The Learn-It-All Podcast

What happens when the identity you've built your entire career around suddenly disappears? How do you maintain integrity when faced with life-changing decisions? And how do leaders navigate major career transitions while staying true to their values? In this compelling episode, Alex Demczak shares his journey from SEC quarterback to being demoted to flag thrower, and how this profound shift in identity shaped his perspective on leadership, integrity, and personal growth. Now an author and leadership speaker, Alex explores how leaders can build trust, maintain integrity under pressure, and guide their teams through challenging transitions. This conversation offers practical insights for business leaders navigating personal and organizational change while building lasting success through principled leadership. This Episode Covers: Why quick wins and shortcuts often undermine long-term success and relationship building How to maintain integrity under pressure when faced with career-defining decisions  The critical role of mentorship in developing leadership skills and maintaining perspective Practical strategies for building trust with your team and creating a culture of integrity Why being authentic and transparent is less stressful than trying to maintain appearances Ways to shift from identity-based leadership to value-based leadership during transitions The importance of regular self-reflection and intentional goal-setting for career growth Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Alex Demczak – Damon introduces Alex, highlighting his career journey from SEC quarterback to leadership coach and author. (02:00) A Turning Point at Mizzou – Alex recounts being cut from the football team and the humbling experience of taking on a supporting role. (05:30) Leadership Without a Title – Alex shares how his time as a volunteer assistant taught him the true meaning of leadership and resilience. (09:00) The Power of Encouragement – Alex discusses how small acts of encouragement from teammates fueled his perseverance. (12:33) Embracing Vulnerability – Alex explains why sharing failures and struggles builds trust and connection. (17:00) Lessons from The Sale – Alex dives into the themes of integrity and long-term success explored in his co-authored book. (21:30) Building Trust Through Integrity – Alex emphasizes the importance of being a fully integrated leader and how it impacts team culture. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Alex shares practical advice for leaders on creating alignment between values and actions. About Alex: A former SEC quarterback for the Missouri Tigers turned leadership expert, Alex Demczak is a sought-after keynote speaker who delivers around 40 speeches annually to organizations including the Cincinnati Reds, US Space Force, and Fortune 500 companies like Allstate and Bridgestone. He is the best-selling co-author of The Sale with Jon Gordon and founder of multiple ventures, including Speaker School and Streamline Books, where he helps others develop their speaking and writing careers. Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Alex hosts three leadership-focused podcasts and specializes in helping high-performance leaders build integrity-based cultures while navigating significant transitions.   Resources Referenced: Alex Demczak on LinkedIn AlexSpeaking.com Alex's speaking website WriteMyBooks.com Alex's book publishing company The Sale: The Number One Strategy to Build Trust and Create Success by Jon Gordon and Alex Demczak    Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates

What if you could grow your business by focusing on being genuinely helpful instead of constantly promoting yourself?   In this enlightening episode of The Learn-It-All Leader Podcast host Damon Lembi speaks with Erin Bradley, an author and business coach who transformed her struggling mortgage business into a thriving practice by completely reimagining how she approached client relationships. After hitting rock bottom early in her career, Erin developed a revolutionary framework based on providing value beyond her core service becoming a trusted resource and connector for her clients in all areas of their lives. She shares how this approach not only led to consistent business growth but created deeper, more meaningful relationships that made work more fulfilling. This Episode Covers: How shifting from self-promotion to genuine service can transform your business development efforts Why building a curated network of trusted service providers creates natural reciprocity and referrals The importance of getting to know business partners as people first, not just vendors How to escape the trap of trying to do everything yourself by hiring strategically Why video content and social media enhance relationship-building in the digital age The mindset shifts needed to scale without burning out Ways to make authentic connections that don't feel "salesy"   Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Erin Bradley – Damon introduces Erin, highlighting her entrepreneurial journey and passion for helping others pursue freedom. (02:00) Finding Resourcefulness in Adversity – Erin shares her early struggles and creative ways she made ends meet while traveling. (05:30) Breaking into the Mortgage Industry – Erin discusses her journey into real estate and the