Leaders & Legacies

Damon Lembi shares powerful insights on how great leaders prioritize continuous learning, foster curiosity, and create environments where failure becomes a stepping stone to success. He emphasizes the critical role of empowering teams, allowing space for mistakes, and modeling the behaviors leaders expect from their teams.

The conversation delves into the thin margins that separate good leaders from great ones, highlighting the mental resilience and humility required to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing world. Damon shares practical advice for building learning organizations and explains why investing in employee development delivers unparalleled ROI. His journey and anecdotes demonstrate how great leaders build cultures of trust, accountability, and purpose.

Damon’s approach challenges the status quo, urging leaders to embrace curiosity, make bold decisions, and cultivate an organizational mindset of adaptability and growth.

Want to learn more about Damon Lembi's work? Check out their website at https://Learnit.com.

Connect with Damon Lembi on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/damonlembi/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Your host, Craig Andrews, talks with the CEO of The Johnson Leadership Group, Kevin Johnson. Kevin's journey is an inspiring one. After graduating from college during a recession, he found it challenging to secure employment. However, following his mother's advice, he applied for a job in the federal government and was selected. This marked the beginning of his 34-year career in government, where he worked in various roles related to acquisition and contracting.

His responsibilities ranged from purchasing goods and services for his agency, from office supplies to major weapon systems. He enjoyed his role as it allowed him to be a property manager, negotiator, and even part attorney. After 25 years, Kevin transitioned to a different work role to gain more experience and perspective.

During our conversation, Kevin shared some valuable leadership lessons. He emphasized the importance of communication and understanding in leadership. Leaders, he believes, need to have conversations with their team members to determine the best fit for them and address any stagnation. By being good listeners, leaders demonstrate that they care about what their team members have to say.

Kevin also highlighted three fundamental needs that everyone has: affirmation, a sense of belonging, and inclusion. Leaders should appreciate and acknowledge their team members, make them feel part of a tribe or community, and ensure they feel included. These three needs are crucial for individuals' well-being and can contribute to their overall happiness and productivity.

Kevin's involvement in suicide prevention is another aspect of his work that he shared. He noticed an increasing feeling of isolation, loneliness, and depression among people, leading to thoughts of suicide. Kevin is passionate about raising awareness and educating others on this topic. Kevin was appointed as the faith community commissioner on the Commission for Suicide Prevention in Maryland, where he works to share information, manage state plans, and collaborate with faith community leaders.

To learn more about Kevin's work, check out their website at https://thejohnsonleadershipgroup.com/.

Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwaynejohnson/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Steve Duddy doesn’t just lead companies—he shapes cultures, mentors future leaders, and makes bold moves under pressure. In this episode, he shares hard-earned leadership lessons from the operating room to the boardroom. From his early days in medical device sales to running multimillion-dollar divisions, Steve reveals how leadership is less about credentials and more about people.

He discusses how real leadership happens in uncertainty—when the path forward is unclear and the stakes are high. He explains how he guided teams through SEC audits, product shortages, and pandemic disruptions without losing trust or momentum. Steve also breaks down how to turn adversity into creativity, and why asking the right questions matters more than having all the answers.

Steve believes strong leadership builds environments where people want to give their best—because they feel seen, supported, and challenged. His leadership style balances structure with adaptability and ambition with empathy. Whether mentoring a first-time CEO or rallying a startup team, Steve shows what it really means to lead with purpose.

Want to learn more about Steve Duddy's work? Check out their website at https://www.DuddyExecutiveServicesInc.com.

Connect with Steve Duddy on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveduddy/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.

Ken Cox doesn’t just talk about leadership—he builds systems that enable it. In this episode, Ken shares how a turbulent upbringing and early tech exposure shaped his leadership style. From hanging around small-town entrepreneurs to diving into the early days of the internet, Ken turned challenges into fuel. He opens up about his dyslexia and how technology gave him a voice, eventually becoming a champion for small businesses and digital empowerment.

Ken explains why he treats AI like employees—and why leadership in the AI era means creating systems that manage, train, and direct those “digital hires.” He urges leaders to stop fearing AI and start leading it. The result? Businesses that run smarter, faster, and leaner.

Whether it’s streamlining customer service or qualifying leads, Ken breaks down how focused AI tools can give business owners time to lead—not just manage chaos.

Want to learn more about Ken Cox's work? Check out his website at https://inlink.com/

Connect with Ken Cox on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kencox/

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/

David Contorno, founder of E Powered Benefits, sheds light on how business leaders can significantly reduce healthcare costs while improving employee outcomes. Contorno explains that the current healthcare system is not broken—it’s working as designed, benefiting insurers and hospitals while leaving employers and employees with skyrocketing costs. His solution? Leaders need to start asking different questions. By challenging traditional assumptions, Contorno’s strategies—such as direct primary care and transparent provider relationships—help businesses save up to 50% on healthcare costs. This leadership approach empowers companies to provide better care at lower costs, ensuring long-term sustainability.

Want to learn more about David Contorno's work? Check out his website at https://www.epoweredbenefits.com/.

Connect with David Contorno on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dcontorno/.

Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply at https://podcast.allies4me.com/podcast-guest/.

Want to learn more about Craig Andrew's work at allies4me? Check out his website at https://allies4me.com/.