuinely care about the company's success and each other?   In this illuminating episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Tom Mendoza, former President of NetApp, discusses how authentic leadership, clear communication, and unwavering values can transform an organization's culture and drive extraordinary results. He shares his remarkable story of leading the NetApp through the dot-com crash and watching their stock plummet from $156 to $6. Despite this crisis, under his leadership, the company not only survived but grew from $800 million to $6 billion in revenue and was named the #1 company to work for in America.  This Episode Covers: Why the "death by a thousand cuts" approach to layoffs destroys morale, and how NetApp's leadership handled necessary cuts with transparency and dignity The power of making 20 brief appreciation calls daily to recognize employees doing great work and how this practice spread organically throughout the organization How to handle high-performing employees with toxic attitudes, including a practical technique for evaluating employee performance using the "strengths vs. areas of improvement" test The five essential elements of NetApp's culture: attitude, candor, catching people doing something right, leadership over management, and embracing change Why empowering employees to take risks and supporting them even when they fail is crucial for innovation and growth The importance of treating departing employees with respect and appreciation, as it significantly impacts how current employees view the organization The value of creating a culture where people put the company's needs before individual interests without sacrificing personal growth and fulfillment Episode Highlights:(00:00:00) Introduction to Tom Mendoza – Damon welcomes Tom and sets the stage for a conversation on leadership, culture, and resilience.(00:03:00) Leading Through the Dot-Com Crash – Tom recounts how NetApp navigated a stock drop from $156 to $6 and the leadership decisions that helped the company rebound.(00:10:30) The Power of Culture and Employee Loyalty – How NetApp built a culture where employees stayed, even in the toughest times, and why trust in leadership matters.(00:16:00) Recognizing Employees and Leadership Through Service – Tom shares his philosophy on catching people doing something right and the impact of a simple thank-you call.(00:27:00) Five Key Leadership Principles – Tom discusses the pillars of a great culture, including attitude, candor, recognition, leadership, and embracing change.(00:42:00) Encouraging Risk-Taking in Organizations – How leaders can create an environment where employees feel safe taking risks and driving innovation.(00:50:00) Lessons on Leadership, Family, and Legacy – Tom reflects on the lessons he hopes to pass on to his children and what makes a great leader in today’s world.About Tom: Tom Mendoza was instrumental in transforming NetApp from a startup to a multi-billion-dollar enterprise over his 25-year career. As President from 2000 to 2008 and later as Vice Chairman, he led the company through remarkable growth, increasing revenue from $600,000 to $1 billion in just six years. Mendoza championed values-based leadership and a high-performance culture, which helped NetApp earn the #1 spot on Fortune’s Best Companies to Work For list in 2009. A sought-after speaker on corporate culture, Mendoza frequently lectures at leading institutions such as Stanford, Harvard, and Notre Dame, where he endowed the Mendoza College of Business.    Resources Referenced: Contagious Success: Spreading High Performance Throughout Your Organization by Susan Lucia Annunzio Dave Botterell’s GoFundMe for Haiti John Kotter, Harvard Business Review author Notre Dame University Business School Tom Mendoza on LinkedIn NetApp Palo Alto Networks Sequoia Capital University of Miami Country Day School Collegiate School New York The Economist  Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our new 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 dive deep 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. Self-Awareness: The Critical Leadership Skill That Grows More Important as You Rise Are you a successful leader who's risen through the ranks, only to find yourself wondering if you've lost touch with how you impact others? In today's AI-driven world, technical skills can be automated - but authentic leadership presence can't be replicated. This episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace series tackles one of the most fundamental yet overlooked leadership skills: self-awareness. Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins shares her personal journey from burnout to breakthrough, revealing how self-awareness helped her pivot from a 20-year career in higher education to find renewed purpose. Through candid discussion with host Damon Lembi, she outlines practical steps for developing greater self-awareness and explains why this skill is essential for building trust, driving innovation, and leading effectively in today's rapidly evolving business landscape. This Episode Covers: Why higher-level leaders often mistakenly believe they can stop focusing on self-awareness when the opposite is true How lack of self-awareness can lead to wasted years in the wrong role and diminished impact across an organization The critical connection between self-awareness and building authentic trust with both employees and customers Practical techniques for regular self-reflection, including end-of-week emotional check-ins and decision journals Why younger generations particularly value authentic, self-aware leadership when choosing employers The relationship between emotional regulation and effective leadership How to recognize when your emotions are signaling the need for a career pivot Episode Highlight: (00:00:00) Introduction to Self-Awareness – Damon and Mickey introduce the importance of self-awareness, particularly in leadership, and the role it plays in building trust.