292: The Ancient Leadership Principle That The Top 1% Leaders Know | DJ Vanas
Release Date:
May 5, 2026
Release Date: May 5
What if the strongest leaders aren’t the ones who fight alone, but the ones who know how to serve, protect, and build a tribe around them?
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with internationally acclaimed speaker and bestselling author, DJ Vanas, to unpack an ancient leadership principle that still separates top leaders from average managers: real warriors are contributors, protectors, and servants who develop themselves so they can serve others at a higher level.
DJ reframes the warrior through a Native American tribal lens, far away from the Hollywood version of toughness. He explains why great leadership is about building your tribe by design, earning respect rather than chasing approval, giving honest feedback with care, and building trust through small, high-quality interactions where people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Damon and DJ also explore resilience, self-awareness, humility, lifelong learning, and why leaders cannot serve well if they are falling apart themselves. From DJ’s Air Force experience to the wisdom of elders and his own personal challenges, this conversation is packed with practical leadership lessons for anyone who wants to lead with courage, serve with purpose, and become the kind of person others can count on.
What You’ll Learn:
Why “if I want it done right, I’ll do it myself” is the fastest path to burnout and how great leaders learn to delegate and develop others instead.
How to build your “tribe by design” by surrounding yourself with people who protect your dreams, challenge your thinking, and help you grow.
The self-awareness question DJ uses during tough moments: “What story am I telling myself right now?” and how that story shapes your outcome.
Why failure should expand your perspective, not shrink it, and how to pull the right lessons instead of letting one bad experience define you.
How trust is built through small, high-quality interactions when leaders are fully present and genuinely willing with their time.
Why you can’t lead at a high level if you’re falling apart and why self-care is a non-negotiable part of leadership, not a luxury.
How DJ uses intentional daily practices like meditation, journaling, exercise, sleep, and solitude to stay grounded, disciplined, and effective as a leader.
In This Episode:
00:00 Episode preview and introduction
03:05 Why top performers struggle when they become leaders
04:35 The fastest way leaders accidentally burn themselves out
06:07 How to build your tribe by design, not by accident
09:19 The slow drip poison of surrounding yourself with dream killers
11:26 Why honest feedback only works when trust is already there
14:51 The paradox that hits when you need people the most
15:54 The self-awareness question that can pull you out of autopilot
20:38 The Mark Twain lesson most leaders learn too late
22:31 How DJ turned one of his hardest seasons into deeper service
26:45 The warrior principles leaders can use today
28:49 The six tribal roles that still apply to modern leadership
30:27 The hard choice every chief has to make
35:12 How great leaders bring hidden potential out of their people
40:21 The elder lesson DJ says is hard to unhear
42:56 Why humility keeps leaders green and growing
44:33 The ego trap that keeps leaders stuck
50:51 Why you cannot be a warrior when you are falling apart
51:41 The habits DJ uses to protect his energy and leadership
55:52 Why getting older is automatic, but becoming an elder is not
57:48 Why organizations bring DJ in to build resilience and mental toughness
1:00:27 Where to find DJ Vanas
About DJ Vanas:
DJ Vanas is an internationally recognized speaker, bestselling author, and enrolled member of the Ottawa Tribe of Michigan. Through his work, DJ teaches leaders and organizations how to apply traditional warrior principles to modern leadership, resilience, service, and personal development. He is the author of The Warrior Within and The Tiny Warrior, and has delivered his message to hundreds of tribal nations, corporations, government agencies, schools, and leadership teams across the country. Drawing from Native American traditions, his Air Force background, and decades of work with servant leaders, DJ helps people strengthen their mindset, build resilience, take better care of themselves, and serve their tribe with courage, humility, and purpose.
