MARC'S BLOG
Ship, Shipmate, Self: The Leadership Code That Builds Teams You Can Trust Under Pressure
I have walked through some of the most complex machines on the planet. Aircraft carriers. Nuclear submarines. And I can tell you this: the hardware is impressive, but it is
Valentine’s Day at Work: Why Recognition Works Best When It Is Specific and Timely
Valentine’s Day is not really about flowers or cards. It is about something deeper. It is about being seen. Most relationships do not fall apart because of one big failure.
Your Culture Is Being Built in the Moments You Don’t Notice
Most leaders think culture is built in the big moments. The annual offsite. The new values rollout. The town hall speech. But the truth is simpler, and it is more
Get the Right People on the Bus: Why “Who” Still Beats “What” in 2026
If you have ever heard the phrase “get the right people on the bus,” you probably know it sounds simple. Almost too simple. But after leading in the Submarine Force
If You Stop Learning, You’re Losing
Leaders do not lose their edge all at once. It happens quietly. A skipped article here. A postponed course there. A few quarters of “no time to coach.” Then one
Decision Debt Is Slowing You Down: How to Pay It Off in 30 Days
If your strategy looks great on slides but stalls in the wild, you do not have a strategy problem. You have decision debt. Decision debt is the pileup of unmade,
Bravo Zulu and Thanksgiving: The Two Words That Build the Culture You Want
Every November, leaders talk about gratitude. Most of it stays in the Hallmark zone. Nice words. Warm intentions. Then Monday arrives and the real work swallows it whole. I learned
Anemic Engagement Is a Leadership System Problem, Not an HR Metric
If you are treating engagement like a quarterly score to check, you are already behind. At midyear 2025, Gallup reports that only 32% of U.S. employees are engaged. That is
“Closest to the Fire, Puts It Out”
I recently toured an aircraft carrier and saw a quote from Petty Officer Paul Lawrence that stopped me in my tracks. It echoed what I learned in the Submarine Force
The Disengagement Problem You Can’t Ignore in 2026
Disengagement is not a mood issue. It is an operating issue. In fast, high-stakes environments, I look for the hidden friction that slows teams down. Lately, that friction is everywhere.
Command is Dead. Clarity is the New Authority.
If your leadership model still runs on title, hierarchy, and control, you’re already behind. In a world moving this fast, teams aren’t looking for someone to bark orders or run
Leadership Is a Daily Discipline Not a Job Title
If you’re waiting for someone to give you a title before you lead, you’re already behind. The best leaders I’ve worked with don’t lead because of a promotion. They lead