305: "I Didn't Think I Was a Leader" — Then He Captained the All Blacks 52 Times | Kieran Read
Release Date:
June 23, 2026
Release Date: June 23
What if the secret to elite leadership isn't a natural-born talent, but a learned skill forged through vulnerability and connection? Many emerging leaders struggle with imposter syndrome, questioning if they are "good enough" to lead more experienced peers or step into high-pressure roles.
In this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon sits down with Kieran Read, former captain of the legendary New Zealand All Blacks, to discuss the transition from high-performing individual contributor to world-class leader. Kieran reveals why the most impactful leaders lead through authentic action rather than "big speeches," how to build trust by initiating care and connection first, and the importance of having the courage to be "uncomfortable" to achieve true growth.
Whether you are a first-time manager or a senior director, Kieran’s insights on "horizontal leadership" and empowering those around you will help you develop the confidence to lead your team toward excellence.
Why trying to emulate a "movie version" of a leader often fails, and how sticking to your personal values and personality builds more trust and connection with your team.
How to build a foundation of care and connection through simple daily interactions like sitting with someone new at lunch, before attempting to hold people to high levels of accountability.
Strategies for young leaders to gain respect from senior team members by utilizing their expertise and focusing on owning your specific role rather than trying to do everything yourself.
Why a leader must "flip a switch" from disappointment back to work to best prepare their team for the next challenge.
Why the number one job of a coach or leader is to build a team member's confidence until they are ready to believe in their own "invincibility".
In This Episode:
0:00 - Introduction
1:17 - The dream Kieran Read never thought was realistic
2:52 - When a coach sees the leader before you do
4:50 - The first thing new leaders should figure out
7:33 - How to lead people older and more experienced than you
9:11 - The leadership mistake TV teaches you to make
10:25 - The loss that taught Kieran he was trying too hard
11:47 - Why the best teams don’t depend on one leader
13:28 - The phone call every New Zealand kid dreams of
15:04 - Walking into a locker room full of legends
20:03 - What to do when your ego gets bruised
21:39 - What Richie McCaw quietly taught about leadership
25:13 - Taking over after a legend without copying him
27:38 - Why leaders need to connect before they correct
30:26 - The hidden weight of leading under pressure
32:12 - How trust makes hard conversations easier
34:02 - The conversation leaders avoid until it costs them
38:38 - The price of being someone people look up to
40:50 - The seven-month reflection that changed his next chapter
44:38 - Why belief has to come before confidence
46:13 - The coach’s real job isn’t technical
47:12 - Inside Kieran’s Human Endeavour leadership program
49:59 - Why leadership is learned, not born
51:26 - The snowball effect of better leaders
52:07 - The legacy that matters more than winning
About Kieran Read:
Kieran Read is a legendary figure in international sports, having captained the New Zealand All Blacks 52 times during a career that included two World Cup championships. Rising from a self-described "shy kid" to a global leader, Kieran transitioned into professional leadership coaching after a period of intense self-reflection and academic study of applied management. Today, he is a keynote speaker and the creator of The Human Endeavour, a program dedicated to distilling his years of high-performance experience into actionable leadership pillars for the corporate and sporting worlds.
