the Learn-It-All™ podcast

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

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

Winning teams—and thriving careers—are built by those who take charge of their own growth. In this solo episode, host Damon Lembi, two-time bestselling author and CEO of Learnit, shares the three essential truths for taking complete ownership of your career development. Drawing on real stories from mentees and colleagues, Damon unpacks why waiting for training, promotions, or happiness to arrive just doesn’t work—and how proactive planning, building a business case, and courageous conversations can change everything. Whether you’re new to leadership, battling resource constraints, or feeling stuck in the wrong role, this episode delivers practical strategies and mindset shifts to help you get unstuck and start thriving on your own terms. From designing your own learning plan to making big, strategic asks (and having tough talks!), Damon empowers you with the tools and inspiration to own your path, champion your team, and rediscover your passion at work. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why no one cares about your growth as much as you do—and why that’s empowering How to proactively build and present your own learning and development plan The art of crafting a business case and ROI to advocate for your team’s resources The importance of having honest conversations if you’re miserable in your role—and how to transition back to work you love Why leaders often want to help, but need you to step forward first Tangible next steps: how to move from frustration to action, starting today  Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: The myth of waiting for help 01:05 – Taking responsibility for your own learning plan 03:22 – Mentee story: Designing a custom leadership curriculum 06:05 – What to do if your company won’t pay for training 07:05 – The importance of biographies and self-driven learning 08:10 – Build a business case and ROI for your team’s success 10:24 – Sales leader story: Conferences and proven results 14:30 – Leaders are busy—why you need to help them help you 15:30 – The power of proactive initiative (Carly Lutz example) 16:35 – The hardest story: Getting stuck in the wrong management role 19:50 – How honest dialogue can transform your job satisfaction 21:55 – Lessons for “getting out of your comfort zone” and loving your work 23:30 – Damon’s final challenge: Take action now 25:00 – Damon’s book, Learn it All Leader, and goodbye About Damon Lembi Damon Lembi is a 2x bestselling author, the host of The Learn-It-All Podcast, and CEO of Learnit – a live learning platform that has upskilled over 2 million people. Drawing from his prior baseball career, Damon brings an athlete’s perspective to leadership. Through his journey, he has gained invaluable insights into what helps organizations grow, how great leaders learn, and why learn-it-all companies outpace their competitors every time.    Resources & Mentions: The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi:  https://a.co/d/azzNKWM  Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter:  https://a.co/d/hJhnRJU  Damon Lembi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi  Coach Your Team (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/coach-your-team  Make Listening Your Superpower (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/make-listening-your-superpower Run Better Meetings (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/run-better-meetings Think Critically (Learnit Course): https://www.learnit.com/courses/think-critically Delegate to Scale Your Impact (Learnit course):  https://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impact Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