(00:03:00) The Dangers of Poor Self-Awareness – Mickey shares the negative impacts of lacking self-awareness, including burnout and wasted career years.(00:08:00) Mickey’s Story: From Burnout to Breakthrough – Dr. Mickey discusses her personal journey through career transformation and how self-awareness helped her pivot to a new path.(00:12:00) Practical Tips for Enhancing Self-Awareness – Damon and Mickey explore actionable steps for regular self-reflection, including emotional regulation and decision journaling.(00:21:00) Self-Awareness in Leadership – The conversation shifts to how leaders can model self-awareness for their teams, emphasizing the impact on organizational culture and trust.(00:30:00) Developing Self-Awareness in a Fast-Paced World – Mickey and Damon discuss why self-awareness is more crucial now than ever, particularly in an AI-driven world.About Damon: 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   Michael Hyatt's planning system and planner  Farnam Street's decision journal methodology Learnit's emotional intelligence workshops (Enhance Your Emotional Intelligence and Strengthen Your Relationships)   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Can your management style unknowingly create the very problems you're trying to solve?  In this enlightening episode of The Learn-It-All Leader Podcast, Carey Davidson introduces the Five Archetypes system, an innovative approach to understanding human behavior and organizational dynamics based on ancient Chinese medicine. Unlike traditional personality assessments that put people in fixed boxes, Davidson's framework offers a fluid, growth-oriented method for improving leadership, communication, and change management. Through real-world examples and practical applications, she demonstrates how leaders can use this system to break through team dysfunction, enhance presence, and create more harmonious, productive workplace relationships. This Episode Covers: How the Five Archetypes (Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood) represent different approaches to leadership and problem-solving, each with distinct strengths and potential pitfalls A powerful case study of how understanding these archetypes helped transform a dysfunctional sales team after traditional consulting had failed for two years Why your most comfortable leadership behaviors might be creating resistance and disconnection in your team members who lead with different archetypes Practical techniques for using the system to deliver difficult news, manage change, and maintain innovation under pressure The critical importance of recognizing when your primary archetype is creating barriers to effective leadership and team harmony Why current personality assessment tools can limit growth by putting people in fixed categories rather than encouraging adaptability How to bridge communication gaps between different archetypes, particularly in sales and customer relationships  Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Carey Davidson – Damon introduces Carey and her innovative Five Archetypes framework. (01:15) The Origin of the Five Archetypes – Carey explains how ancient Chinese medicine inspired her system for understanding human energy and behavior. (05:30) Breaking Down the Archetypes – Carey introduces the five archetypes: Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, and Wood, and how they interact in individuals and teams. (09:00) The Power of Growth and Change – Carey discusses why her system focuses on growth rather than labeling, helping people adapt and thrive. (12:33) Practical Applications in Teams – Carey shares how she has helped organizations use the archetypes to resolve conflicts and improve communication. (17:00) Building Compassion Through Awareness – Carey emphasizes the role of self-awareness and empathy in reducing judgment and fostering collaboration. (21:30) Personal and Professional Transformation – Carey provides examples of how understanding archetypes can create harmony and unlock potential. (33:18) Final Thoughts on the Archetypes – Damon and Carey wrap up with key takeaways for leaders, teams, and individuals looking to embrace change and connection. About Carey: Carey Davidson is a pioneering leadership expert who developed the Five Archetypes system, transforming ancient Chinese medicine principles into a modern framework for organizational and personal growth. As the former HR leader at Columbia University and Executive Director of CARING at Columbia's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Davidson saw firsthand how traditional personality assessments often failed to create lasting change. This insight led her to found Tournesol Wellness in New York City, where she combined cutting-edge science with time-tested wisdom to create a revolutionary approach to understanding human behavior and relationship dynamics.  The author of The Five Archetypes: Discover Your True Nature and Transform Your Life and Relationships, Davidson has shared her expertise with organizations including Microsoft, Starbucks, Tony Robbins, and Yale University, helping leaders break through entrenched patterns to create more innovative, harmonious, and productive workplaces. Resources Referenced: Carey on LinkedIn Carey’s Website  The Five Archetypes: Discover Your True Nature and Transform Your Life and Relationships   by Carey Davidson  Doug Conant (mentioned as previous podcast guest) Take the 5 Archetypes Assessment here.   