The Learn-It-All Podcast

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. 

Are Your Performance Reviews Actually Making Your Company Worse? Research shows up to 90% of managers are unhappy with traditional performance management systems - and for good reason. These systems often create what OnLoop founder JJ Ghatak calls "intellectual drudgery" while failing to drive real performance improvements or deliver actionable insights. In this compelling episode of The Learn-It-All Podast, Ghatak shares how his experiences as an Uber executive and Stanford MBA led him to completely reimagine performance management for the AI era. Through his work with OnLoop, Ghatak explores how companies can move beyond ineffective form-filling exercises to create genuine clarity, alignment and growth. He examines why current systems perpetuate workplace inequities, how AI can help level the playing field, and why emotional intelligence - not just cognitive ability - will become increasingly crucial as AI transforms knowledge work. Whether you're frustrated with your current performance management approach or simply want to build higher-performing teams, this conversation offers practical insights for modern leaders.  This Episode Covers:  Why traditional performance management systems fail and how they often reinforce workplace inequities through "eloquence bias" The five key layers of collaborative team development, starting with energy and motivation How AI can help extract meaningful insights from unstructured feedback while reducing administrative burden Why asking for feedback is more important than learning how to give it Why emotional intelligence and relationship-building will become more valuable than pure cognitive ability in the AI era The importance of psychological safety and trust in creating real performance improvements How to translate organizational clarity from the C-suite to every level of the company    Episode Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Projjal Ghatak – Damon introduces Projjal, CEO of OnLoop, and sets the stage for a discussion on rethinking performance management. (02:00) The Problem with Traditional Reviews – Projjal explains why current systems create intellectual drudgery and fail to deliver meaningful results. (05:30) The Five Pillars of Performance – Projjal introduces his collaborative team development framework, emphasizing energy, goals, feedback, and growth. (09:00) Aligning Individual and Team Goals – Projjal discusses how transparency and clarity around goals improve engagement and outcomes. (12:33) Building a Culture of Feedback – Projjal highlights the importance of regular, structured feedback in fostering personal and organizational growth. (17:00) Leveraging AI for Equity – Projjal explains how AI can reduce bias in feedback and performance reviews, creating a more level playing field. (21:30) Leadership and Emotional Intelligence – Projjal shares tips for leaders on fostering trust, vulnerability, and connection within their teams. (33:18) Practical Applications of OnLoop – Projjal demonstrates how OnLoop simplifies feedback and goal alignment to save time and improve results.(47:00) The Future of AI in Knowledge Work – Projjal reflects on how AI will reshape the workforce, shifting the focus to emotional and relational skills. About JJ: JJ (Projjal) Ghatak is a tech entrepreneur, WEF Tech Pioneer, and CEO of OnLoop, where he's leveraging GenAI to transform how managers lead and develop their teams in the modern workplace. Drawing from his leadership experiences at Uber and Accenture Strategy, combined with his Stanford MBA, he founded OnLoop in 2020 to pioneer the Collaborative Team Development (CTD) approach, which is now revolutionizing management practices across leading creative agencies and tech companies. As a naturalized Singaporean and angel investor, JJ focuses on the intersection of AI, workplace productivity, and the future of work, while actively coaching CEOs and helping scale the next generation of impactful technology companies.    Resources Referenced: A Time to Lead: Mastering Your Self . . . So You Can Master Your World by Craig Dowden JJ Ghatak on LinkedIn OnLoop Interview Hero by OnLoop Uber Doug Conant  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are you leveraging the power of service to accelerate your leadership and personal growth?  In this episode of The Learn-It-All Leader Podcast, GoBundance CEO Matt King shares an unconventional but powerful approach to leadership: serving others as a pathway to knowledge and success. If you’re ready to unlock new levels of learning and impact as a leader, this conversation will change how you view relationships, leadership, and growth. Matt and host Learnit CEO  Damon Lembi discuss leadership, vulnerability, and how serving others can lead to unexpected personal and professional growth. Matt shares practical examples of how he has built relationships through service, learned from some of the most successful people, and transformed GoBundance into a thriving community of high achievers. He offers insight into overcoming imposter syndrome, creating accountability, and the power of curiosity in leadership.  