the Learn-It-All™ podcast

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.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In this episode, you’ll learn...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".Timestamps0:00 - Introduction1:17 - The dream Kieran Read never thought was realistic2:52 - When a coach sees the leader before you do4:50 - The first thing new leaders should figure out7:33 - How to lead people older and more experienced than you9:11 - The leadership mistake TV teaches you to make10:25 - The loss that taught Kieran he was trying too hard11:47 - Why the best teams don’t depend on one leader13:28 - The phone call every New Zealand kid dreams of15:04 - Walking into a locker room full of legends20:03 - What to do when your ego gets bruised21:39 - What Richie McCaw quietly taught about leadership25:13 - Taking over after a legend without copying him27:38 - Why leaders need to connect before they correct30:26 - The hidden weight of leading under pressure32:12 - How trust makes hard conversations easier34:02 - The conversation leaders avoid until it costs them38:38 - The price of being someone people look up to40:50 - The seven-month reflection that changed his next chapter44:38 - Why belief has to come before confidence46:13 - The coach’s real job isn’t technical47:12 - Inside Kieran’s Human Endeavour leadership program49:59 - Why leadership is learned, not born51:26 - The snowball effect of better leaders52:07 - The legacy that matters more than winningAbout Kieran ReadKieran 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.Resources and MentionsKieran Read’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kieran-read-00821384/Kieran Read’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kieranread08/The Human Endeavour Program: https://www.redseed.com/kieranread-leadershipKieran Read’s website: https://www.kieranread.co.nz/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X

Are you launching great ideas only to watch them fall apart at the finish line?Many organizations struggle with execution because they start with a creative idea rather than a foundational strategy. In this episode of The Learn-It-All™ Podcast, Damon sits down with Jamie Shaver, a strategic marketing leader who specializes in helping companies "get amped" and win. Jamie reveals why a "confused mind says no", whether it's a prospect on your website or an employee tasked with a new initiative. They discuss the critical internal-external alignment needed for success, why 95% of AI projects fail to get past the pilot phase, and how to stop "lollygagging" by implementing core values that actually drive accountability.If you’re tired of mediocre marketing and inconsistent leadership messaging, Jamie shares her blueprint for flipping the script: starting with strategy to give birth to messaging that sticks.📘 Get a FREE copy of The Learn-It-All Leader Book: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/3ingcx2pp5In this episode, you’ll learn...Why jumping straight to creative output creates execution gapsHow to use the same principles you use to win external clients, like identifying pain points and ideal profiles to gain internal buy-in for new initiatives.How a lack of workflow integration and unaddressed employee fears about job security keep 95% of AI projects in "pilot purgatory."How to move beyond generic values like "integrity" to descriptive behaviors that empower teams to tackle antiquated platforms and changing interfaces.Jamie’s exact method for sussing out a victim mentality by asking candidates to finish the sentence: "I would be a better leader if..."Why the best leaders learn to let the silence sit during an interview to truly understand a candidate's emotional maturity and intuition.How to protect your team’s culture by exercising your option to give notice to clients who don't align with your core values.Timestamps00:00 — Introduction01:13 — Why great ideas still fall apart02:37 — The Slack message that creates chaos04:21 — Why 95% of AI projects stall07:24 — The questions leaders skip before launching AI08:46 — Why slowing down makes teams faster12:51 — The small things that build real trust15:23 — The sentence every team needs to hear18:22 — When flexibility starts creating confusion19:37 — What to do when someone “crushes it” in less time20:58 — The second question that reveals motivation22:29 — Why canceling one-on-ones sends the wrong message23:36 — Core values you can actually fire by24:28 — Why “figure it out” became a core value26:42 — The interview question that exposes ownership28:21 — How to spot a victim mindset before hiring29:38 — Why silence might be your best interview tool31:19 — The belief Jamie has about every leader34:44 — How AMPED keeps values off the wall36:18 — The rebel value every company needs39:16 — How leaders create safety for hard feedback42:11 — The scoreboard that scares the wrong people43:32 — When a client deserves to be cut45:09 — Why mediocre marketing is everywhere46:51 — The bicycle wheel lesson for better strategy53:04 — Damon’s challenge for leaders and teamsAbout Jamie ShaverJamie Shaver is a strategic leader at AMPED, a full-service strategic marketing agency dedicated to eradicating marketing mediocrity. She works with mid-size B2B businesses, manufacturing companies, and global brands to build comprehensive strategies that drive measurable wins. Jamie is a proponent of "truth in love" leadership and believes that small things done consistently are what build lasting trust in any organization.Resources and MentionsJamie Shaver’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-shaver-ampedAMPED’s website: https://ampedstrategy.com/Podcast Contact Information:Website: www.learnit.comEmail: podcast@learnit.comSubscribe to the Learn-It-All Podcast: Youtube I Apple I SpotifyFollow Damon Lembi: Linkedin I Instagram I Facebook I X