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

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

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

What if your most powerful communication tool wasn’t your voice—but your silence?In this episode, Damon Lembi sits down with mindfulness teacher and bestselling author Cynthia Kane to explore her game-changing approach to communication. From avoiding difficult conversations to managing high-stakes interactions at work, Cynthia reveals how the ability to pause—mentally, physically, and emotionally—can completely transform the way we lead, collaborate, and connect.Drawing from her book The Pause Principle and her signature SOFTEN Method, Cynthia shares a practical playbook for more grounded, intentional, and effective communication—starting with yourself.In this episode, you’ll learn:Why silence—not speaking—is the foundation of great communicationHow the body reacts during tough conversations and what to do about itThe SOFTEN Method: 6 tools to calm down and show up intentionallyWhy most communication breakdowns start with the stories we tell ourselvesHow to unlearn the communication habits you inheritedWhat mindful leaders do to create space, safety, and clarityA practice you can use between back-to-back meetings to resetHow one conversation Cynthia avoided for 13 years changed everythingWhat leaders need to know about tension, trust, and team dynamicsHow to go from reacting to responding—especially under pressureTimestamps:00:00 – The moment before you speak is where leadership begins01:30 – Can people really change how they communicate? Yes.03:00 – Two types of people: aware of communication struggles—and unaware04:00 – Damon's take: poor communication quietly stalls careers05:30 – Cynthia’s story: 13 years avoiding one key conversation07:30 – Fear, survival, and the ripple effect of not speaking up09:00 – Meditation and Buddhism: Cynthia’s unexpected entry point11:00 – From Right Speech to real-world practice13:00 – Why “in the moment” strategies matter most14:30 – Introducing the SOFTEN Method16:00 – Sensation: tuning into your body before your words18:00 – Owning discomfort and calming your nervous system20:00 – The subtle power of tactile strategies (no one will notice)22:00 – Can one person change the tone of a conversation? Yes.24:00 – Tactile tools for leaders: finger tapping, grounding, pressure points26:00 – Rewriting your inner voice to change how you lead28:00 – Team case study: how communication training shifted dynamics30:00 – Why leaders must do the work—not just their teams32:00 – Meditation for communicators (even if you “suck” at it)34:00 – The real practice: noticing, returning, and being kind36:00 – Resetting after a tough conversation so you’re fully present38:00 – Communication in sales: when excitement gets in the way40:00 – Slow down. One person can shift the whole vibe42:00 – Why human connection and adaptability matter more than ever44:00 – Cynthia’s hope: thriving relationships and better day-to-days45:00 – Final takeaway: Attention follows intention. Practice is the path.Resources & Mentions:Cynthia’s book: The Pause Principle – https://a.co/d/eprOdpC Cynthia’s book: How to Communicate Like a Buddhist – https://a.co/d/8hBUvXBCynthia Kane’s website – https://www.cynthiakane.comLearnit course: Delegate to Scale Your Impact – https://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impactFull Focus Freedom Compass – https://fullfocus.co/the-undervalued-zone-of-the-freedom-compass/About the Guest:Cynthia Kane is a mindfulness teacher, communication expert, and author of multiple books including The Pause Principle and How to Communicate Like a Buddhist. Through her SOFTEN Method, she’s helped thousands of professionals learn how to turn everyday conversations into moments of clarity, connection, and calm. Her work blends Eastern philosophy with practical tools for the modern workplace and life.Connect With UsLevel up your team at www.learnit.comEmail us: podcast@learnit.comFollow Damon on LinkedInFollow Damon on Instagram

You don’t lose great people overnight—it happens slowly, then all at once.In this solo episode, Damon Lembi gets real about the 9 most common reasons high performers quit—and what you can do today to retain them. From bad bosses and burnout to compensation, culture, and career stagnation, Damon shares hard-earned lessons from decades of building (and rebuilding) teams at Learnit.If you’re a current or aspiring manager, this episode is your playbook for retention, engagement, and trust.In this episode, you’ll learn:9 of the most common reasons top performers leaveWhy overloading your best people backfiresHow bad bosses drive silent attritionWhy investing in growth and development keeps people loyalThe "VIP curse" and how it leads to burnoutWhat happens when culture rewards underperformanceWhy promoting great individual contributors can go wrongHow to create flexibility without losing performanceThe power of stretch projects, team building, and autonomyWhat Damon offers to every listener (hint: it's generous)Timestamps:00:00 – Why top talent leaves: the real reasons00:35 – Reason 1: Bad bosses and broken trust01:00 – Reason 2: Lack of appreciation and recognition01:30 – Reason 3: Burnout and the VIP curse02:00 – Reason 4: No growth or advancement path02:30 – Reason 5: No investment in professional development03:00 – Reason 6: Toxic or unchallenging team cultures03:30 – Reason 7: Misaligned promotions (ICs into managers)04:00 – Reason 8: Lack of flexibility and autonomy04:30 – Reason 9: Compensation and pay inequity05:00 – What to do: Invest in growth and give them ownership06:00 – Be flexible: one-size-fits-all doesn’t work06:30 – Find their passion, and play to strengths07:00 – Team building and connection matter more than ever07:30 – Retention bonuses (and when to use them)08:00 – Final reflection: High performers want purpose, trust, growth08:30 – Damon’s giveaway: Free book and 60 days of team trainingResources & Mentions:Damon’s book: The Learn-It-All Leaderhttps://www.amazon.com/Learn-All-Leader-Mindset-Traits/dp/1544541651Learnit course: Delegate to Scale Your Impacthttps://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impactThe Freedom Compass by Michael Hyatthttps://fullfocus.co/the-undervalued-zone-of-the-freedom-compass/Gallup: Why Your Boss Is the Reason People QuitOC Tanner Study on Recognition and RetentionPew Research: Reasons Americans Quit Their Jobs in 2021LinkedIn Learning: 94% Would Stay Longer with Learning OpportunitiesConnect With UsUplevel yourself and your team at Learnit.comEmail us: podcast@learnit.comFollow Damon on LinkedInFollow Damon on Instagram

