192: How To Be the Kind of Leader Your Team Never Wants To Let Down | Damon Lembi

Release Date: July 16

Winning teams—and great companies—aren't built through pressure, they're built through belief and connection.

In this energizing solo episode, host Damon Lembi unpacks what it really takes to become a great leader people respect too much to disappoint. Drawing on personal stories from his college baseball days and decades leading at Learnit, Damon explains why the best leaders don’t motivate through fear—but by genuinely believing in their people before they believe in themselves. If you want to foster a team culture where trust, psychological safety, and growth thrive, these actionable insights are your starting lineup. Damon shares practical tools and a quick challenge you can start using this week to build respect, accountability, and a platform for your team to shine.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why belief—not pressure—drives peak performance and lasting accountability
• The science behind psychological safety and why it’s essential for risk-taking and innovation
• Damon's “JP” story: how authentic connection from a mentor changes everything
• Two simple, powerful actions you can use immediately to earn real respect as a leader
• How to stretch your team and still have their back, even when they stumble
• The ultimate test of respect: Will your team give their all even when you’re not watching?

In This Episode:

• 00:00 – The kind of leader people don’t want to disappoint
• 00:40 – Story: Damon’s coach JP and the Knoxville series
• 01:45 – Why belief—not fear—unlocked Damon’s performance
• 02:15 – Research from Amy Edmondson: 67% more likely to play it safe without psychological safety
• 02:45 – Respect can’t be demanded; it must be earned
• 03:15 – Learnit’s 30-year celebration: stories from employees past and present
• 03:45 – Leadership is about giving others the platform—not hogging the spotlight
• 04:00 – Two habits to earn real respect:
  
  •   1. Connect beyond deadlines
  •   2. Stretch through belief, autonomy, and support
• 04:45 – The 6-month test: Would your team still bring their best if you stepped away?
• 05:15 – Final reflection: See people. Believe in them. Give them a shot.
• 05:45 – Weekly challenge: Tell one person what you see in them
• 06:00 – Rate, review, and share if this resonated
  

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:

• Damon on LinkedIn
• Learnit
• The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi
• Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter

Want to Learn More?:  

• Website: www.learnit.com
• Email: podcast@learnit.com‍
• Follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for more updates.

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