challenges she faced as a commission-based professional during the 2008 market crash. (09:00) The Turning Point – Erin recounts how reading The Go-Giver transformed her mindset and led to the creation of her five-step framework for success. (12:33) The Power of Coaching – Erin emphasizes why mentorship and investing in oneself are essential for overcoming fear and building confidence. (17:00) Adding Value Through Connection – Erin explains how her framework focuses on being a resource and building trust with clients and partners. (21:30) Scaling Without Sacrificing Freedom – Erin shares how hiring support and creating systems helped her scale her business while staying true to her vision. (33:18) Designing a Life by Design – Erin reflects on her philosophy of building a business that supports a life filled with purpose and adventure. (42:00) Final Thoughts – Erin offers parting advice on living intentionally and encourages listeners to prioritize building a life they won’t need a vacation from.  About Erin: Bestselling author and host of the "Pursuing Freedom" podcast, Erin Bradley went from being a struggling mortgage lender to a successful entrepreneur using innovative systems and mindset shifts. After experiencing both financial hardship and burnout on her path to success, she developed a framework that helps real estate professionals and business owners create sustainable growth while maintaining work-life balance. Now retired from mortgage lending, Bradley dedicates herself to coaching and speaking, teaching entrepreneurs how to build thriving businesses that support their dream lives through relationship-based marketing and proven systems that prioritize both time and financial freedom.   Resources Referenced: Erin Bradley on LinkedIn Pursuing Freedom: Be Yourself, increase your referrals and have more fun growing your business!  by Erin Bradley The Go-Giver: A Little Story About a Powerful Business Idea by Bob Burg and John David Mann  Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less  by Michael Hyatt  24-7 Mindset: Build a Business That Pays You 24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week While Only Working 24 Hours a Week and 7 Months a Year by Wally Elibiary Pursuing Freedom Podcast   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are your leaders solving problems too quickly without building trust and connection first? What if they approached leadership more like nurses with empathy, purpose, and humanity rather than rushing to solutions like surgeons? In this compelling episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Geoffrey Roche, inaugural Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers, shares powerful insights about leading with heart and purpose drawn from his 16+ years in healthcare leadership. The son of a nurse, Geoffrey explains how the empathetic, human-centered approach of nurses offers a powerful model for effective leadership in any industry. Through vivid stories and examples, he illustrates how slowing down to truly understand people, building genuine trust, and creating psychological safety enables better solutions and more sustainable results than traditional command-and-control leadership. This Episode Covers: Why empathy isn't just "being nice" it's about taking extra effort to understand others' experiences without judgment How to have crucial conversations with toxic leaders while maintaining professionalism and compassion Why the best solutions often come from frontline workers and how to create an environment where they feel safe sharing ideas The power of storytelling to build authentic connections and "bring down the temperature" in difficult situations Why transparency about why ideas can't move forward is critical for maintaining trust and motivation How to coach people to advocate for their ideas effectively, even to senior leadership The transformative impact of believing in people's potential even when they don't believe in themselves   Episode Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Geoffrey Roche – Damon and Darren introduce Geoffrey, highlighting his background in healthcare and leadership. (01:30) Leadership Inspired by Nurses – Geoffrey shares how his mother’s work as a nurse influenced his empathetic approach to leadership. (05:30) Heart-Centered Leadership in Action – Geoffrey recounts stories of leaders who modeled trust, vulnerability, and collaboration to inspire high performance. (09:00) Addressing Toxic Leadership – Geoffrey discusses the impact of toxic leaders and strategies for challenging them with empathy and respect. (12:33) The Power of Storytelling – Geoffrey explains how storytelling fosters trust and connection within teams. (17:00) Building Trust with the Front Lines – Geoffrey shares lessons from healthcare, emphasizing the importance of listening to and empowering front-line workers. (21:30) Empathy and Tough Conversations – Geoffrey offers advice on navigating crucial conversations with compassion and purpose. (33:18) A Vision for Healthcare’s Future – Geoffrey paints a picture of what healthcare could look like with more heart-centered leadership. (42:00) Final Thoughts – Geoffrey shares parting advice on embracing empathy and purpose as core leadership principles.  