80: What’s Eroding Trust in Your Team? 10 Leadership Mistakes to Avoid | Damon Lembi

Release Date:

Oct 23

What Are the Biggest Mistakes Leaders Make—and Are You Making Them Too?

Have you ever wondered why some leaders struggle while others thrive? What are the common mistakes that bad bosses make, and how can you avoid falling into the same traps? In this episode, we explore the pitfalls that many leaders face and offer practical advice on how to lead with integrity, empathy, and effectiveness.

In this episode of “The Learn-It-All Podcast,” host Damon Lembi, CEO of Learnit, reflects on his personal experiences with both great and terrible leaders. He outlines the 10 most common leadership mistakes that bad bosses make, offering actionable insights on how to correct these behaviors. Whether you're new to leadership or a seasoned professional, this episode will challenge you to reflect on your own leadership style and make improvements that will build trust and enhance your team’s performance.

What You’ll Learn:

The 10 most common mistakes that bad leaders make and how to avoid them
Why taking credit for your team’s work erodes trust and motivation
How creating a “yes” environment stifles innovation and leads to disengagement
The importance of giving feedback privately and consistently keeping promises to your team
Why keeping toxic high performers can destroy company culture in the long run

In This Episode:

(00:00) Introduction – Damon introduces the episode and shares why learning from both good and bad leaders is crucial for growth.
(01:00) Mistake #1: Taking Credit for Team Wins – Damon explains why great leaders give credit to their teams and take responsibility when things go wrong.
(02:00) Mistake #2: Creating a Yes Environment – Damon discusses how bad bosses stifle innovation by making their word the law, discouraging open dialogue.
(03:00) Mistake #3: Getting Defensive – Damon reflects on how defensive leaders repel feedback and miss valuable opportunities for growth.
(04:00) Mistake #4: Criticizing in Public – Damon emphasizes the importance of giving feedback privately and praising team members publicly to build trust.
(05:00) Mistake #5: Overpromising and Underproducing – Damon shares why leaders must be careful with commitments and how failing to deliver destroys credibility.
(06:00) Mistake #6: Gossiping – Damon warns leaders about the dangers of gossiping and how it erodes trust within teams.
(07:00) Mistake #7: Being Inconsistent – Damon reflects on how consistently canceling meetings sends the message that your team isn’t important.
(08:00) Mistake #8: Not Being Present – Damon discusses the importance of giving your undivided attention to team members during meetings and conversations.
(09:00) Mistake #9: Failing to Delegate – Damon explains why not delegating stifles your team’s growth and limits your own ability to lead effectively.
(10:00) Mistake #10: Keeping Toxic High Performers – Damon shares why keeping high performers who lack integrity can damage company culture and demotivate other team members.

About Our Guest:

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 Referenced: