The best cultures aren’t built on fearlessness—they’re built on everyday bravery, honest conversations, and the courage to take one small step at a time. On this episode of the Learn-It-All™ podcast, Damon welcomes Chief Bravery Officer Nicole Bianchi, bestselling author and keynote speaker, for an unflinching look at why bravery isn’t a superpower you’re born with—but a daily practice anyone can build. Nicole Bianchi shares what science tells us about the brain’s hardwired response to risk, the role of “small brave moves” in rewiring our mindset, and how leaders at every level can use bravery as their competitive advantage. From the five tough talks every leader needs to master, to the power of “not now” and practical tips for courageous conversations about AI, this episode is a toolkit for anyone ready to grow, lead, or even reinvent themselves.

Whether you’re a seasoned executive or a new manager, you’ll find real-life stories, actionable frameworks, and liberating reminders that bravery is built—not born.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why bravery is an acquired behavior—and how to start practicing it through small, intentional moves
• The neuroscience behind fear and the tools to rewire your brain for growth instead of avoidance
• The nine mindsets and habits that drive everyday courage in leadership, with a focus on hope, intention, and embracing uncertainty
• Nicole Bianchi's framework for the five “tough talks” every leader must have (with conversation starters for each)
• How to set boundaries, get comfortable saying “not now,” and avoid burnout in a leadership role
• The real way to drive organizational culture change, foster brave conversations about AI, and model bravery from the C-suite on down

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why our brains default to fear—and how brave moves build growth

01:40 – Nicole Bianchi’s first small brave move and entrepreneurial leap

03:02 – The questions that shrank Nicole Bianchi fear (and can shrink yours)

04:39 – The value of permission to experiment & self-compassion for failure

05:45 – Nicole Bianchi’s passion: making bravery accessible for leaders

06:54 – Where fear comes from, and how to rewire for courageous action

08:50 – Flipping bravery: it’s not just for superheroes

10:01 – Why sharing your brave moves publicly ramps up success

11:14 – The top three mindsets for leading with courage

14:10 – Intentionality: choosing who (and what) you invest in

15:53 – The practical side of setting boundaries and saying “not now”

18:51 – How bravery gets easier the more you practice it

21:23 – Examples of everyday brave moves

23:39 – The five tough conversations every leader must master

27:06 – Conversation starters for tough “moving on” talks

31:10 – Feedback at the C-suite: why leaders stop getting it (and the risk if they do)

33:03 – The “continue and consider” framework for peer feedback

34:27 – Brave leadership at the organizational level: starting with ‘how we work’

35:54 – Why self-mastery comes before leading others

39:28 – When to walk away from a client (and why it’s brave)

41:02 – Learning without doing is treason: behavior beats theory

43:39 – Gallup’s research: One meaningful conversation a week outperforms any other leadership activity

44:57 – Preparation and accountability: the basics of tough talks

46:36 – Small brave moves and courageous conversations about AI

49:34 – Bravery as your leadership advantage—a final takeaway

About Nicole Bianchi

Nicole Bianchi is a bestselling author, keynote speaker, and the original “Chief Bravery Officer.” With a track record advising Fortune 500 leaders, she’s on a mission to make bravery accessible and actionable for everyone—not just superheroes or first responders. A former Chief Human Resources Officer, Nicole Bianchi walked away from a high-reward executive career to build her own practice helping teams and organizations fuel performance through conversation, alignment, and courageous leadership. She’s known for blending science, story, and practical tools to help organizations and individuals create real change—even in the face of chaos or risk.

Resources & Mentions:

• Nicole Bianchi's website: nicolembianchi.com
• LinkedIn: Nicole Bianchi on LinkedIn
• Nicole Bianchi on YouTube: Nicole Bianchi YouTube Channel
• Daniel Pink (endorsed Nicole’s books): Daniel Pink
• Gallup poll on meaningful conversations (Feb 2024): Gallup Workplace Research
• Nicole Bianchi’s books: https://www.nicolembianchi.com/books

Podcast Contact Information:

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: [email protected]

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