How To Lead Like a Marine Colonel
Marine Colonel Ed Sullivan knows leadership isn’t about barking orders — it’s about trust, clarity, and keeping your cool when things get tough. His approach applies far beyond the military and offers practical lessons for anyone in leadership today.
Key Takeaways
Know Your Organization's Pulse: As a Chief of Staff, your role is to understand the nuances across different teams and be a critical connector.
Challenge the Status Quo: Just because "we've always done it this way" doesn't mean it's the best approach.
Speak the hard truths: Leaders need honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable.
Notable Quotes
"You've got to have self-confidence. You've got to want to be held to a higher standard."
"If you don't love the people that you're leading and working with, we're not the service for them."
"Success isn't about who's staying late - that's a sign of inefficiency."
Real-World Application
Use data to drive decisions
Example: Don’t just react to complaints. Analyze usage data, service gaps, or customer feedback to guide solutions.
Communicate with steady confidence
Example: In times of stress, take a moment to assess before responding. Your calm tone will shape how the team reacts.
Adapt how you brief your principal.
Example: Some leaders love spreadsheets; others need visuals. Learn how your principal digests information and adjust your approach.
Leadership isn't about a rank or title. It's about creating an environment where people can grow, solve problems, and feel valued. Whether you’re managing a company or leading a team of 11,000 Marines, these principles remain the same.
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
Ed on LinkedIn
Book Reference: Meditations by Marcus Aurelias
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.