284: Former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster on Confidence, Reinvention, and Why Education Is Freedom | Jim Keyes

Release Date:
Written By damon lembi

Jim Keyes, former CEO of 7-Eleven and Blockbuster and author of Education Is Freedom, shares hard-earned lessons on leadership, reinvention, and why confidence is built through knowledge and continuous learning. Drawing from his experience leading a turnaround at 7-Eleven and navigating one of the most turbulent periods in Blockbuster’s history, Jim reveals how leaders can transform fear and disruption into opportunity. In this episode, host Damon Lembi and Jim Keyes explore leadership, reinvention, and lifelong learning—covering confidence under pressure, crisis leadership, communication strategies, and why education remains the ultimate form of freedom in a rapidly changing world.

Read the full breakdown of Jim Keyes’s episode on Learnit.

Key Leadership Lessons from Jim Keyes’ Journey

  • Confidence is learned: Knowledge, preparation, and repetition build the belief that you can solve almost any problem.

  • Education creates freedom: Learning expands options, opportunity, and the ability to adapt during disruption.

  • Leaders must replace fear with clarity: Direct communication, continuous learning, and strong character keep organizations steady during uncertainty.

Connect with Jim Keyes

Jim’s work focuses on leadership reinvention, learning agility, and helping organizations turn disruption into opportunity through knowledge and adaptability.

Explore more episodes of the Learn-It-All Podcast™ on Learnit.com to gain leadership insights from top experts.

Learn more about how Learnit helps organizations and follow the Learn-It-All™ podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube.

damon lembi
Next

283: Why Your Brain Shuts Down Under Pressure | Rob Kalwarowsky