About Geoffrey: As the inaugural Director of Workforce Development at Siemens Healthineers and National Healthcare Practice Executive Advisor at Core Education PBC, Geoffrey Roche is transforming healthcare workforce development through strategic innovation and equity-focused initiatives. Drawing from over 16 years of healthcare and higher education leadership experience, Roche's "Heart Leader" approach combines empathetic leadership with strategic vision, influenced by his early career working under a nurse CEO and his background as the son of a nurse. A Forbes Business Council member and sought-after speaker at major healthcare conferences including Becker's Annual Conference and HLTH, Roche serves as a strategic advisor to numerous organizations and startups while advancing healthcare workforce solutions through his thought leadership and industry partnerships.   Resources Referenced: Geoffrey Roche on LinkedIn  Siemens Healthineers The Arnold P. Gold Foundation "Keeping Healthcare Human" initiative Crucial Conversations training program Stanford Medicine's "I am Human" video   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are You Missing the Next Big Business Opportunity by Making Innovation Too Complicated? What if the key to successful innovation isn't brainstorming clever ideas but simply identifying what genuinely frustrates people? Henrik Werdelin, co-founder of BarkBox and pioneer of the "it sucks that" methodology, demonstrates how focusing on solving real problems rather than generating novel ideas can lead to multimillion-dollar businesses.   This episode explores how Werdelin has consistently built successful ventures by identifying and solving clear customer pain points. From his early days hijacking MTV's airwaves to showcase internet content, to building BarkBox into a pet industry powerhouse, to his current mission of democratizing entrepreneurship through AI, Werdelin shares practical insights about innovation, problem-solving, and adapting to technological change. His approach challenges traditional notions of entrepreneurship and offers a refreshingly straightforward path to building valuable businesses.  This Episode Covers: Why starting with "it sucks that..." leads to better business opportunities than brainstorming ideas How BarkBox evolved from a subscription box service into a comprehensive pet happiness company by staying focused on their core customer The critical difference between selling products and solving problems for a specific customer group Why most senior leaders are failing to properly implement AI (and what to do about it) How AI is democratizing entrepreneurship by making startup resources and expertise accessible to everyone A practical framework for testing business ideas quickly without overcomplicating things The importance of continually planting new "acorns" of innovation around your core business   Episode Highlights:(00:00) Introduction to Henrik Werdelin – Damon introduces Henrik, highlighting his journey from MTV to building Bark and his approach to problem-solving. (01:30) The Power of “It Sucks That” – Henrik explains his problem-first framework for entrepreneurship and why identifying frustrations leads to better ideas. (05:00) Lessons from MTV – Henrik shares how his time at MTV taught him to focus on lifestyle branding over utility and how this shaped Bark’s success. (08:33) Building BarkBox – Henrik recounts the early days of BarkBox, using rapid prototyping and customer feedback to validate ideas. (12:00) The Acorn Method – Henrik introduces the concept of planting small ideas (acorns) to grow scalable solutions while staying close to customers. (17:00) AI and Entrepreneurship – Henrik discusses how AI is lowering barriers for entrepreneurs and enabling faster, more efficient problem-solving. (21:30) Autos: Democratizing Entrepreneurship – Henrik shares his vision for Autos, an AI-powered platform that helps anyone start a business in just days. (33:18) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs – Henrik offers practical tips on getting started, testing ideas quickly, and overcoming the fear of failure. About Henrik: Henrik Werdelin, co-founder of NYSE-listed BARK (known for BarkBox) serving over 2.5 million dogs monthly, brings deep expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation from his prior role as MTV's VP of Product Development. As a founding partner of venture development firm Prehype and founder of AI platform Audos, he has advised major companies like Coca-Cola, LEGO, and Microsoft, while his methods are taught at leading institutions including Stanford. A prolific thought leader, Henrik hosts the "Beyond the Prompt" podcast and has authored books on corporate innovation and AI's impact on entrepreneurship, cementing his position as a respected voice in both the startup and corporate innovation spaces. Originally from Denmark but now based in New York, Henrik has consistently been recognized for his creative impact, including being named among Fast Company's Top 100 Most Creative and Silicon Alley Insider's '100 People in Tech'.   