Ed Sullivan: US Marine Corps Chief of Staff, Proxy Decision-Making, Strategic Ops, Command Dynamics
In Leveraging Leadership, Emily Sander interviews Ed Sullivan, Marine Chief of Staff. Ed shares 30 years in the Marines, covering his journey from ROTC cadet to Colonel. The conversation explores proxy roles, leadership challenges, the significance of trust and communication, and high-stakes decisions. They discuss evolving military strategies, personal leadership styles influenced by observation and philosophy, and the discipline required for effective military leadership. Ed's insights provide a behind-the-scenes look at military command roles and highlight the importance of camaraderie in leadership.
Plus, both Ed and Emily have Meditations by Marcus Aurelias on their bookshelves as a must read!
Ed on LinkedIn
Book Reference: Meditations by Marcus Aurelias
Guest Bio
Ed Sullivan is a retired Marine Chief of Staff with over 30 years of distinguished service. His career began as an ROTC cadet and evolved into various leadership roles, including a foreign area officer and an attache to the Sultan of Oman. Ed's tenure included critical positions in intelligence and information systems for the U.S. Special Operations Command and oversight of Marine Corps recruiting and training operations. His expertise encompasses international diplomacy, strategic decision-making, and a deep commitment to the values and camaraderie of the Marine Corps. Ed's leadership journey reflects a profound dedication to service and excellence.
00:51 Guest Introduction: Ed, the Military Chief of Staff
01:27 Ed's Journey in the Marines
07:07 Ed's Experience as a Marine Corps Foreign Area Officer
08:42 Ed's Transition to Chief of Staff
11:37 Ed's Role as Chief of Staff at Marine Corps Recruit Depot
20:28 Understanding the Role of Chief of Staff in a Military Context
26:44 Building Trust and Communication within the Team
29:36 Decision-Making in Military Leadership
32:33 Managing Staff and Operations
39:33 The Challenges and Solutions in Organizing Family Day
43:05 The Evolution of Military Leadership
49:54 The Power of Stoic Philosophy in Leadership
51:38 Final Thoughts
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.