Insights from a Submarine Officer Turned Business Leader with Jon Rennie
In this episode of the Voice of Influence podcast, Andrea interviews John Rennie, founder and CEO of Peak Demand Incorporated and a former US Navy nuclear submarine officer. John discusses his various roles on the USS Tennessee, the hardest aspects of transitioning from the Navy to the corporate world, and the importance of having a mission in civilian jobs. He shares lessons on leadership, drawn from his military experience and practical corporate life, such as the significance of maintaining control over emotions, the responsibilities of having ‘the watch,’ and the value of being both people and mission-focused. John also emphasizes the necessity of leaders visibly supporting their teams and genuinely getting to know their employees for effective leadership and motivation.
Jon is the Founder & CEO of Peak Demand Inc., a manufacturer of critical components for electrical utilities. He is a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer who made seven deployments during the end of the Cold War. Prior to starting Peak Demand, he led eight manufacturing businesses for three global companies. He is the author of three best-selling leadership books and the host of the Deep Leadership podcast.
Mentioned in this Episode:
Episode notes:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
00:41 John Rennie’s Naval Career
02:37 Challenges of Submarine Life
04:33 Transitioning to Civilian Life
07:22 Leadership Lessons from the Navy
10:38 Finding Purpose in Manufacturing
12:35 Emotional Control and Leadership
15:40 The Importance of Competence
17:55 Handling Uncertainty as a Leader
23:22 The Concept of ‘Having the Watch’
24:46 Balancing Mission and People in Leadership
25:53 Defining Goals and Motivating Teams
26:42 Understanding Individual Motivations
27:37 Challenges of Leadership and Team Dynamics
29:00 Guiding Young Professionals
33:33 Delegating Authority and Responsibility
37:43 Demonstrating Care and Presence
43:12 Deep Leadership Insights
45:08 Final Thoughts and Advice
Give great, effective feedback!
This show is brought to you by the Deep Impact Method free course. Handle problems and present changes with care and influence. Register for the free 30-minute course here.