If you’re ready to unlock new levels of learning and impact as a leader, this conversation will change how you view relationships, leadership, and growth. This Episode Covers: Why “service is a Trojan horse to knowledge” and how serving others can fast-track your learning The role vulnerability plays in effective leadership and creating a winning culture How GoBundance’s 3 core principles (vulnerability, intimacy, accountability) foster personal and professional growth The importance of intentionality with time and how top leaders master their schedules How to overcome imposter syndrome and turn self-doubt into leadership confidence Practical strategies for creating a culture of accountability in your team or organization The value of continuous learning and surrounding yourself with peers who challenge you to grow  Chapters: (00:00) Introduction to Matt King – Damon introduces Matt King, CEO of GoBundance, and they discuss his philosophy of living a “big life” through accountability and intention. (01:38) Service as a Trojan Horse to Knowledge – Matt explains how serving others can lead to unexpected learning and growth opportunities. (03:43) What is GoBundance? – Matt describes GoBundance as a community of high-achieving individuals striving for continuous improvement in all aspects of life. (05:17) Creating an Environment for Vulnerability – Matt shares how GoBundance fosters a culture of accountability and connection through vulnerability. (09:22) Understanding and Delivering Value – Matt emphasizes the importance of asking the right questions to understand what members value most. (12:17) The Power of Accountability – Matt discusses why peer-to-peer and organizational accountability are essential for personal transformation. (15:54) Lessons from Successful Leaders – Matt shares key lessons learned from GoBundance members, including intentionality with time and the importance of lifelong learning. (19:12) Overcoming Imposter Syndrome – Matt reflects on his own experiences with self-doubt and offers strategies for turning the volume down on negative thoughts. (24:02) Leading with Vulnerability – Matt explains how embracing vulnerability builds trust and empowers teams to take ownership of their roles. (30:26) Shaping Organizational Culture – Matt shares how the Tribal Council model ensures GoBundance remains member-driven and aligned with its mission. (37:17) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Matt offers advice for leaders navigating challenges, emphasizing resilience, self-awareness, and the importance of taking action.  About Matt Matt King is the CEO of GoBundance, a mastermind community for high-achieving entrepreneurs and business leaders, where he focuses on fostering growth, accountability, and meaningful relationships. With experience in investments and leadership across multiple companies, Matt also manages DRO Investments, overseeing a diverse portfolio and leading strategic decisions. His approach to leadership emphasizes vulnerability, curiosity, and a relentless drive to improve, both personally and professionally and his mission is to inspire others to live with purpose and freedom by breaking free from conventional constraints and embracing continuous personal and professional improvement.   Resources Referenced: GoBundance Matt King's Instagram Matt King's website Matt King on LinkedIn The Savannah Bananas The Flow Over Fear Podcast The Fearless Family Business Podcast  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Are You Leading a Disengaged Team?  According to Gallup, 70% of employees are disengaged at work, with over half actively looking for new jobs. For a 600-person company, that means 420 people don't really care about what they're doing. This sobering reality costs the US economy $500 billion annually in stress-related absences alone. In this episode, Tom Willis, co-author of "The Great Engagement" and former CEO of Cornerstone, examines how leaders can transform their organizational culture from fear-based to purpose-driven. He explores the crucial connection between engagement and personal aspiration, explains why traditional engagement initiatives often fail, and provides practical strategies for creating a coaching culture that unlocks human potential.  