EP. 401: Lessons in Leadership

·40 min·4 clips

A Coast Guard lieutenant battles rough seas and a broken tow line while questioning whether to call his boss during a life-or-death rescue.

The episode begins with host Bill Hamblet introducing the topic of leadership and the 2023 Naval Institute Leadership Essay Contest, sponsored by the Doctors Jack and Jennifer London Charitable Foundation. He notes that all three winners are Coast Guard officers, with two joining: first-prize winner Lieutenant Matthew Nagel and third-prize winner Lieutenant Commander Drew Stafford. Nagel is a Coast Guard Academy graduate and government major from the class of 2019, currently serving on Coast Guard Cutter Turn in San Francisco, with missions including search and rescue and law enforcement. Stafford is a mechanical engineering graduate from the Coast Guard Academy, commanding Coast Guard Cutter Alder in San Francisco, which services aids to navigation and conducts law enforcement. Hamblet explains that Proceedings has a Leadership Forum in every issue and an annual essay contest open to O-1 to O-4 officers. Nagel shares his essay 'Follow Your Gut?', inspired by a May 2023 search and rescue case 70 nautical miles off California where a tow line broke during rough weather, causing him to consider calling his boss but ultimately relying on procedures. He developed a leadership framework with a quad chart to help junior leaders assess discomfort and decision-making. Stafford discusses his essay 'Empower the Mid-Level Leader', based on his experience as executive officer on Coast Guard Cutter Juniper in Honolulu, where he observed that E5 and E6 levels and ensigns taking ownership improved ship operations. He gives an example of how an ensign's response to a question about getting underway can either isolate command or foster unity. Nagel elaborates on his quad chart, categorizing decisions by policy clarity and importance, identifying zones like 'followership', 'don't do it', and 'leadership'. Stafford asks Nagel how to train junior leaders to know when to call the boss, and Nagel emphasizes empowerment and command climate. Hamblet contrasts the Coast Guard's culture of early command opportunities with the Navy's decline in such roles, praising Coast Guard shipbuilding programs like NSCs, OPCs, and FRCs. Both officers reflect on the impact of commanding in their 20s, with Stafford noting it builds skills for future roles and Nagel highlighting how it creates urgency in training. In closing, Stafford advises new ensigns not to underestimate their impact, and Nagel encourages allowing oneself to be a novice. The episode ends with promotions for sponsor Booz Allen and Naval Institute membership.

As heard by us

A grounded discussion of leadership as explanation, trust, and judgment under pressure.

Leadership is framed here as practical work: make the mission legible, share what is known, and decide when events stop lining up neatly. Hosted by Bill Hamblett, the episode brings in Coast Guard Lieutenants Matthew Nagel and Nick Jabs, two of the three 2023 Naval Institute…

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Why you'd press play

Want leadership advice that holds up in rough weather, nighttime pressure, and the occasional "I don't know"?

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