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Leadership Lessons from a Ghostwriter to the Greats: Why Being Second Fiddle Can Lead to First-Class Success Are you frustrated trying to climb the corporate ladder by always pushing to be number one? What if the fastest path to success is actually through helping others succeed first? In this illuminating episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast,  Chris Widener, former ghostwriter for leadership legends John Maxwell, Jim Rohn, and Zig Ziglar, shares his unconventional path to becoming a leadership expert and bestselling author.    Drawing from his remarkable journey from troubled youth to trusted advisor of business titans, Widener reveals how serving as "second fiddle" to industry giants ultimately created more opportunities, influence, and success than trying to be the star of the show. He explores the power of authentic leadership, the importance of personal revival in addressing today's societal divisions, and practical wisdom on everything from parenting to professional growth. This Episode Covers: Why the key difference between success and failure isn't the absence of obstacles but the presence of perseverance How asking "How can I help you?" instead of "Will you help me?" opened doors to working with leadership legends The counterintuitive career strategy of being an excellent "number two" that led to greater influence and opportunity Why showing appropriate vulnerability and weakness as a leader actually increases your influence and effectiveness The importance of allowing people, especially your children and employees, to follow their own path rather than forcing them into your vision A practical approach to developing original thought leadership by dedicating just 15 minutes daily to focused thinking Why personal and spiritual revival is essential for addressing today's deep societal divisions Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Chris Widener – Damon introduces Chris, highlighting his incredible journey and leadership expertise. (01:30) Defining Leadership Success – Chris shares his insights on perseverance and its role in separating great leaders from the rest. (05:30) From Struggles to Success – Chris recounts his early life challenges and how they shaped his career and leadership philosophy. (09:00) Lessons from Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn – Chris discusses how working with these legendary figures taught him humility, curiosity, and servant leadership. (12:33) Being a Voice, Not an Echo – Chris introduces his life motto and explains how leaders can cultivate original thought and vision. (17:00) Transparency in Leadership – Chris shares the importance of showing vulnerability and building trust within teams. (21:30) Mentorship and Legacy – Chris reflects on his mentors and offers advice for fostering meaningful mentor-mentee relationships. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Damon and Chris wrap up with actionable advice for listeners looking to grow as leaders and individuals. About Chris: Chris Widener is a globally recognized leadership expert who built his career by first serving as the trusted second-in-command to industry legends. As ghostwriter for John Maxwell's nationally syndicated column and co-author of Jim Rohn's million-copy bestseller Twelve Pillars, Widener gained unique insights into the minds of leadership giants. He later co-hosted Zig Ziglar's television show and grew his own publishing company into a major success, selling 50,000-75,000 personal development program sets monthly through Costco and Sam's Club. A Wall Street Journal #2 bestselling author, Widener has written 25 books and speaks to elite business audiences including Microsoft, GE, and Harvard Business School.   Resources Referenced: Chris Widener on LinkedIn Chriswidener.com (Email: chris@chriswidener.com) The Coming American Revival: The Biblical Blueprint for Igniting a Nation's Soul by Chris Widener The Angel Inside: Michelangelo's Secrets for Following Your Passion and Finding the Work You Love by Chris Widener  Twelve Pillars by Jim Rohn and  Chris Widener  The Art of Influence: Persuading Others Begins With You by Chris Widener  Slouching Towards Gomorrah: Modern Liberalism and American Decline by Robert H. Bork The Fred Factor: How Passion in Your Work and Life Can Turn the Ordinary into the Extraordinary by Mark Sanborn  Zig Ziglar Mars Candy Company NBBJ Architecture Firm   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Welcome to The Learn-It-All Podcast’s 11 Skills AI Will Never Replace-- our new 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 dive deep 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. Authentic Leadership: Building Trust Through Transparency and Vulnerability Are you struggling to maintain authority while being open and genuine with your team? In today's AI-driven workplace, authentic leadership has never been more crucial - yet many leaders wrestle with finding the right balance between vulnerability and confidence. In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Learnit’s CEO Damon Lembi and leadership development expert and Learnit workshop leader Dr. Mickey Fitch-Collins, Ph.D. explore how authentic leadership transforms team dynamics and organizational culture.  Through real-world examples and practical strategies, they examine why leaders who are "learn-it-alls" rather than "know-it-alls" create stronger teams, build trust, and improve retention. If you’re looking to enhance your leadership effectiveness while maintaining your authority and presence, you won’t want to miss this episode!     