The Learn-It-All Podcast

How to Turn Reading into a Competitive Edge When You "Don't Have Time" Are you struggling to stay ahead in a rapidly changing business landscape while feeling too busy to invest in your own development? This episode reveals how intentional reading can become your secret weapon for better decision-making, innovation, and leadership even if you think you don't have time. Jeff Brown, host of the Read to Lead podcast and author of Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career, shares practical strategies for turning reading into a powerful tool for professional growth. He discusses how to extract maximum value from books, build sustainable reading habits, and create a learning culture within your organization. From managing information overload to implementing insights effectively, this conversation offers actionable approaches for leaders who want to leverage reading as a competitive advantage. This Episode Covers: How reading rewires your brain to improve decision-making, creativity, and emotional intelligence backed by research A practical system for capturing and retaining key insights from books using the "three passes" method Why scheduling reading like any other critical business activity is essential, and how to create an "ideal week" calendar The surprising way fiction can enhance leadership capabilities by building empathy and emotional intelligence How to transform your organization's culture through book clubs and shared learning experiences A strategic approach to reading business books by focusing on specific chapters aligned with your goals The emerging role of AI in extracting insights from books and what it means for the future of learning   Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Jeff Brown – Damon introduces Jeff, highlighting his career and passion for reading as a tool for growth. (01:30) Why Reading is Essential for Leaders – Jeff explains the benefits of reading and how it enhances empathy, decision-making, and creativity. (05:30) Building a Reading Habit – Jeff shares practical steps for carving out time to read, even with a busy schedule. (09:00) Lessons from Biographies – Jeff reflects on how biographies of figures like Benjamin Franklin and Steve Jobs offer timeless leadership lessons. (12:33) Retaining Knowledge Through Note-Taking – Jeff introduces his method for marking and organizing key insights for later use. (17:00) Overcoming Barriers to Reading – Jeff addresses common challenges like time constraints and distractions and offers solutions. (21:30) Leading by Example – Jeff emphasizes the importance of leaders modeling a reading habit and sharing insights with their teams. (33:18) The Future of Reading and AI – Jeff discusses how AI tools are changing the way we interact with books and ideas. (45:00) Final Thoughts – Damon and Jeff wrap up with actionable advice on prioritizing reading and lifelong learning. About Jeff: Jeff Brown is a renowned leadership development expert and host of the Read to Lead Podcast, leveraging his 26-year broadcasting career to help business leaders amplify their impact. The author of Read to Lead: The Simple Habit That Expands Your Influence and Boosts Your Career," Jeff has shared keynote stages with influential voices like Michael Port and Pat Flynn, while delivering transformative workshops for organizations including LinkedIn, Disney, and the Virginia Council of CEOs. As a sought-after consultant and coach, he has guided numerous entrepreneurs and executives, including leaders from multi-million-dollar companies and major U.S. institutions, in developing their professional potential through strategic reading and continuous learning. Resources Referenced: Jeff Brown on LinkedIn Read to Lead Podcast  Read to Lead Book  Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap...And Others Don't by Jim Collins Purple Cow: Transform Your Business by Being Remarkable by Seth Godin  Free to Focus: A Total Productivity System to Achieve More by Doing Less by Michael Hyatt  Great CEOs Are Lazy by Jim Schleckser  Obsidian (note-taking app) Elon Musk by Walter Isaacson  Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson  Steve Jobs by Walter Isaacson  Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination by Brian Jay Jones  Jim Henson: The Biography by Brian Jay Jones  George Lucas: A Life by Brian Jay Jones    Podcast Contact Information:   Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.   

Dr. Alan Nelson, a leadership expert and the founder of KidLead, champions early leadership development in children. He uncovers startling statistics about the optimal age for cultivating leadership skills, emphasizing the critical window between ages 10-15. With insights on fostering self-discipline, allowing failure, and the importance of ethical leadership, he argues that today’s education often stifles rather than nurtures potential leaders. Nelson also highlights the essential traits of emerging leaders and the urgent need for proactive parenting to instill these skills early.

