213: Why Confidence Comes From Action, Not Thoughts | Damon Lembi

Update: 2025-09-10

Description

In this empowering solo episode, Damon Lembi tackles imposter syndrome head-on, drawing inspiration from Oprah’s conversations with icons like Obama and Beyoncé, to moments of his own self-doubt on stage and in the boardroom. Damon unveils his proven four-step framework for overcoming the fear and uncertainty that plagues even the most accomplished professionals. Whether you’re a new manager, a seasoned leader, or someone ready to take your shot at something bigger, this episode delivers actionable advice, practical exercises, and a rallying call to step out of your comfort zone and into your next level.

From labeling your fear to harnessing the power of deliberate practice, this is your roadmap to building confidence, beating self-doubt, and leading with courage.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

Why even the most successful people struggle with imposter syndrome (and why that’s normal)
Damon's four-step framework to overcome self-doubt and step confidently into new opportunities
The power of “purposeful awfulizing” to reframe your biggest fears
Why action (not just planning) is the secret ingredient to building real confidence
The role of deliberate practice in mastering new leadership skills
How letting go and learning from every experience accelerates your growth

Timestamps:

00:00 – Imposter syndrome isn’t a weakness—it’s a human experience

00:40 – Damon’s story: Coaching baseball in his 20s with no experience

01:30 – Learning to lead when you feel unqualified

02:00 – Why confidence often comes after the reps, not before

02:40 – Brené Brown, Jamie Foxx, and others who’ve spoken up about this

03:20 – Reframing imposter syndrome as a signal—not a flaw

04:00 – Lesson #1: You don’t have to be the expert—just be in service

04:30 – Lesson #2: Get radically honest about your fears (then move anyway)

05:15 – Lesson #3: Curiosity beats confidence

06:00 – Lesson #4: Preparation quiets the noise

06:45 – Lesson #5: Talk to yourself the way you’d talk to a friend

07:30 – Damon’s go-to journaling prompt when imposter syndrome hits

08:15 – A challenge to leaders: Name where you're holding back

About Damon Lembi

Damon Lembi is a 3x 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.

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