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 and what I teach in every keynote: “Every sailor is a trainer firefighter. We drill every day. ‘Cause there’s no calling 911. No one is …
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 because of a practice. A mindset. A rhythm. A daily discipline. In the high-stakes environments I’ve led in – from nuclear submarines to billion-dollar turnarounds …
Read more “Leadership Is a Daily Discipline Not a Job Title”
I’ve led in some of the most uncertain, high-stakes environments imaginable – operating 400 feet below the surface on a billion-dollar nuclear submarine. And I’ve learned that turbulent times don’t just reveal the strength of your strategy. They reveal the strength of your leadership system. Whether underwater or in a boardroom, the principles remain the …
Read more “5 Things to Focus on to Lead Through Turbulent Times”
If you ignore AI, don’t be surprised when your competitors leave you in the dust. Artificial intelligence isn’t here to steal your job. It’s here to accelerate it. The real risk isn’t that AI will replace leaders. It’s that leaders who ignore it will be outpaced by those who embrace it. According to McKinsey, 78% …
You wouldn’t send an Olympian to one practice and expect a gold medal, so why do we treat our leaders that way? Professional athletes train more than they perform. Every sprint, drill, rep, and recovery session builds toward that one defining moment under the lights. In the corporate world? We flip the equation. Leaders are …
Read more “No Reps, No Results: The Leadership Development Gap”
90% of companies are stuck. Here’s how to move faster. Right now, 90% of organizations are struggling to adapt to market changes. That’s not just a statistic—it’s a leadership crisis. The pace of disruption is unrelenting. Technology evolves overnight. Customer expectations shift with every swipe. Competitors aren’t playing by old rules anymore. And yet, most …
Read more “The Market’s Changing Fast. Why Can’t Your Strategy?”
Your workforce is worried…and they should be. According to a national survey by Strategic Education, 50% of full-time U.S. workers are concerned they won’t gain the skills needed to advance their careers, despite 74% reporting access to employer-provided upskilling opportunities (Strategic Education, 2024). It’s not a lack of training. It’s a crisis of effectiveness. If …
Read more “The Leadership Wake-Up Call: Why Continuing Education Is Now a Strategic Imperative”
Employee agency has become crucial in promoting engagement, productivity, and overall organizational success in today’s rapidly changing work environment. Employee agency refers to individuals’ autonomy, empowerment, and ownership in their roles. Employees who feel empowered become proactive contributors and engaged team members rather than task-doers. This transformation is the catalyst for organizational growth and success. …
Read more “Embracing Employee Agency: 4 Keys to Empowering Your Team for Success”
In today’s complex business arena, uncertainty has become a constant companion. As businesses face challenges ranging from lost opportunities to plummeting profits, the answer lies not just in adaptation, but in something deeper: readiness. It’s a proactive stance that serves as a shield against these challenges, demonstrated by the U.S. military. Let’s dissect the military’s …
Read more “What We Need to Implement Right Now from the U.S. Navy’s Art of Readiness”