Why do some businesses grow consistently while others stagnate or fail?  In this fascinating episode, former Apple executive and venture capitalist Philippe Bouissou shares his groundbreaking framework for sustainable business growth. Drawing from his experience working with Steve Jobs, investing in over 2,300 companies, and running his own successful ventures, Bouissou explains how misalignment between a business and its target market is often the root cause of stagnation. He introduces his four universal axes of alignment a scientific approach to identifying and fixing growth obstacles that applies to any business, from egg farms to tech startups. His insights challenge conventional wisdom about growth and offer practical steps leaders can take to accelerate their business expansion. This Episode Covers: How misalignment with target markets causes even promising businesses to fail (like Blackberry's decline against iPhone) Why trying to be "the best" is less effective than being strategically different The critical importance of pricing as a strategic tool rather than just a financial metric How internal alignment of teams is essential for executing market-facing strategies Why customer acquisition processes must be frictionless to drive growth The universal challenge of translating customer pain into compelling business claims Why setting and delivering on the right customer expectations is crucial for growth   Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Philippe Bouissou – Damon introduces Philippe and his groundbreaking book, Aligning the Dots. (01:10) Why Some Companies Thrive – Philippe explains how alignment with the target market drives growth and prevents stagnation. (05:30) Lessons from BlackBerry and Apple – Philippe shares examples of alignment and misalignment in the tech industry. (09:00) The Four Axes of Alignment – Philippe introduces his framework and explains how companies can align pain with claims to meet customer needs. (12:33) Pricing as a Strategic Tool – Philippe emphasizes why pricing is integral to business strategy and growth. (17:00) Building a Culture of Delight – Philippe discusses the importance of delivering delight to meet or exceed customer expectations. (21:30) Practical Steps for Leaders – Philippe provides actionable advice for measuring and addressing alignment gaps. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Growth – Damon and Philippe wrap up with a summary of the alignment framework and its impact on business success. About Philippe: A renowned Silicon Valley veteran of three decades, Philippe Bouissou, Ph.D. combines his experience as a successful entrepreneur, venture capitalist, and former executive at Apple, where he launched and grew the Apple Store to $350 million in revenue. As Managing Partner at Blue Dots Partners LLC, he leverages his scientific background in physics and chaos theory to help companies with over $10 million in revenue accelerate their growth through his innovative alignment framework. Andre is  a TEDx speaker and author of Aligning the Dots, which draws on his extensive experience evaluating over 2,300 companies as a VC and leading more than 120 management consulting projects for industry giants like Microsoft, Cisco, and SAP.   Resources Referenced: Aligning the Dots: The New Paradigm to Grow Any Business by Philippe Bouissou Blue Dots Partners  Philippe Bouissou on LinkedIn Andre’s Ted Talk Blue Ocean Strategy--How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant by W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

What if the secrets to leading high-performing teams could be found in how David Bowie managed his band or how U2 rose from playing to 11 people in a pub to becoming global superstars?  In this fascinating episode, legendary music industry veteran Tony Michaelides shares powerful leadership insights gained from four decades of working with some of rock's biggest names. From David Bowie's approach to empowering talent to U2's relentless work ethic, Tony reveals how the principles that built legendary music careers apply directly to building successful businesses and teams. His stories and lessons challenge conventional wisdom about leadership while offering practical strategies any leader can use to build and motivate exceptional teams. This Episode Covers: Why the biggest artists were often the easiest to work with and what that teaches us about effective leadership How David Bowie's management style of not micromanaging brought out the best in his team The critical importance of curiosity and continuous learning in both artistic and business success Why preparing for success early (like U2 did with publishing rights) is essential for sustainable growth How resilience and the ability to turn mistakes into opportunities separates great leaders from good ones The power of authentic relationship-building in developing talent and growing organizations Why true innovation often comes from empowering teams rather than controlling them Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Tony Michaelides – Damon introduces Tony, highlighting his incredible career in the music industry. (02:00) David Bowie: A Masterclass in Reinvention – Tony shares how Bowie’s constant evolution influenced his work and inspired innovation. (05:30) U2’s Rise to Stardom – Tony recounts the early days of U2, their work ethic, and the pivotal moments that led to their global success. (09:00) Storytelling as a Leadership Tool – Tony discusses how great storytelling builds trust and inspires teams to rally behind a vision. (12:33) Turning Setbacks into Success – Tony highlights lessons learned from the music industry on resilience and creating opportunities from challenges. (17:00) Collaboration and Trust – Tony explains why trust and collaboration are critical to building successful careers and teams. (33:18) The Future of Storytelling – Tony reflects on the enduring power of storytelling in music and business. (45:00) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Tony shares actionable advice for leaders on fostering curiosity, resilience, and connection. About Tony: Tony Michaelides, a music industry titan with over 50 years of experience, built one of the UK's most successful promotion companies while working with legendary artists including U2, David Bowie, The Police, and Whitney Houston. After receiving the prestigious "Alien of Extraordinary Ability" visa for his contributions to music and arts, he relocated to the USA where he transformed his unparalleled industry expertise into a successful consulting and speaking career. Now, as an author, podcast host, and international speaker, Michaelides shares leadership insights from rock and roll through his "Moments That Rock" platform, drawing on his experiences with music icons to bridge the worlds of artistic creativity and business leadership.   Resources Referenced: Tony Michaelides on LinkedIn Tony's Wikipedia page Tony’s Website Moments That Rock podcast Moments That Rock by Tony Michaelides  THE INSIGHTS COLLECTION - INSIGHTS FROM THE ENGINE ROOM by Tony Michaelides  Tower Records documentary (All Things Must Pass: The Rise and Fall of Tower Records) Hunter S. Thompson's Rolling Stone writings   Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

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.