About the Guest(s):

Damon Lembi is a seasoned professional whose career evolution reflects a profound journey from athletics to business leadership. He hails from the San Francisco Bay area and had an aspiring career in baseball, from which he garnered invaluable leadership skills. Damon's decisive pivot took him to the corporate sector, where he climbed the ranks from receptionist to CEO in the training company Learn It. Under his stewardship, Learn It has delivered impactful training to over 1.9 million individuals, emphasizing continuous growth and the adoption of a learner's mindset in leadership.

Episode Summary:

In this celebratory episode marking the 6th anniversary of the show, host Trevor welcomes Damon Lembi to explore the principles of impactful leadership and the transformative power of a learning mindset. The conversation traverses the trajectory from Damon’s athletic background to his leadership philosophy, providing actionable insights for fostering team success and personal growth.

The episode delves into Damon’s transition from a would-be professional baseball career to pioneering success in the learning and development industry. It highlights the significance of aligning team members’ strengths with company aspirations and the operational agility needed to overcome adversities such as the pandemic. The discussion also touches on combating imposter syndrome with a straightforward, three-step process and the importance of cultivating accountability within teams.

Resources:

Chapters:

(0:00:00) The importance of leaders adapting to different employees  

(0:01:55) How Damon’s athletic background shaped his approach to leadership  

(0:04:05) Career transitions and reinventing oneself  

(0:07:11) Damon’s journey from being a receptionist to becoming CEO  

(0:10:39) The value of hiring for potential over experience  

(0:12:34) The importance of passion and commitment  

(0:14:43) Hiring individuals of all ages and backgrounds for their potential and fresh perspectives  

(0:17:05) Overcoming age discrimination by addressing stereotypes and showcasing adaptability and openness to learning  

(0:17:58) The concept of being a "learn it all" leader and the value of curiosity and humility  

(0:25:08) Damon's three-step approach to overcoming imposter syndrome  

(0:27:20) Celebrating achievements and learning from mistakes  

(0:32:48) The importance of trying new things and not being afraid to make mistakes  

(0:36:05) The importance of accountability in society  

(0:41:34) The importance of empathy and understanding in dealing with customer service interactions  

(0:42:49) Taking accountability for their actions instead of blaming others  

(0:45:56) Damon introduces his company, LearnIt  

(0:49:57) The importance of showing up and providing feedback