Resources Referenced: Henrik Werdelin on LinkedIn Beyond the Prompt podcast The Acorn Method: How Companies Get Growing Again by Henrik Werdelin   BarkBox (now BARK) NYSE: BARK Audos AI entrepreneurship platform PreHype venture development firm What's Your Problem?: To Solve Your Toughest Problems, Change the Problems You Solve by Thomas Wedell-Wedellsborg  Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are your top performers secretly planning their exit? In this illuminating episode, of The Learn-It-All Podcast, leadership expert Dr. Benjamin Ritter shares profound insights about career development, executive presence, and creating psychologically safe environments where high-performers can thrive. Through his work coaching leaders across organizations from startups to Fortune 500 companies, Dr. Ritter has observed a concerning pattern: many high-potential employees are contemplating leaving their roles not because of poor leadership, but because they feel uncomfortable asking for the guidance and support they need - even from great bosses. He offers practical strategies for both leaders and employees to bridge this gap, build trust, and create the conditions for sustainable career growth. This Episode Covers: • Why highly respected leaders often unknowingly create barriers that prevent their best people from seeking help • How to reframe career setbacks and disappointments into strategic opportunities for growth • The counter-intuitive truth about work hours and productivity - and why focusing on impact over time spent is crucial • Practical techniques for developing executive presence that align with your organization's leadership culture • Why "finding your purpose" can be dangerous advice without proper context and guidance • How to establish healthy boundaries while still advancing your career • The critical difference between doing extra work and doing impactful work   Episode Highlights:  00:00) Introduction to Dr. Benjamin Ritter – Damon and Darren introduce Dr. Ritter, highlighting his leadership expertise and the inspiration behind Becoming Fearless. (02:00) From Soccer to Self-Leadership – Dr. Ritter shares his journey from aspiring athlete to leadership coach and the lessons learned from failure. (05:30) The Role of Values in Career Growth – Dr. Ritter explains how aligning your work with your personal values creates long-term fulfillment. (09:00) Reframing Fear – Dr. Ritter discusses strategies for transforming fear into information and actionable steps. (12:33) Building Executive Presence – Dr. Ritter provides tips for developing executive presence and acting like a leader before you earn the title. (17:00) Managing Up Effectively – Dr. Ritter shares how to communicate with leaders, clarify priorities, and foster trust within teams. (21:30) Lessons from Becoming Fearless – Dr. Ritter introduces actionable strategies from his book designed to help listeners overcome self-doubt and lead with confidence. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Intentional Living – Dr. Ritter emphasizes the importance of choosing actions and beliefs that serve your goals and values.  About Ben: Dr. Benjamin Ritter, founder of Live For Yourself (LFY) Consulting and host of two influential podcasts (Executive and Live for Yourself), is an international leadership coach who has guided over 500 senior executives at organizations ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies like Google, Amazon, and Mayo Clinic. A thought leader with multiple advanced degrees including a doctorate in Organizational Leadership, Dr. Ritter has earned recognition as a Top LinkedIn Voice and is the bestselling author of Becoming Fearless.  Resources Referenced: Live For Yourself ConsultingBecoming Fearless by Dr. Benjamin Ritter Dr. Benjamin Ritter on LinkedIn The Executive Podcast The Live for Yourself Podcast The First 90 Days: Proven Strategies for Getting Up to Speed Faster and Smarter by Michael D. Watkins   TEDx Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are you struggling to maintain confidence and mental toughness through business challenges?  In this powerful episode, former professional basketball player turned entrepreneur Dre Baldwin shares how his journey from bench warmer to pro athlete shaped his "Work On Your Game" framework - a methodology now used by business leaders worldwide to develop unshakeable discipline, authentic confidence, mental toughness, and personal initiative. Drawing from both athletic and entrepreneurial experience, Baldwin breaks down how structure creates discipline, why most people pursue confidence backward, and how to rebuild after major setbacks. This Episode Covers: • Why discipline must come before confidence and how to build it through proper structure • The critical difference between adding new capabilities versus giving yourself permission to stop being who you've always been • How to identify your true "zone of genius" and why you should outsource everything else • The counterintuitive approach to breaking down complex problems by leveraging others' strengths • Why mental toughness is the "security guard of mental health" and how to cultivate it • The power of "eustress" - voluntarily pursuing challenging situations that push you out of your comfort zone • The "1% rule" - taking full ownership of the small portion of life you can control to influence the 99% you can't   Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Dre Baldwin – Damon introduces Dre, highlighting his journey from Division III basketball to a professional career and beyond. (01:30) The Basketball Journey – Dre shares how perseverance, exposure camps, and cold-calling agents helped him break into professional basketball. (05:00) The Origins of Work On Your Game – Dre explains how his