Episode
Leadership, Psychological Safety & The Power of Failing Forward I LJ Morris
- Published
- Aug 21, 2026
- Duration seconds
- 3174
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Summary
In this episode of the 40% Better Podcast, Bill Lennan sits down with LJ Morris, Chief Technology Officer at ProScore Technologies, to explore the leadership lessons that shaped his career and his approach to building high-performing teams. LJ shares the incredible story of organizing a trip to Six Flags Magic Mountain at just 13 years old, an experience that sparked his passion for leadership and taught him the importance of bringing people together around shared experiences. The conversation covers servant leadership, psychological safety, building trust, learning from failure, employee retention, communication, emotional intelligence, and creating a workplace where people feel valued and supported. LJ explains why leaders should invest in their people, how creating a safe environment can encourage innovation, and why companies should focus on learning from calculated failures instead of creating a culture where people are afraid to take risks. He also shares practical lessons on communication, active listening, continuous feedback, career development, and the importance of helping employees work in roles that align with their strengths and ambitions. Key topics discussed: * The origins of LJ Morris's leadership journey * Servant leadership and investing in your people * How trust and psychological safety build stronger teams * Why leaders should create an environment where people can fail safely * Turning failures into opportunities for learning and innovation * Employee retention and the true cost of losing experienced talent * Building a culture of belonging and shared purpose * The importance of communication and emotional intelligence * Active listening and practical communication techniques * Continuous feedback vs annual performance reviews * Reducing chronic…