This Episode Covers: Why asking "Are you open to feedback?" triggers the same brain response as hearing footsteps in the dark How unconscious "cultural mindsets" sabotage engagement and what leaders can do about it The paradox of slowing down to speed up organizational effectiveness Why engagement without personal aspiration is meaningless The critical difference between having "a high need for perfection" versus being "a perfectionist" How to "listen the greatness" out of people instead of trying to force development The power of switching from fear-based to "agape love" leadership The importance of creating psychological safety for authentic coaching relationships  Episode Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Tom Willis – Damon and Darren introduce Tom Willis, leadership consultant and culture expert, to discuss building exceptional workplace cultures. (02:00) The Cost of Disengagement – Tom shares alarming statistics about workplace disengagement and how leaders can take immediate action to address it. (05:30) Culture Eats Everything – Tom explains why culture is the most powerful tool a CEO has and how leaders can actively shape it. (08:33) Engagement Equals Action Plus Empowerment – Tom introduces his formula for engagement and shares why empowerment and alignment are key. (12:00) Overcoming Unconscious Purpose – Tom discusses how fear-based mindsets derail leadership and how leaders can shift to purpose-driven decision-making. (17:00) Coaching and the Role of Listening – Tom emphasizes the power of listening in leadership and how it unlocks potential within teams. (21:30) The Elevate System – Tom introduces his behavioral model, Elevate, designed to help leaders assess and adapt their leadership approach. (33:18) Practical Advice for CEOs – Tom shares advice for CEOs on creating a culture of trust, vulnerability, and accountability. (40:00) Final Thoughts on Leadership – Tom reflects on the importance of serving others and fostering agape love in the workplace.    About Tom: Tom Willis brings unique insights to leadership development, having served as both a school superintendent and CEO of Cornerstone. The co-author of The Great Engagement and creator of the Elevate System, Tom combines his education experience—including teaching in Africa—with business acumen from PricewaterhouseCoopers consulting. A graduate of Michigan and Notre Dame, he helps organizations build stronger cultures through conscious leadership practices.   Resources Referenced: The Great Engagement: How CEOs Create Exceptional Cultures by Tom Willis Phoenix Performance Partners The Elevate System Assessment The Interchange CEO group Tom Willis on LinkedIn  Podcast Contact Information: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

Tim Ohai, founder of Kopu Solutions and a growth architect, unpacks why most business strategies flop. He reveals that 95% of employees don't grasp their company's strategy, emphasizing the need for clarity and dynamic decision-making. Tim criticizes fear-based leadership, advocating for psychological safety and healthy tension to spur innovation. He introduces a framework prioritizing scope and alignment, and shares personal anecdotes highlighting the difference between stress and pressure in leadership, ultimately shaping more effective workplaces.

How Do You Build Trust When You're Not the Expert? What if the key to becoming a better leader isn't mastering your domain expertise but learning to lean on your team's knowledge instead?  In this enlightening conversation, Andre Thornton, CEO of Whitman Consulting, shares how being thrown into leading a billion-dollar aircraft sales operation with no prior experience taught him invaluable lessons about authentic leadership and building trust.  Andre joins co-hosts Damon Lembi and Darren Bridgett to discuss how his journey from mechanical engineer to leadership development consultant shaped his understanding of human behavior and organizational dynamics. Drawing from his engineering background, he brings a systematic approach to solving "people problems" while acknowledging the inherently irrational nature of human behavior. Thornton shares powerful insights about measuring success across multiple life dimensions, creating psychological safety, and leading through adversity. This Episode Covers: How measuring personal success across five key pillars (career, financial, spiritual, relationships, and health) can transform your approach to life and leadership Why understanding the "rationality within the irrational" is crucial for developing effective leadership strategies The power of viewing leadership as energy management rather than just process management How to maintain positive leadership during challenging times like layoffs and restructuring Why psychological safety requires giving people grace and creating space for authentic conversations The unexpected advantages of leading in areas where you're not the subject matter expert  Episode Highlights:  (00:00) Introduction to Andre Thornton Damon introduces Andre, highlighting his unique path from engineering to leadership development. (02:00) The Four Pillars of Success Andre shares the framework he uses to measure success across career, finances, relationships, and health. (05:30) Transitioning from Products to People Andre discusses his move from engineering to leadership and why understanding people is the ultimate challenge. (09:00) Emotional Intelligence and Neuroscience Andre explains the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership and how neuroscience provides tools for