To become a Navy SEAL you need to endure years of grueling training, and it is only a very small portion of those who start the process end up completing it. In this powerful “Best Of” episode, Dr. Sharon Spano revisits her conversation with Stephen Drum, a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who served in combat zones around the world and now helps organizations build high-performance cultures.
Stephen shares battle-tested lessons on courage, accountability, and resilience—and how the same principles that guide elite military teams can transform leadership in business and life. He discusses why preparation, trust, and communication are non-negotiables for success, and how leaders can create environments where people are inspired to give their best under pressure.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why elite military principles apply directly to business leadership
- The importance of training for critical moments before they arrive
- How to build trust and accountability within your team
- Why clear communication under pressure saves lives—and improves results in business
- How leaders can foster resilience and adaptability in times of uncertainty
- The role of courage in both combat and the workplace
- Practical steps to prepare yourself and your team for high-stakes situations
- Why failure is part of growth and how to recover quickly when mistakes happen
- How Stephen transitioned from Navy SEAL leadership to coaching corporate teams
- Lessons every leader can use to stay calm, focused, and mission-driven
Additional Resources:
Website: https://stephendrum.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-drum-643695135/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.drum.967
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephen.drum/?hl=en
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Meeting-Challenge-Confidence-Readiness/dp/B0BTGXNWNY
Transcript: Here
Sharon Spano:
Website: sharonspano.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD
Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/
Book: thetimemoneybook.com
Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com
Substack: substack.com/@drsharon
The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/
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