Mission First, People Always: Leadership Wisdom from Marine and CEO, Patrick Gough

In this dynamic episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Patrick "Paddy" Gough — retired Marine Corps officer, former aerospace CEO, and founder of Poseidon Consulting — for a candid and insightful conversation on what true leadership looks like. Together, they explore Paddy’s "Seven Cs" of leadership: competence, candor, courage, commitment, consistency, compassion, and communication — and how these principles shape successful teams and enduring cultures.

Through stories from the battlefield to the boardroom, Jane and Paddy dive deep into the real challenges CEOs face today: handling toxic employees, fostering collaboration across departments, navigating the growing pains of scaling, and building strategic plans that actually drive results. Paddy’s philosophy of “mission first, people always” resonates powerfully as they discuss why leadership is an attribute, not a title, and why cultivating trust and moral courage is non-negotiable in business.

Whether you’re leading a startup or a large enterprise, this conversation is packed with hard-won lessons, real-world examples, and timeless advice to help you lead with greater impact and authenticity.