experiences as an athlete inspired his framework for success. (09:00) Discipline Creates Confidence – Dre discusses the importance of discipline in building the foundation for self-belief. (12:33) Managing Time and Energy – Dre shares practical strategies for balancing work, personal development, and long-term goals. (17:00) The Power of Personal Initiative – Dre reflects on how taking action and creating opportunities has shaped his career. (21:30) Overcoming Setbacks with Mental Toughness – Dre talks about bouncing back from rejection and staying focused under pressure. (33:18) Lessons for Leaders and Entrepreneurs – Dre provides insights into applying his framework to leadership, sales, and business growth. (45:00) The Third Day – Dre introduces his latest book and its focus on pushing through discomfort to achieve professional-level performance. About Dre: Dre Baldwin, CEO and Founder of Work On Your Game Inc., went from being a bench player to having a 9-year professional basketball career before pioneering digital sports development content with over 8,000 videos and 103 million views. A four-time TEDx speaker and author of 35 books, Baldwin has partnered with major brands including Nike, Gatorade, and Buick, while developing his signature Work On Your Game framework for professional development. His impact continues through his daily masterclass podcast, which has amassed over 2,900 episodes and 7.3 million downloads, teaching professionals worldwide about mindset, strategy, systems, and accountability. Resources Referenced: Dre Baldwin on LinkedIn The Third Day: The Decision That Separates The Pros From The Amateurs by Dre Baldwin ThirdDayBook.com Work On Your Game University Work on Your Game Podcast YouTube.com/DreAllDay Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl Podcast Contact: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

If you’ve ever climbed to a career peak only to realize it was the wrong mountain, this episode is for you.  Successful entrepreneur and coach Rodric Lenhart shares how he built multiple seven and eight-figure businesses, traveled the world, and founded a nonprofit—all while avoiding the traditional hustle-and-grind mentality. Business leaders, if you're questioning your path or feeling stuck in a life that’s all about accumulating wealth at the expense of happiness, don’t miss this one! Learnit CEO Damon Lembi Rodric Lenhart, bestselling author of Million Dollar Flip Flops discuss how business leaders can avoid the trap of chasing success on the wrong terms. Drawing on personal experiences and hard-learned lessons, Rodric reveals the pivotal moments that led him to develop his unique WAVES Method, a decision filter that helps entrepreneurs reclaim their time, focus on their values, and find true purpose in both life and business.  This Episode Covers: Why many high-achievers feel empty despite their outward success Rodric’s “WAVES Method” and how it can guide decision-making for business leaders The importance of authenticity and defining values outside societal expectations How travel fosters empathy and leadership qualities in young minds The dangers of taking advice from friends and family Why business leaders often over-prioritize money and under-prioritize time and health How to move from chasing external success to finding internal fulfillment The power of being willing to stop, reassess, and change course   Episode Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Rodric Lenhart – Damon introduces Rodric, highlighting his entrepreneurial journey, bestselling book, and foundation. (01:43) The “Right Map, Wrong Mountain” – Rodric explains why many people climb the wrong mountain and how to identify your true path. (02:29) Rodric’s Early Entrepreneurial Journey – Rodric reflects on growing up with limited resources and how those experiences shaped his approach to life and business. (05:16) Lessons from Million Dollar Flip-Flops – Rodric introduces the WAVES method, a decision-making framework that aligns actions with purpose. (09:22) The Power of Values – Rodric emphasizes the importance of understanding your core values and how they guide fulfilling choices. (13:06) Travel and Leadership – Rodric discusses his foundation, Send a Student Leader Abroad, and the transformative power of travel.(18:00) Why Friends and Family Are the Worst Advisors – Rodric shares why well-meaning loved ones often hold us back and how to seek the right guidance. (25:11) Embracing Change and Quitting – Rodric highlights why it’s okay to pivot, quit, and realign when something no longer serves you. (31:35) Final Thoughts on Living with Intention – Damon and Rodric wrap up with actionable advice on building a life rooted in purpose and freedom. About Rodric: Rodric Lenhart is a seasoned entrepreneur, founder of Million Dollar Flip Flops, and author of a best-selling book by the same name.  Having travelled to over 50 countries and with 30 years of experience building seven and eight-figure companies, Rodric dedicates his time as a certified business coach to helping entrepreneurs build businesses that align with their lives, donating all profits to his nonprofit, Send a Student Leader Abroad.    