249: What Elite Sports Teams Know About Building Culture That You Don’t | Ken Crenshaw

Release Date: Nov 25

Teams that win don’t just master the playbook—they master trust, connection, and shared purpose. On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Ken Crenshaw, longtime Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, to uncover how lasting cultures are built—on and off the field. Ken shares his journey from a New Mexico cattle ranch to MLB dugouts, revealing powerful lessons from decades shaping elite teams in Atlanta, Tampa Bay, and Arizona. From the hidden cost of trying to be the smartest person in the room, to the power of servant leadership and collective decision-making, Ken walks us through the real playbook for coaching greatness out of every team member. Loaded with stories, practical tools, and wisdom from the pros, this is an episode for anyone ready to lead with more authenticity, trust, and results.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why vulnerability is a leader’s superpower—and how it builds buy-in and trust
• The hidden pitfalls of “smartest in the room” thinking, and what true influence looks like
• How to source collective wisdom across your organization (so you never miss in hiring again)
• What inclusion, feedback, and responsibility look like in a real culture of learning
• Ken’s favorite interview questions—and how he grooms future leaders by letting them run the show
• How team values move off the wall and into daily action (with real steps you can use)

In This Episode:

• 00:00 — Leading with vulnerability: why trust starts with you
• 01:34 — Why “There’s more power in the team than in you”
• 03:14 — The myth of having all the answers as a leader
• 08:04 — Ken’s small-town roots and the butterfly effect of great coaches
• 11:39 — Coach Becker’s formula for unlocking greatness in others
• 14:12 — How Ken developed his true purpose and a servant leadership mindset
• 17:17 — Early career: from carrying gear to building teams in MLB
• 21:28 — Biggest leadership lessons from making mistakes in hiring
• 24:28 — The interview playbook: screening for character, work ethic, and fit
• 27:59 — Delegating real responsibility to build next-gen leaders
• 31:11 — Shaping team culture: the “uncommon,” 108-stitch Diamondbacks ethos
• 36:35 — From words to action: how values get lived, not laminated
• 39:04 — The power of feedback (and why most leaders avoid it)
• 44:32 — Psychological safety, responsibility, and showing up for your team
• 46:32 — Shared leadership: giving everyone a voice in key decisions
• 50:08 — Why the lowest person in the org matters most
• 52:13 — “Leadership factories”: how Ken’s system creates leaders everywhere
• 55:59 — Life-changing moments from Ken’s team building events

About Ken Crenshaw

Ken Crenshaw is the Director of Sports Medicine and Performance for the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he’s spent decades building winning cultures and developing world-class teams. Beginning his journey on a cattle ranch in New Mexico, Ken’s leadership DNA was shaped by transformative coaches and a belief in the power of collective knowledge. After key stints with the Atlanta Braves and Tampa Bay Rays—where he pioneered shared decision-making and leadership development—Ken has become renowned across Major League Baseball as a culture-builder, mentor, and “Santa365” to his staff. His mission: help people achieve more than they thought possible by leading with love and service.

‍Resources Referenced:

• Arizona Diamondbacks
• Stephen M.R. Covey on Trust & Inspire Leadership
• Game Changer by Devin Bandison (Leadership development course referenced)
• John Maxwell’s teaching on “The Law of the Lid” (John Maxwell on Leadership)
• Bob Chapman’s philosophy (“Everybody is somebody’s son or daughter”)—More on Barry-Wehmiller
• Coach Pat Murphy

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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