234: The Hidden Role of Great Leaders | Tim Lupinacci
Release Date:Β
October 23, 2025
Release Date: Oct 23
From million-dollar mistakes to leading one of Americaβs largest law firms, this episode with Tim Lupinacci is a masterclass in practical leadership, influence, and everyday impact. Damon sits down with Tim to explore the core ideas from Timβs widely praised book, Everybody Leads, and to unpack what real-world leadership looks like for professionals at every levelβnot just those with fancy titles or corner offices. Timβs candid stories (including being called an βidiotβ by a mentor), hard-won lessons, and actionable tools lay out a blueprint for how anyone can own their career, build their influence, and create resilient, thriving teams.
With honesty and vulnerability, Tim details his journey from βstumbling into law schoolβ to becoming CEO and Chairman of Baker Donaldson. Along the way, the conversation dives into imposter syndrome, self-mastery, consistency, the power of curiosity, and why influence beats formal authority every time. From cascading vision across thousands to practical daily habits, youβll leave this episode fired up to lead with more intentionβwherever you are.
What Youβll Learn:
How Timβs early career mistake became the spark for a lifetime of leadership growth
Powerful ways to redefine leadership as influence and everyday impactβnot just hierarchy
Why vulnerability and curiosity are Timβs go-to habits for self-leadership (and how he builds these muscles)
Simple, repeatable tips for daily self-mastery and growthβeven with a packed schedule
The four traits that decades of research show the best leaders have in common
How to cascade organizational purpose and vision from the top down (and bottom up)
What βleadership aromaβ meansβand why every interaction counts
Timβs view on using storytelling, gratitude, and encouragement to build culture and drive team buy-in
Real strategies for handling imposter syndrome, setbacks, and owning your impact at work
In This Episode:
00:00 β Timβs definition of leadership: influence and impact
00:51 β Timβs million-dollar mistake and Bobβs tough mentorship
04:46 β How Tim handles mistakes as CEO (and builds resilience)
06:48 β Timβs journey to CEO: building teams and pouring into others
09:06 β Imposter syndrome and the βsoundtracksβ in your head
13:00 β Leadership transparency, feedback, and culture
17:35 β What does it mean to be a leader? (Everyday influence)
21:09 β The role of curiosity in personal leadership
23:43 β Quick tips to build daily curiosity
26:35 β Timβs daily disciplines for self-mastery
29:24 β Four most-admired leadership traitsβwhat research says works
31:44 β How to find your North Star values as a leader
33:57 β AI, vision, and strategic planning for the future
38:12 β Cascading vision and purpose across a huge organization
41:14 β Leadership aroma: why every interaction matters
43:31 β Modeling behaviorβwhy leaders are βalways on stageβ
44:59 β A few words can change careers: examples of encouragement
47:44 β Giving life vs. taking it: our responsibility as leaders
49:29 β Churchillβs dinner table diplomacy (and building authentic connections)
51:40 β What Tim learned as a podcast host (curiosity in action)
53:09 β One more tip for team leadership: donβt take yourself too seriously (have fun!)
54:52 β Timβs legacy: practical encouragement for everyday leaders
56:12 β Where to connect with Tim and Everybody Leads nonprofit
About Tim Lupinacci
Tim Lupinacci is Chairman and CEO of Baker Donaldson, one of the top 100 largest law firms in the United States. A lifelong βleadership junkie,β Timβs journey spans decades of resilience and impactβfrom early career setbacks to steering a 1400-person organization. Tim is the author of Everybody Leads, a book dedicated to empowering professionals at every level to embrace influence, purpose, and fulfillment. He also founded the nonprofit Everybody Leads to share practical, positive leadership tools. Tim is passionate about making leadership accessibleβand showing that anyone can own their impact at work, at home, and in the community.