Resources Referenced: Million Dollar Flip Flops (book) Million Dollar Flip Flops (website) Send a Student Leader Abroad  EF Tours Wayne Dyer Anthony Bourdain Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World by David Upstein The Death of Ivan Illich by Leo Tolstoy  Rodric Lenhart on LinkedIn    Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are you leaving money on the table with your pricing strategy?  In this enlightening episode, pricing expert Rafi Mohammed shares invaluable insights on how businesses can revolutionize their pricing strategies. From the power of "Good-Better-Best" models to the impact of a mere 1% price increase, Mohammed reveals actionable tactics that can significantly enhance a company's bottom line. He challenges conventional pricing wisdom and offers a fresh perspective on how businesses can better capture the value they create, potentially transforming their financial performance with relatively simple adjustments to their pricing approach.   This Episode Covers: The concept of value-based pricing and why 90% of companies are missing out How the "Good-Better-Best" pricing model can increase customer satisfaction and profits The surprising impact of a 1% price increase on a company's profitability Strategies for effectively communicating price changes to customers The psychology behind offering multiple pricing options How to identify and target price-sensitive customers without alienating others The importance of articulating your company's unique value proposition Practical tips for implementing new pricing strategies without major overhauls   Episode Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Rafi Mohammed – Damon and Darren introduce Rafi Mohammed, pricing expert and author, to discuss how pricing impacts profitability. (01:30) Why Companies Neglect Pricing – Rafi shares why many companies focus on cost-cutting but ignore the potential of pricing strategies. (05:30) Understanding Value-Based Pricing – Rafi explains the principles of value-based pricing and how companies can use it to align with customer needs. (09:00) The “Good, Better, Best” Model – Rafi introduces his signature pricing strategy and shares examples of how it has driven success for companies across industries. (12:00) Pricing as a Strategic Tool – Rafi discusses how pricing decisions shape customer perceptions and why transparency is critical. (17:00) Minimizing the Impact of Discounts – Rafi shares tips on designing discounts that target price-sensitive customers without eroding profits. (21:30) Lessons from the Music Industry – Rafi reflects on how bundling and creative pricing strategies have reshaped concert ticket sales and other industries. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Pricing Strategy – Rafi offers closing advice for business leaders on implementing effective pricing strategies.  About Rafi: Rafi Mohammed is a leading authority on pricing strategies and the author of The 1% Windfall: How Successful Companies Use Price to Profit and Grow and The Art of Pricing, which offer actionable insights for maximizing profitability. As the founder of Culture of Profit, he has over 25 years of experience helping companies develop comprehensive pricing strategies. A frequent media contributor, Rafi has also written over 90 articles for the Harvard Business Review and holds the title of Batten Fellow at the University of Virginia's Darden School of Business.   Resources Referenced: The Art of Pricing by Rafi Mohammed The 1% Windfall by Rafi Mohammed Harvard Business Review  Culture of Profit (Rafi Mohammed's consulting firm) PricingForProfit.com (Rafi Mohammed's website) Rafi Mohammed on LinkedIn  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are your top performers consistently getting passed over for senior leadership roles despite their excellent work? The problem might not be their capabilities but how they show up in workplace relationships. In this compelling episode, former Amazon executive Reagan Cannon shares insights from her research on why talented women often struggle to break into senior leadership and what it really takes to advance. Drawing from her journey from crying in an In-N-Out parking lot to leading 10,000 people at Amazon, Cannon explains how "relational courage,"  the willingness to show up authentically and challenge others respectfully can transform careers. She offers practical strategies for scaling leadership, building strategic relationships, and communicating with impact, whether you're leading five people or 5,000.  This Episode Covers: Why doing great work alone won't get you promoted to senior leadership How to transition from informal to intentional communication as your organization scales The critical importance of building peer relationships that your team can leverage Why women need to stop trying to be "good" and start being strategic thought partners What it really means to delegate effectively as your organization grows The power of combining data-driven arguments with authentic passion How to handle team members who can't scale with the organization Why relationships and politics are fundamental to senior leadership success Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Reagan Cannon – Damon introduces Reagan Cannon, leadership expert and author, to explore the concept of relational courage. (02:00) Defining Relational Courage – Reagan explains how her research revealed the importance of courage in workplace relationships, especially for women in leadership. (05:30) Overcoming Fear of Failure – Reagan shares personal stories of how embracing failure helped her succeed in challenging environments. (09:00) Building Trust Through Feedback – Reagan discusses how feedback and trust can transform relationships and open doors for growth. (12:33) Leading Large Teams with Intention – Reagan reflects on lessons learned while leading teams of up to 10,000 people and creating scalable communication strategies. (17:00) Transitioning to Entrepreneurship – Reagan talks about the challenges and rewards of leaving corporate leadership to start her own business. (21:30) Developing Future Leaders – Reagan provides insights into coaching and mentoring aspiring leaders, with a focus on women breaking into senior roles. