173: The 80% Rule: How Leaders Can Overcome Fear, Stress, and Self-Doubt | Derek Sloan

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Written By damon lembi

Derek Sloan, Licensed Therapist, Executive Coach, and Founder of Abridge Leadership, brings a powerful lens to leadership - one that blends mental health expertise with real-world business acumen. In this episode, host Damon Lembi and Derek explore why stress and self-doubt feel so “normal” at work, and what leaders can do to disrupt this cycle for themselves and their teams.

Read the full breakdown of Derek Sloan’s episode on Learnit.

Key Leadership Lessons from Derek Sloan’s Journey:

  • Stress doesn’t have to be your default. 80% of our daily thoughts are negative - but that doesn't mean they should run the show. Leaders must actively shift from fear-based reactions to intentional, values-based action.

  • “Normalized dysfunction” is costing your team more than you think. When stress becomes the standard, organizations quietly lose clarity, connection, and top talent. Recognizing this is step one; breaking the cycle is step two.

  • Vulnerability is your most underrated leadership tool. Done right, it builds trust, deepens relationships, and creates psychological safety - especially in remote and hybrid environments.

Connect with Derek Sloan:

Derek’s insights have helped top-tier executives move from burnout to breakthrough - and this conversation will help you do the same.

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

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174: How to Build Self-Aware Leaders: The Framework That Scales Culture | Erin Lewellen
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172: Why A-Players Crash as Managers (The 5 Truths New Leaders Must Learn) | Damon Lembi