What happens when you lead with humility, consistency, and care—instead of ego? In this uplifting and candid episode, Damon sits down with Peter Bissonnette, the former president of Shaw Communications and author of Count on Me. Peter pulls back the curtain on his remarkable leadership journey, from seminary days and military service to helming a $5.5B telecom powerhouse. Together, they explore the habits and values that shaped Shaw’s exceptional culture, why empathy and fairness matter most, and how leaders can be “counted on”—no matter their background.

Jam-packed with real stories, hard-won tools, and lessons from both the boardroom and the bandstand, this episode is a blueprint for anyone looking to become a leader people believe in. Get ready to rethink what makes a lasting legacy—not just for companies, but for families—through the power of values-driven leadership.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The culture-building power of shining a light on others, not yourself
• How Peter’s “Good Shepherd” philosophy (inspired by seminary days) became the foundation of his leadership style
• What it means to truly be “counted on”—and how personal adversity shaped Peter’s drive and fairness meter
• Practical tools for overcoming imposter syndrome and building self-belief, including the science of affirmations and visualization
• Why fit trumps credentials during hiring, and how to handle mis-hires with candor
• Inside Peter’s “leadership toolbox”—relationship-building, chameleon skills, candor, and the art of constructive feedback
• Behind-the-scenes negotiation stories, including a $2B Wall Street face-off and the lessons of win-win bargaining
• How music, photography, and creative passions make you a better leader and problem solver
• Tangible strategies to boost employee engagement—and transform dysfunction into unity
• Why leaders should be hero creators, not the heroes themselves

Timestamps:

00:00 – The power of focusing on the good in others

00:24 – Damon introduces Peter Bissonnette and episode themes

01:38 – How Shaw’s “we company” values fueled its success

03:07 – First meeting with founder J.R. Shaw

04:30 – The legacy-driven origins of Count on Me

08:37 – Seminary days and the “Good Shepherd” approach to leadership

11:09 – Peter’s tough childhood and the drive to be “counted on”

15:57 – Advice for new leaders struggling with self-belief

16:26 – Affirmations, visualization, and owning your own learning

22:25 – How to handle a mis-hire (the “Dead Pillow” story)

26:33 – Building your leadership toolbox: tools and traits that matter

30:07 – How to accelerate leadership experience: Mentorship & reading

32:01 – Lessons from Wall Street: The $2B Goldman Sachs negotiation

44:29 – Taking risks, responsibility and earning founder’s trust

47:57 – Win-win negotiations, fairness, and long-term relationships

49:32 – How music and creativity fuel leadership

54:59 – The role of photography and “extra languages” in solving problems

57:32 – Transforming employee engagement at Shaw

60:08 – Listening and acting on feedback to create belonging

63:56 – Shining the spotlight and building trust-driven teams

66:18 – How Peter personally connected with Shaw’s customers

70:13 – Why Count on Me is a case study for young leaders

72:50 – Where to find Peter and his book

About Peter Bissonnette

Peter Bissonnette is the former president of Shaw Communications, where he helped transform the company into a national powerhouse with more than 10,000 employees and $5.5 billion in annual revenue. Known for his humility, candor, and people-first leadership, Peter’s career took him from boarding school and seminary, through military service, to leading large organizations—all without a traditional academic background. He now serves on the board of the Shaw Family Trust and is the author of Count on Me, a candid memoir and leadership case study.

Resources & Mentions:

• Count on Me by Peter Bissonnette
• Peter Bissonnette on LinkedIn
• Improbably Successful by Juan Silvera
• The Learn-It-All Leader by Damon Lembi
• Brian Lanier’s Learn-It-All Podcast episode
• Peter Bissonnette on Jonny Pardoe Podcast
• Shaw Communications (background info)

Website: www.learnit.com

Email: [email protected]

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