Leadership shares universal traits in any environment, but submarine leadership calls for high-level functioning in demanding and critical situations.
Whether you’re navigating a business through turbulent market conditions or commanding a nuclear submarine in high-pressure situations, effective leadership remains essential. Entrepreneurs, in particular, can draw invaluable lessons from the experiences of military leaders like Jake Mayo, a U.S. Navy officer who has served aboard nuclear submarines. Mayo’s leadership, honed under the extreme conditions of submarine service, is packed with insights applicable to business environments, particularly for entrepreneurs looking to sharpen their decision-making and leadership skills.
In a recent episode of Keys to Leadership with Rick Mayo and his son, Jake Mayo, they share several leadership principles that are just as crucial in the boardroom as they are in the high-stakes world of submarine command. Here are the key lessons entrepreneurs can apply from Jake Mayo’s submarine leadership experience.
Submarine Leadership Keys For Entrepreneurs
1. Execute Decisiveness In High-Stress Environments
One of the most critical traits Jake Mayo emphasizes is the ability to make quick and decisive decisions, particularly in high-pressure situations. Submarine officers are constantly faced with incomplete information, yet must act quickly, as hesitation can lead to disastrous outcomes. Similarly, entrepreneurs frequently encounter moments where waiting for more data or spending too much time contemplating options can result in missed opportunities.
For Jake, the most important thing is to make a decision and be prepared to correct the course if necessary. He explains that even if a decision turns out to be wrong, it is often better than inaction. Inaction breeds uncertainty, frustration, and lost momentum. Entrepreneurs, too, must adopt a mindset where making timely decisions is crucial, knowing that adjustments can always be made along the way.
As Jake puts it, “The people you lead would rather have you make a wrong decision and correct it than wait too long and face greater consequences.” This leadership trait is especially relevant in fast-moving industries such as tech startups, where markets and customer expectations shift quickly. Learning to make decisions under pressure can be the key to staying ahead of competitors.
2. Build Trust With Honesty And Transparency
In both submarines and businesses, trust is the foundation of strong leadership. Jake Mayo highlights the importance of honesty and transparency in building this trust. On a submarine, where teamwork is vital, being upfront about challenges and mistakes fosters an environment where team members feel secure in their roles. Hiding the truth or delaying the delivery of bad news only undermines trust and the team’s ability to respond effectively.
For entrepreneurs, honesty isn’t just a personal virtue; it is a critical business practice. Whether breaking bad news to employees, admitting to a failed strategy, or communicating transparently with customers, honesty strengthens relationships. It creates a culture where employees feel safe to communicate openly, admit mistakes, and contribute their best ideas. Jake shared that one of his key approaches as a leader is, “I want you to be honest with me. I want you to have the feeling you can be honest with me, because if you can’t be honest with me, then we can’t fix the problem together.”
This transparency ensures problems are addressed early before they escalate into bigger issues, fostering trust and a collaborative team culture.
3. Build A Resilient Team
Submarine officers, much like business leaders, must build resilient teams capable of functioning under extreme pressure. The confined, high-stress environments of submarines require a unique kind of teamwork, where each member must perform optimally while supporting others. The challenges faced at sea can be overwhelming, and without a resilient team, missions could fail.
In business, entrepreneurs are constantly faced with the potential for failure, market shifts, and operational hurdles. To weather these storms, they must cultivate resilient teams that can adapt, persevere, and bounce back from setbacks. One way to foster this resilience, according to Jake Mayo, is to allow people to fail in non-catastrophic situations. By creating an environment where team members can take risks and learn from their failures, leaders encourage personal growth and team cohesion.
Mayo explains, “The best leaders allow people to fail in non-catastrophic situations so that they learn and grow.” For entrepreneurs, this means giving team members the space to experiment, fail, and learn, which can lead to greater innovation and problem-solving abilities over time.
4. Balance Decisiveness With Thoughtfulness
While decisiveness is crucial, Jake stresses that it’s equally important to balance quick decision-making with thoughtful consideration of available information. In a submarine, making snap decisions without the right data can have severe consequences, but waiting too long can be just as dangerous. Finding the middle ground is essential.
Entrepreneurs face similar challenges. They must avoid rash decisions, taking time to gather enough information and consulting their teams before acting. This measured approach ensures that when a decision is made, it is both timely and informed. As Jake highlights, “You always have time to take a step back and think about the best course of action.”
For business leaders, particularly entrepreneurs who are often operating in unfamiliar territory, this lesson is crucial. It’s important to strike the right balance between acting quickly and making well-considered decisions. The best leaders know when to pause, assess the situation, and act with confidence.
5. Lead By Example
Jake Mayo’s leadership style emphasizes the importance of leading by example. On a submarine, officers must demonstrate the behaviors and values they expect from their crew. Whether managing operations or dealing with crises, a leader’s actions set the tone for the entire team. In business, this principle is just as relevant.
Entrepreneurs can inspire their teams by embodying the values they want to see in their organizations. Whether it’s hard work, resilience, or a commitment to excellence, leaders who practice what they preach build credibility and foster loyalty among their employees. Jake reminds us that team members want to see their leaders as human and relatable—someone who understands their challenges and is working alongside them to achieve shared goals.
6. Foster A Culture Of Accountability
In the submarine service, accountability is non-negotiable. Each crew member has a role to play, and leaders must ensure that everyone is contributing to the mission. In business, fostering a culture of accountability is equally critical. Without clear expectations and accountability, teams can lose focus, and performance can suffer.
For entrepreneurs, especially those leading fast-growing companies or startups, accountability ensures that projects stay on track and goals are met. Jake emphasizes that accountability should be combined with support, so that team members feel empowered to take ownership of their tasks without fear of punishment for mistakes.
Accountability, when paired with honesty and transparency, creates an environment where everyone is working toward a common goal and feels responsible for their contribution to the team’s success.
The leadership lessons Jake Mayo shares from his time as a submarine officer offer valuable insights for entrepreneurs navigating the complex world of business. From decisiveness and honesty to building resilient teams and fostering accountability, these traits can help entrepreneurs not only survive but thrive in their ventures. The parallels between military leadership and business leadership highlight the universality of effective leadership principles, regardless of the environment.
Entrepreneurs looking to sharpen their leadership skills can learn much from the experiences of those who have led in the most challenging environments. As Jake Mayo’s lessons show, the ability to make quick, informed decisions, build resilient teams, and lead by example can make all the difference in achieving long-term success. To dive deeper into these topics, tune into Keys to Leadership with Jake Mayo for more insights on how military leadership can elevate business performance.
Podcast 264
- Intro (00:00)
- Jake’s background in Naval service (02:36)
- Leadership in high-stress environments (05:58)
- Managing submarine operations (10:15)
- Importance of honesty in leadership (15:30)
- Making decisions under pressure (17:52)
- Building a resilient team (21:18)
- Balancing decisiveness with thoughtfulness (29:28)
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