growth. (12:33) Leading Through Adversity Andre shares personal stories of overcoming challenges and how adversity has fueled his success. (17:00) Building Trust and Culture Andre talks about the role of trust in teams and why creating psychological safety is critical for cohesion and productivity. (21:30) The Importance of Vulnerability Andre emphasizes the power of vulnerability in leadership and how it fosters authenticity and connection. (33:18) Final Thoughts on Self-Discovery Andre offers advice on the never-ending journey of self-discovery and the importance of grace along the way. About Andre: Andre W. Thornton, CEO of Whitman Consulting, leverages his unique combination of mechanical engineering expertise and an MBA in finance to deliver evidence-based leadership development to major corporations including Microsoft, IBM, and Lockheed Martin.  Drawing from his experience co-leading initiatives that captured over $1B in new business and heading up organizations of up to 2,000 employees, Andre has established Whitman Consulting as a premier partner in leadership development, specializing in brain-based behavior change techniques.      Resources Referenced: Andre Thornton on LinkedIn Whitman Consulting  Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS by Shirzad Chamine Google's psychological safety research Dr. Craig Dowden's work on positive leadership The ATD (Association for Talent Development) conference Podcast Contact:Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates. 

What if you could build trust with your team and make a real impact—not just in your sales numbers, but through genuine relationships? In this insightful episode of The Learn-It-All Leader Podcast, seasoned sales leader, Charles Thompson shares the stories of how he overcame personal challenges, applied leadership lessons from his sports to his business career, and redefined the role of a sales leader.  Learnit CEO Damon Lembi and Director of Learning Experience Courtney Ritchie sit down with Charles to discuss the importance of competition, hard work, and trust-building for leaders and the role of personal branding—both inside and outside the workplace. Whether you’re a seasoned leader or just starting out, Charles’s insights and actionable advice on trust, loyalty, competition, and personal branding will help you lead with more confidence and clarity.   This Episode Covers: The transformative power of competition and hard work in sales and leadership Why the best leaders go beyond "open-door policies" to engage with their teams How to build a personal brand on LinkedIn that attracts demand and opportunities The importance of leaders taking responsibility for their teams’ failures and successes Tips for fostering trust within teams and balancing vulnerability with authority The connection between sports coaching and effective business leadership Why every salesperson should embrace LinkedIn for career growth How to communicate feedback constructively to build stronger relationships   Episode Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Charles Thompson – Damon introduces Charles, former college athlete and sales leader, highlighting his journey from adversity to success. (02:00) Overcoming Early Challenges – Charles shares how growing up in a difficult environment and choosing football helped him stay on a positive path. (05:00) Lessons from Sports – Charles reflects on how sports taught him discipline, hard work, and the importance of loving what you do. (09:00) Transitioning Out of Athletics – Charles discusses the challenges of leaving football and finding a new passion in coaching and sales. (12:33) Mentorship and Coaching – Charles emphasizes the role of great coaches and mentors in shaping his decisions and helping him build resilience. (17:00) Becoming a Sales Leader – Charles shares insights on how he transitioned into sales and developed his leadership style. (21:30) Personal Branding on LinkedIn – Charles explains the importance of building a personal brand and how LinkedIn has transformed sales networking. (33:18) Advice for Young Sales Professionals – Charles offers practical advice for those starting their sales careers, emphasizing the value of competition, hard work, and authenticity.  About Charles: Charles Thompson is a sales leader with over eight years of experience, a former college football player, and a father of four (with a fifth on the way!). An account executive at Experian, he leverages his experiences in sports and coaching to help clients make confident decisions and build strong personal brands driving success in the data and analytics space. Charles is passionate about leadership, helping others, and building strong personal brands.   Resources Referenced: Charles Thompson on LinkedIn Teach for America The 1999 Rams Team Roster Book: Playing for Pizza by John Grisham Omar Halabieh on the Learn-It-All Podcast  Podcast Contact: Website: www.learnit.com Email: podcast@learnit.com Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.