This Episode Covers: Why "know-it-all" leadership creates distance and erodes trust, leading to low morale, fear, and ultimately higher turnover The four key components of authentic leadership: emotional intelligence, relational transparency, values-based decisions, and balanced decision-making How to maintain authority while being vulnerable by setting clear boundaries and combining openness with confident decision-making The importance of closing the "information gap" through strategic transparency to prevent employees from making negative assumptions Why naming your authentic leadership behaviors out loud builds trust and demonstrates intentionality Real-world examples of how authentic leadership transformed team dynamics from fear-based to trust-based relationships The critical balance between sharing enough information to build trust while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries   About Damon: 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: The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi Good Decisions Equal Success: Stop Decision Anxiety and Start Taking Action  by Kandis Porter and Damon Lembi  MuchSkills  The Learn-It-All Podcast Episode 88 with Craig Dowden Larry Levine  Meredith Bell   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are you frustrated by employees who seem disengaged and unmotivated? You can get your team to truly care about their work beyond just collecting a paycheck.   In this illuminating episode, culture expert Dr. Jessica Kriegel challenges conventional wisdom about workplace culture and shares data-driven insights on what actually drives employee engagement and business results. Together with host Damon Lembi, she explores how leaders can create cultures that drive measurable outcomes by focusing on beliefs rather than actions. Drawing from extensive research, including a groundbreaking study with Stanford University, Jessica explains why many popular approaches to culture fall short and reveals surprising findings about what truly makes organizations successful. From debunking generational stereotypes to sharing practical strategies for leading remote teams, this episode offers fresh perspectives on building high-performing cultures in today's evolving workplace. This Episode Covers: • Why focusing on employees' beliefs rather than just their actions leads to sustainable behavior change and better results • The surprising finding that "adaptable" cultures outperform other culture types by 4x in revenue growth • How public recognition should link specific actions to cultural beliefs and measurable results • Why generational stereotypes are destructive and unsupported by data - including research showing older workers adopt workplace technology at the same rate as younger ones • The importance of leaders modeling accountability instead of just demanding it from others • Why forcing employees back to offices can signal resistance to adaptability and potentially harm culture • Three key benefits of remote work: broader talent access, increased trust through flexibility, and more outcome-focused management Episode Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Dr. Jessica Kriegel – Damon introduces Jessica and her expertise in workplace culture and leadership. (01:35) Why Beliefs Matter More Than Actions – Jessica explains the concept of the “Results Pyramid” and how leaders can shift beliefs to drive sustainable behavior change. (05:30) Stories and Recognition – Jessica highlights the importance of storytelling and recognition as tools for building alignment and engagement. (09:00) Shaping a Culture of Accountability – Jessica shares actionable advice on fostering accountability at every level of an organization. (12:33) The Adaptability Advantage – Jessica discusses her research on why adaptable cultures outperform rigid ones, especially in rapidly changing industries. (17:00) Feedback and Leadership – Jessica emphasizes the value of asking for and acting on feedback to create trust and collaboration. (21:30) Lessons from Oracle and Culture Partners – Jessica reflects on her experiences shaping culture at Oracle and her work at Culture Partners. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Culture and Leadership – Damon and Jessica wrap up with key takeaways for building belief-driven organizations.  About Jessica: Dr. Jessica Kriegel is Chief Scientist of Workplace Culture at Culture Partners, where she leads research and strategy to help Fortune 500 companies transform their organizational cultures. With over 15 years of experience, including a pivotal decade at Oracle during their cloud transformation, she has worked with prominent organizations like Lockheed Martin, Bank of America, and the Federal Reserve. Dr. Kriegel developed the "Culture Equation," a data-driven model that aligns organizational purpose, strategy, and culture to deliver measurable results. She holds a doctorate in Human Resources Development from Drexel University and an MBA, bringing academic rigor to her practical approach. A sought-after keynote speaker and author of Unfairly Labeled Dr. Kriegel's insights on workplace culture have been featured in major media outlets, including CNBC, Wall Street Journal, and Forbes.  Resources Referenced: Dr. Jessica Kriegel on LinkedIn Jessica’s Website Culture Partners  Unfairly Labeled: How Your Workplace Can Benefit from Ditching Generational Stereotypes  by Jessica Kriegel  "This Week in Culture" newsletter on LinkedIn Cascades: How to Create a Movement that Drives Transformational Change by Greg Satell  Oracle Thrive Market REI (discussed as culture example)  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.