Veteran's Day Part I: Wisdom from Our Military's Leaders

Through my years at Duke University , the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE) , and in the global sports ecosystem, I’ve had the privilege of engaging with and being inspired by many military leaders - starting with Coach Mike Krzyzewski.

Coach K graduated from the US Military Academy in 1969, and served as an officer until 1974.  He then returned to West Point as Head Men’s Basketball Coach for the next 5 years.

The universal truths and cutting edge perspectives on the human dimension that these amazing leaders have shared have shaped my leadership and superpowers work.

For Veteran’s Day Edition Part 1, I’ve curated a collection of 1-2 minute video conversations on topics ranging from leading a life of significance to the importance of a people-first culture, leading with a servant’s heart, and having faith in and preparing for the future. Have a watch and let me know your key takeaways!

Christine Wormuth, 25th Secretary of the Army, on How to Instill Faith in the Future

How do you inspire hope while conveying tough realities? As the 25th Secretary of the Army, Christine Wormuth oversees the Service's $185 billion budget and is responsible for decisions impacting nearly 1 million Active, Guard, and Reserve soldiers and 330,000+ Army civilians.

I’m inspired by Secretary Wormuth’s candor, expertise, and practicality. She possesses an openness that creates trust easily because she’s not afraid to be candid about the hard things.

Admiral Jamie Sands, Commander, US Naval Special Warfare, on Leading a Life of Significance vs a Life of Importance

A Navy SEAL, Rear Admiral Milton “Jamie” Sands has led in the toughest moments, through the grief and chaos of battles and the preparation that leads to wins. Today, he helms US Naval Special Warfare, which oversees all the US Navy SEALS.

By asking us to focus on a greater purpose, he inspires and energizes us through action, significance, and hope.

Retired General Dr. Nadja West on Creating a Life of Significance

It’s easy to be inspired and energized in Lieutenant General (Ret) Dr. Nadja West ’s presence. It’s why we featured her in the Duke University Life of Significance Series –episode 4 on Making an Impact, Keeping Joy, and Defining Leadership.

General Dr. West, is the 1st African American female to reach a 3-star general rank in our nation's history and the 1st African American female surgeon general for the US Army.

Today, she makes a difference also as Board Director with Johnson & Johnson and Nucor Steel. She is also a Distinguished Fellow with Duke University’s Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at the Fuqua School of Business. We discuss the significance of influencing even just a single life for the better, deep-seeded sources of joy, and how our values can shape our engagement with a situation for the better. Listen Here.

Retired 4 Star General Mark Kelly on The Importance of Followership in Leading

Retired 4 Star US Air Force General Mark Kelly had commanded US Air Combatant Command (ACC).   Because of how he invests in those who are under his care, he was inducted into the Order of the Sword, the highest honor the enlisted corps can bestow upon a senior ranking officer in the US Air Force. 

He shares a counterintuitive idea - why followership matters just as much as leadership. What struck me most about General Kelly isn’t just his impressive career but his humility and genuine interest in listening to others, and deep sense of gratitude for the responsibilities of leadership and the opportunity to serve our country and those whom he leads.

Retired 4 Star Admiral Bill Moran and 39th Vice Chief of Naval Operations On the Importance of Vulnerability

Retired 4 Star Admiral Bill Moran, is one of the most principled, thoughtful, and authentic leaders you’ll ever meet. He is the 39th Vice Chief of Naval Operations, the second highest leader in the US Navy. A mentor and educator at heart, he has had immeasurable positive impact on generations of leaders in our Navy and military.

I love his tip on sharing a story from your past where things didn’t go as planned. Being strategically vulnerable through being self-deprecating and laughing at yourself not only engages your audience, but also builds trust.

He is also a Board Director with USAA and a Distinguished Fellow with the Duke University’s Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at the Fuqua School of Business.

Command Sergeant Major JoAnn Naumann On Preparing for the Future

“You can sit still and wait for the perfect answer. But you will never have the perfect answer.”

Command Sergeant Major (CSM) JoAnn Naumann is the highest senior enlisted officer in the US Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and also the first female to hold this prestigious role. Her experience spans multiple continents, including serving as CSM for Special Operations Command Korea.

When you meet CSM Naumann, you’re immediately struck by her pragmatism, confidence, and deep sense of purpose. In preparing for the future, she makes the points that - Great equipment is worthless without great people. Building relationships and investing in your team is the best strategy for whatever lies ahead.