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Reagan emphasizes the importance of balancing courage, connection, and authenticity in leadership. About Reagan: Drawing from over two decades of executive leadership at Fortune 15 companies including Amazon and AT&T, Reagan Cannon is a globally recognized leadership authority who has coached and developed thousands of leaders across six continents. As the former global head of Amazon's Executive Development and architect of their work-from-home strategy, she led organizations of up to 10,000 people while achieving record-breaking results. In her book The Cure for Career Quicksand and through her coaching practice, Reagan shares her proven "Reagan's Rules" framework that helped her ascend from entry-level manager to executive leadership by age 33, empowering today's leaders to excel both professionally and personally. Resources Referenced:  Reagan Cannon's Website  Reagan Cannon on LinkedIn The Cure for Career Quicksand: Advancing Your Career One Slice at a Time by Reagan Cannon   Reagan’s TEDx Talk (2022)  INSEAD Research on Women and TED Talks Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

How do you scale from 3 to 100+ employees while preserving the collaborative spirit that made you successful in the first place? In this engaging episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Colton Pace shares his journey from managing billionaires' assets to founding OwnWell, a rapidly growing startup that helps homeowners reduce their property expenses. He discusses how his experience in wealth management revealed opportunities to democratize financial tools previously available only to the ultra-wealthy. Pace offers valuable insights on building strong co-founder relationships, creating an office-first culture that promotes cross-functional learning, and maintaining effective communication as an organization scales. This Episode Covers: Why having multiple co-founders with complementary skills is crucial for startup success The importance of over-communication when scaling from a small team to 100+ employees How to maintain productive conflict between founders without damaging relationships Why intellectual curiosity should be a key hiring criterion Creating opportunities for cross-functional learning through shadowing and lunch-and-learns The value of testing ideas with real customers before building perfect solutions Managing founder finances and expectations during the early startup phase Balancing in-office culture with rapid growth    Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Colton Pace – Damon introduces Colton, CEO of OwnWell, and sets up the conversation about managing real estate costs effectively. (02:00) Managing Assets to Democratizing Access – Colton shares his journey from managing billionaire assets to founding OwnWell to help everyday homeowners. (05:30) Property Taxes: Not as Fixed as You Think – Colton explains how OwnWell helps homeowners challenge and lower their property tax bills. (09:00) Building the OwnWell Platform – Colton discusses the technology and team behind OwnWell and the importance of co-founders in scaling a business. (12:30) Leadership Lessons from Business School – Colton reflects on the value of his MBA experience and how it shaped his approach to culture and leadership. (17:00) Hiring for Culture and Curiosity – Colton shares tips for recruiting team members who align with company values and thrive in collaborative environments. (21:30) Advice for Aspiring Founders – Colton offers actionable steps for entrepreneurs to test their ideas, find customers, and scale their businesses efficiently. (33:18) The Future of OwnWell – Colton discusses his vision for OwnWell as a digital assistant for real estate owners, providing personalized recommendations and savings About Colton: Colton Pace is the co-founder and CEO of OwnWell, a venture-backed startup that helps property owners reduce expenses through automated solutions, drawing on his extensive experience managing billions across multiple asset classes. His career spans roles in wealth management, venture capital, and asset management, where he was involved with early investments in notable companies like Uber, Spotify, and Snowflake. After graduating from UCLA's Anderson School of Management, Pace founded OwnWell to democratize access to sophisticated financial tools previously available only to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. Under his leadership, OwnWell has grown to serve over 350,000 customers with more than 100 employees. Resources Referenced: OwnWell Website Colton Pace on LinkedIn Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.