#102 John Troxell - Retired SEAC, U.S. Army
Leadership Lessons from the Top: CSM (Ret) John Wayne Troxell's Journey
Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John Wayne Troxell's 38-year military career culminated as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest position an enlisted service member can achieve. His journey from a directionless youth to the military's top enlisted leader offers invaluable insights for anyone in a leadership position. Having served in multiple combat deployments, including the combat jump into Panama, Desert Shield/Storm, and operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, Troxell's experience-based wisdom comes from leading in the most challenging environments imaginable.
Central to Troxell's leadership philosophy are what he calls the "three Ps": presence, performance, and persistence. Presence isn't merely being physically present, but creating an impact when you show up—bringing energy, charisma, and positivity that inspires those around you. Performance means modeling the behavior you expect from others, especially during challenging times. Troxell emphasized that leaders should never ask their team to endure hardships they themselves aren't willing to experience. Persistence involves finding the delicate balance between empathy and accountability—maintaining high standards while treating subordinates with dignity and respect.
One of the most powerful insights from Troxell's leadership journey was his approach to communicating purpose. He consistently emphasized the importance of explaining "the why" behind tasks and missions. When people understand why they're doing something, how long it will take, and what success looks like, they'll commit fully regardless of how difficult the challenge might be. This approach builds buy-in and creates self-discipline rather than imposed discipline, turning groups of individuals into cohesive, high-performing teams that take ownership of their mission.
Throughout his career, Troxell learned to adapt his leadership style from the disciplined, accountability-focused approach common in the 1980s military to a more balanced approach that incorporated greater empathy while maintaining high standards. This evolution occurred as he recognized that to build truly cohesive teams, leaders must demonstrate genuine care for their people while simultaneously holding them to exacting standards. This balance created what Troxell called a "band of excellence" where units excelled not from fear of punishment but from a shared commitment to excellence.
Perhaps the most public test of Troxell's leadership came with the "E-Tool Nation" controversy. His "surrender or die" speech, where he stated that ISIS fighters had two options—surrender or face death, even if it meant "beating them to death with our entrenching tools"—went viral and eventually led to a six-month suspension. Rather than retiring when facing adversity, Troxell demonstrated the persistence he preached, refusing to quit and eventually returning to his position. This experience reinforced his belief in authentic leadership and the importance of standing by your principles, even when facing criticism.
In retirement, Troxell continues to embody the leadership principles he developed during his military service. As an author, entrepreneur, and leadership consultant, he remains dedicated to serving veterans and current service members while applying his leadership philosophy in new contexts. His journey demonstrates that effective leadership transcends specific roles or organizations—it's about inspiring others through authentic presence, exemplary performance, and unwavering persistence in pursuit of shared goals.
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What does it take to reach the absolute pinnacle of military leadership? Command Sergeant Major (Retired) John Wayne Troxell brings wisdom forged through 38 years of service and five combat deployments to this riveting conversation on transformational leadership.
As the former Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff—the highest position an enlisted service member can achieve—Troxell reveals his leadership framework built on the “three Ps”: presence, performance, and persistence. He explains why simply showing up isn’t enough. True leadership presence generates energy and inspiration. Performance means living out the standard, especially in adversity. Persistence is the grit to lead with both compassion and accountability.
From his humble beginnings to delivering a viral “surrender or die” message against ISIS, Troxell shares hard-earned lessons in resilience, authenticity, and leading under fire. Even under suspension, he stood firm in his convictions, later returning to his post with his values intact.
In this episode, you’ll hear how great leaders balance toughness with humanity, communicate the “why,” and evolve across increasing levels of responsibility. Now in civilian life, Troxell continues his mission through entrepreneurial leadership—proving service doesn’t stop when the uniform comes off.
If you’re ready to lead with greater purpose, this episode delivers battle-tested wisdom that applies across every leadership arena.