What if the best leaders weren’t the ones at the center—but the ones who built teams that held each other accountable, coached each other up, and challenged each other to grow? In this episode of The Learn-It-All Podcast, Damon Lembi sits down with Keith Ferrazzi—#1 New York Times bestselling author and one of the most trusted voices in leadership transformation—to unpack his revolutionary new leadership model: Teamship. Ferrazzi lays out a clear roadmap for how to build teams that are high on trust, feedback, and co-creation—and low on ego, meetings, and top-down control. Whether you're leading a Fortune 500 company or a small business, this conversation will challenge the way you think about leadership, collaboration, and accountability. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why “Teamship” is replacing traditional leadership models How to build cultures of peer-to-peer feedback and shared accountability The three-layer framework every high-performing team needs How to engineer psychological safety, candor, and coaching into your team A simple practice to radically improve feedback and performance Why meetings might be your biggest bottleneck (and how to fix them) The difference between co-creation and collaboration—and why it matters Why AI should be treated like a team member, not a tool How Damon is applying Keith’s model to reinvent Learnit The power of redefining “team” around strategic rocks—not org charts Timestamps: 00:00 – Keith on why we must reinvent leadership  01:00 – The engineering mindset behind great team cultures  03:00 – The rise of agile, Kaizen, and peer-led collaboration  04:00 – From Never Eat Alone to Never Lead Alone  06:00 – Building a challenge culture inside your team  07:30 – The role of feedback, bonding, and trust  09:00 – Damon’s college baseball story: peer accountability in action  11:30 – Damon’s Learnit team diagnostic: from 2.8 to co-creation  14:00 – Keith’s 3-column practice: achievements, struggles, and plans  16:30 – The power of “Sherpas” vs. leaders  18:00 – Real-time stress-testing: how to activate your whole team  20:00 – Building feedback loops without meetings  22:00 – Why frontline insight is gold  24:00 – How Learnit co-creates training with customers  26:00 – Peer-to-peer coaching and open 360s  28:00 – Keith’s “layer cake” framework for Teamship  30:00 – Applying Teamship to strategic rocks, not company culture  32:00 – Reframing leadership as engineering  33:00 – AI as a team member (not just tech)  34:00 – Keith’s 8-week relationship course: Beyond Connections  36:00 – The foster care story that changed everything  37:00 – Final takeaways and Learnit’s 30-year anniversaryAbout Keith: Keith Ferrazzi is a #1 New York Times bestselling author, founder of Ferrazzi Greenlight, and one of the world’s leading experts on leadership, workplace transformation, and high-performance teams. His books include Never Eat Alone, Leading Without Authority, and his latest, Never Lead Alone. Through 20+ years of coaching executive teams at companies like General Motors, Delta, and Amazon, Keith has become a trusted voice for leaders who want to unlock bold growth through co-elevation and radical collaboration. Resources & Mentions: Keith’s book: Never Lead Alone – https://a.co/d/eI5Kemu  Keith’s book: Never Eat Alone – https://a.co/d/7H9FEJG  Keith’s course: https://connectedsuccess.com Damon’s book: The Learn-It-All Leader – https://a.co/d/19KSQKW  Full Focus “Freedom Compass” tool – https://fullfocus.co/the-undervalued-zone-of-the-freedom-compass/ Learnit course: Delegate to Scale Your Impact – https://www.learnit.com/courses/delegate-to-scale-your-impact  Connect With Us: Level up your team with Learnit: www.learnit.com  Email us: podcast@learnit.com  Follow Damon on LinkedIn  Follow Damon on Instagram 

Joel Goldberg, a seasoned sports broadcaster and author of 'Small Ball, Big Results,' shares insights from over 15 years covering the Kansas City Royals. He discusses how trust and storytelling are essential in both sports and business. Listeners will learn about building trust across generations, the significance of small wins, and managing slumps with resilience. Joel emphasizes the importance of genuine curiosity and setting boundaries to foster deeper connections. His experiences highlight how great leadership is rooted in humanity and emotional intelligence.