Risk management and insurance professionals aren’t just number crunchers or policy enforcers—they are frontline defenders in a world of relentless disruptions. Natural disasters, lawsuits, financial crises, and workforce challenges hit like torpedoes, demanding split-second decisions that could make or break an organization.
Yet, too many leaders in this space are still relying on outdated, bureaucratic decision-making structures that aren’t built for the speed of chaos. What if your leadership team operated more like an elite military unit—trained to anticipate threats, make bold decisions under pressure, and execute flawlessly in the face of uncertainty?
That’s exactly what Fast Attack Leadership: The 5-Step Framework Nuclear Submarine Officers Build to Create World-Class Teams delivers. This high-intensity keynote from Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer, will show risk management professionals how to lead like a mission-critical team, making faster, smarter decisions while keeping their teams fully aligned and engaged—even in the worst-case scenarios.
Are your leaders trained to win in a crisis, or will they freeze when the enemy is in the water?
Here’s how Fast Attack Leadership is changing the game for the risk management and insurance industry.
Why Fast Attack Leadership is a Perfect Fit for Risk Managers
Risk management professionals deal with high-stakes decisions every day. From overseeing disaster response and handling liability claims to managing fiscal uncertainty and workforce retention, their roles demand a leadership approach that balances speed, precision, and adaptability.
Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and leadership expert, developed Fast Attack Leadership to address these very challenges. His keynote, based on five core pillars, teaches leaders how to make mission-critical decisions under pressure while keeping their teams fully aligned and engaged.
Here’s how this leadership model applies directly to the risk management and insurance industry:
1. Leading Through Fiscal Uncertainty
Budget constraints and fluctuating financial conditions are ongoing concerns in the insurance industry. Some states, like Georgia, may have a budget surplus, while others struggle with funding, forcing agencies to decide whether to purchase insurance or self-insure (Damron, 2024).
Fast Attack Leadership helps leaders make the most, smart decisions the fastest—even with incomplete information. Accordingly, waiting too long for perfect data on a nuclear submarine could mean disaster. Instead, submarine officers use the 40-70 principle, acting when they have between 40-70% of the necessary information and adjusting course as needed.
For risk managers, this means learning how to:
✅ Assess risk and make decisions faster in uncertain budget environments.
✅ Leverage available resources while preparing for potential downturns.
✅ Empower teams at every level to contribute to smarter, decentralized decision-making.
Cited Source: Powell, C. (2012). It Worked for Me: In Life and Leadership. HarperCollins.
2. Managing Disruptions from Natural Disasters and Liability Claims
Whether it’s hurricanes, wildfires, or lawsuits, risk managers and insurance professionals operate in a crisis-driven environment. Therefore, they must handle emergency response, disaster recovery, and liability management with precision.
Fast Attack Leadership is built on the “Crush Depth Ready” mindset, where teams prepare for worst-case scenarios before they happen. On a submarine, a fire or flood can escalate in seconds—just as a natural disaster or lawsuit can overwhelm a risk management team.
Fast Attackk Leadership teaches leaders how to:
✅ Develop “Jam Dive” Teams—agile, cross-functional response units that can quickly adapt to emergencies.
✅ Train employees to take the shot—giving them confidence to make critical decisions under pressure.
✅ Create a culture of constant readiness—so teams can react quickly when the next crisis strikes.
Cited Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). (2023). Emergency Preparedness Report.
3. Adapting to Remote Work and Workforce Challenges
Post-COVID, many government agencies and insurance companies are navigating remote work, talent retention, and evolving employee expectations. Georgia, for example, has successfully implemented a five-day remote work model for 85% of its staff, saving money on space utilization while improving hiring and retention (Damron, 2024).
However, many leaders struggle to build strong remote teams that stay connected, engaged, and accountable.
Fast Attack Leadership offers a proven framework for leading dispersed teams. Further, submarines operate in total isolation, with crew members spread across 300 feet of high-tech machinery, yet they function as a highly cohesive unit. Leaders in risk management can apply the same principles to remote teams by:
✅ Implementing daily stand-up meetings to ensure alignment and communication.
✅ Using guided decision-making to train employees to think critically, even when working independently.
✅ Creating a culture of ownership, where every employee sees themselves as a leader, regardless of position.
Cited Source: McKinsey & Company. (2023). The Future of Remote Work and Hybrid Models.
4. Overcoming High Turnover and Building Leadership at Every Level
Workforce turnover has been a significant challenge post-pandemic.
Fast Attack Leadership emphasizes continuous leadership development—ensuring that when employees leave, the organization remains strong. Submarines experience 33% crew turnover every year, yet maintain world-class performance through:
✅ Structured onboarding that integrates new employees into the mission quickly.
✅ Mentorship and leadership training at every level—not just the executive suite.
✅ A culture of “Bravo Zulu” (Well Done)—recognizing and retaining top talent through meaningful praise and recognition.
5. Communicating Effectively in a Complex, Bureaucratic Environment
Risk management professionals don’t just handle claims—they navigate complex state and federal regulations, engage with policymakers, and manage inter-agency communication. Many feel frustrated by slow-moving decision-making structures and top-down directives that stifle agility.
Fast Attack Leadership transforms communication by:
✅ Replacing rigid hierarchy with adaptable “Jam Dive” teams—cross-functional groups that solve problems quickly.
✅ Establishing simple, consistent communication habits—like daily huddles and weekly leadership meetings.
✅ Implementing the One Page Purpose Plan to align teams under a single, powerful mission.
One of the biggest reasons leaders struggle with alignment is that employees don’t see how their daily work ties into the bigger picture. Hence, that’s where Marc’s One Page Purpose Plan comes in. This proven tool for purpose-driven leadership distills strategy onto a single page—giving every employee a clear roadmap of how their role contributes to the organization’s success.
When leaders connect employees to a shared mission, it transforms risk management from a bureaucratic function into a purpose-driven force that protects people, organizations, and communities.
This version ensures Leading With Purpose is a core theme while emphasizing how the One Page Purpose Plan helps risk management professionals lead with clarity and impact. Let me know if you’d like any other tweaks! 🚀
Conclusion: Fast Attack Leadership for the Risk Management Industry
While risk managers and insurance professionals operate in high-stakes, rapidly changing environments, to thrive, they need leadership strategies that match the speed of disruption.
Fast Attack Leadership provides a proven, real-world framework used by elite military officers to build world-class teams under extreme conditions. Whether managing financial uncertainty, responding to disasters, or leading remote teams, this 5-step approach equips leaders to:
✅ Make fast, smart decisions under pressure.
✅ Develop adaptable, high-performance teams.
✅ Navigate disruption with confidence and precision.
Marc Koehler’s keynote brings inspiring stories from the silent service of nuclear submarines and translates them into actionable leadership lessons that risk management professionals can implement immediately.
Are you ready to take the shot and lead with confidence?
Join Marc Koehler for Fast Attack Leadership at the State Risk and Insurance Management Association (STRIMA) Annual Conference in Jekyll Island, Georgia, in September 2025.
Your team is counting on you. Let’s lead the way.