Admiral Mitch Bradley, Commander of US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) On the Importance of Reflection

As Commander of US Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), Vice Admiral Mitch Bradley deals with the most challenging and complex urgent every day, while innovating and preparing the team for what the future may hold. It’s a role that demands success in the present and success for our nation in the long run.

Admiral Bradley shares that effective leaders must prioritize intentionally. “You never have time for anything you don’t make time for,” he shares. Great leaders are ruthless with their time, directing their energy toward what truly matters, including connecting with their people. In a world full of demands, it’s essential to pause, step back, and ask: what deserves my focus?

Deborah Lee James 23rd Secretary of the Air Force on How to Give Honest Feedback

As the 23rd Secretary of the US Air Force, seasoned board director Deborah Lee James led an organization of 600,000+ personnel and $140 billion+ budgets. Prior to this role, she served as President of SAIC’s Technical and Engineering sector, a $2 billion, 8,700+ person enterprise. 

Secretary James has the ability to give honest feedback while creating that sense of safety for the receiver because she is helping to understand the root cause of the issue. She helps those whom she leads be even more effective.

As a career mom, she has integrated her work and her life successfully and shares her powerful story in the best selling book - Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success. She is also a a Distinguished Fellow with the Duke University’s Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at the Fuqua School of Business.

Retired 4 Star General Robert Brooks Brown on the Power of Teams

4 Star Retired General Robert B. Brown is CEO of the Association of US Army (AUSA), a membership organization of 1 million+. His last command was helming US Army Pacific (USARPAC), leading more than 100,000+ personnel with the motto, “One Team.”

One of his many superpowers is the ability to forge teams and team of teams. He is also one of the most inspirational, innovative, and humble leaders you’ll ever meet.

He is also an advisory board member with Duke University’s Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics at the Fuqua School of Business.

4 Star General Bryan Fenton, Commander, US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) on How a People First Culture Creates a Winning Culture

In his 35 years in the Special Operations community, 4 Star General Bryan Fenton has seen time and again that true resilience, creativity, and mission success stem from the right people, not just technology. Prior to serving as Commander of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), he served as Commander of Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC).

General Fenton exemplifies confidence born of genuine humility. Visionary, innovative, and compassionate, a source of his effectiveness is his ability to ask questions and draw from a wide range of diverse perspectives.

USSOCOM partners with policymakers, fellow commands, State Department, and allies in 80+ countries worldwide.

Imagine what our organizations can do in face of unprecedented challenges, complexity and uncertainty if we acted with the belief that our people are the most powerful assets in our organizations?

Retired Admiral Jon Yuen, 47th Chief of the US Naval Supply Systems Command, on Leading with a Servant’s Heart

Retired Rear Admiral Jon Yuen is one of the foremost experts on supply chain in the world and among the wisest and humble leaders one will ever meet. He is the 47th Chief of the US Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP). NAVSUP handles getting fuel and food to the 400+ ships in the US Fleet, including submarines and aircraft carriers. In that role, Admiral Yuen oversaw 110 worldwide logistics facilities, a team of 28K military and civilian professionals, $33B in managed inventory, and the Navy Exchange, a network of physical and online retail stores with $2.5B in annual sales.

As I reflect on his perspective of a servant's heart, it reinforces how prioritizing the mission of the organization over personal accolades is what builds cultures of courage and trust.

How You Can Support Our Military Veterans and Their Families

Both the USAA and AUSA have a mission to serve active duty military, veterans and their families. USAA

This Veterans Day, USAA is encouraging all Americans to “Go Beyond Thanks” by making a personal connection with one of our nation’s 17 million living veterans. Take part in a moment of veteran connection by reaching out to family or friends who served. Make a call. Send a text. Grab a coffee. Go for a walk together. These small gestures that can be powerful reminders to a veteran that someone cares about them.

You can also volunteer your time or donate to causes such Face the Fight®, the veteran suicide prevention initiative USAA founded last year alongside Reach Resilience and the Humana Foundation. USAA will match donations up to $1 million through Nov. 30. To learn more about the ways you can Go Beyond Thank You for Your Service, visit usaa.com/veteransday AUSA

In honor of Veteran's Day, support the Association of the US Army (AUSA) by joining more than 1 million Americans to become a member.  Membership is open to anyone. I’m a proud member and have loved receiving and reading Army Magazine and Listening to the Army Matter Podcast, hosted by LTG (Ret.) Leslie C. Smith and SMA (Ret.) Dan Dailey. The AUSA contributes $5M+ annually to support the U.S. Army, including awards, scholarships and programs for soldiers and their families.  Visit their website for more information.