Leadership Lessons from the Deck of an Aircraft Carrier

I just finished listening to a fascinating podcast featureing Captain Daryle Cardone, who shared his leadership journey and the tactics he used to lead 5,000 sailors aboard the USS Ronald Reagan. I encourage you to listen or watch the complete episode. His story is anything but conventional. Originally a music major who dreamed of being a rock star, Cardone found himself in the Navy after being rejected by the FBI due to a government hiring freeze. Even then, his first call to a Navy recruiter didn’t go well. He was dismissed for his music degree but didn’t take no for an answer. Cardone called back, pushed through, and eventually earned a commission.

His unconventional background in music shaped his leadership style. As a musician, he learned to recognize when people were performing at their best and to celebrate it—skills that translated seamlessly to building a motivated, high-performing team. Over the years, his persistence, curiosity, and creativity helped him rise through the ranks and develop a unique leadership framework that anyone can use: Listen Intently, Learn Continuously, and Lead Courageously.

Listen, Learn, and Lead: A Framework for Leadership

Captain Cardone’s framework is simple, but its impact is profound. Here’s how he explains it:

• Listen Intently: Start with humility and focus. Whether someone has been on your team for 40 years or 40 minutes, they have insights you can learn from. Listening helps you understand the real situation on the ground.
• Learn Continuously: Always seek to grow. Make time for reflection, read widely, and stay open to new perspectives.
• Lead Courageously: Use what you’ve learned to guide others with clarity and purpose, even when it’s challenging.

These principles provide a strong foundation for leading any team. They help leaders build trust, gain clarity, and take thoughtful action.

The Power of Questions

Cardone’s emphasis on asking better questions ties directly back to the “Listen Intently” and “Learn Continuously” parts of his framework. Listening without judgment and asking thoughtful questions are the foundation for gaining clarity and empowering others. Cardone understood that by pausing to ask instead of rushing to tell, leaders not only uncover more accurate information but also help their teams grow.

As Cardone explained, leaders often feel an urge to provide solutions immediately. Instead, he practiced stopping himself to ask a clarifying question, such as, “What do you think?” or “What would you try next?” This approach deepened engagement and gave his team ownership of the solutions.

Want to Build the Habit of Asking More Questions? Check out this book.

The Coaching Habit: Say Less, Ask More & Change the Way You Lead Forever by Michael Bungay Stanier

If you’re looking for inspiration, Michael Bungay Stanier’s The Coaching Habit provides simple but transformative questions to incorporate into your leadership. Two examples that fit seamlessly into Cardone’s philosophy are:

• “What’s the real challenge here for you?” This shifts the focus from surface-level problems to root causes, helping people reflect deeply.
• “And what else?” A powerful follow-up that encourages deeper thinking and reveals insights beyond the first response.

By incorporating these types of questions, you’re not only listening and learning—you’re teaching your team how to think critically and solve problems effectively.

Building a Culture That Celebrates Uniqueness

Cardone’s leadership style also focuses heavily on culture. He aimed to create a relationship-based environment where people’s unique strengths were recognized and celebrated. On the flight deck, where operations are highly standardized for safety, he would notice when someone added a personal flair to their work. A quick fist bump or acknowledgment showed them their effort was seen and appreciated.

By taking the time to recognize these moments, he built a culture of trust and engagement. His approach reminds us that leadership isn’t just about giving orders—it’s about connecting with people, celebrating their contributions, and aligning their strengths with the team’s goals.

Clarity as a Leadership Tool

Clarity was another cornerstone of Cardone’s leadership. With thousands of sailors and a 24/7 mission, he focused on clearly defining priorities and setting up systems for accountability. For him, clarity started with identifying “what right looks like” and then making sure his team understood and could act on that vision.

This clarity wasn’t just for the team—it was for himself, too. Cardone shared how he used his music training to create mental pictures of what success looked like. Just like a conductor who knows what a symphony should sound like, he knew how to guide his team toward peak performance.

Bonus Insight: Planning for Perspective

Here’s a surprising detail: Despite commanding a billion-dollar warship with advanced technology, Cardone relied on a monthly paper planner. Why? Perspective. Seeing his time commitments laid out gave him a clearer view of how he was balancing priorities across 20 different departments—and in his personal life. It’s a simple tool, but it helped him focus on what mattered most.

Actionable Insight: Ask One More Question

If there’s one thing you take away from Cardone’s leadership philosophy, let it be this: Pause and ask one more question. The next time someone presents a challenge or asks for advice, stop yourself from jumping in with a solution. Instead, ask a clarifying question or encourage them to think further. This small habit can transform how you lead and how your team grows.

Cardone’s story proves that great leadership doesn’t require a perfect background or ideal circumstances. It requires persistence, clarity, and a willingness to listen, learn, and lead. Start today by asking better questions and celebrating the uniqueness in others—you might be surprised at what your team can achieve.

Originally posted here: https://wkevingilbert.me/leadership-lessons-from-the-deck-of-an-aircraft-carrier/