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

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. 

In this episode, 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? 

Timestamps:  

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: 

• Learnit: Https://www.learnit.com
• The Learn-It-All Leader: Mindset, Traits, and Tools by Damon Lembi:  
• https://a.co/d/azzNKWM  
• Good Decisions Equals Success by Damon Lembi & Kandis Porter:  
• https://a.co/d/hJhnRJU  
• Damon Lembi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi 

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