#103 Joseph Polanin - U.S. Navy retired and CEO
In the realm of leadership, few experiences forge transformational leaders like combat operations and high-risk environments. After listening to Joseph Polanin—a retired Navy Captain with over 30 years of service, including leading elite Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) teams through more than 1,000 combat missions—one truth stands out: transformational leadership isn't about position or authority. It's about service.
Leadership Is Not What You Think
The shift from competent to exceptional leadership starts by understanding what leadership is not. As Polanin puts it, leadership is not a rank, title, or office. It’s a commitment—to learning, growing, and caring about others.
This view mirrors servant leadership principles, which prioritize the development of others over personal achievement. When leaders move from focusing on what they can accomplish to helping others succeed, they unlock extraordinary potential within their teams. This transition—from individual contributor to team enabler—is one of the most critical yet most difficult steps in a leader’s career.
Quiet Professionalism: The EOD Leadership Ethos
Military leadership, especially in EOD units, is grounded in what Polanin calls “quiet professionalism”—doing the right thing without concern for credit. This ethos builds trust and cohesion, empowering teams to execute missions successfully under extreme pressure. In the business world, adopting this mindset creates cultures of ownership, innovation, and mutual respect.
A Defining Leadership Moment
Polanin recalls a pivotal moment when a mentor challenged him:
"When are you going to stop doing things and start leading people to accomplish big things?"
This marked a personal and strategic shift—from execution to empowerment. Too often, leaders cling to the skills that once made them successful, rather than evolving into roles that prioritize vision, guidance, and delegation. Growth comes from learning to lead through others.
How to Lead Teams You Didn’t Choose
For leaders working with pre-existing teams or less-than-ideal circumstances, Polanin offers three actionable strategies:
Cast a bold vision – One that challenges the status quo, built by listening and finding shared values.
Set clear priorities – Because when everything is a priority, nothing is.
Align people with their strengths – Even if it means moving someone outside their formal training into a role where they can thrive.
From Tactical to Strategic Leadership
Polanin highlights the importance of evolving leadership intelligence—from tactical to operational to strategic. The best leaders delegate to the point of discomfort, trusting their teams and focusing on direction rather than control. This requires a culture built on mutual trust, where initiative and innovation are encouraged at every level.
Final Thought
The true measure of leadership isn’t personal accomplishment—it’s the environment you build for others to succeed. By embracing a servant leadership mindset, leaders don’t lose influence—they multiply it. Because real leadership isn’t about you. It’s about who you empower.
Together, we will impact 1 MILLION lives!!!
Every day is a gift; don't waste yours!
Joshua K. McMillion | Founder MLC
More Exclusive Content
What makes a truly exceptional leader?
Is it position, authority, or something deeper? In this profound conversation with Joseph Polanin, retired Navy Captain and award-winning CEO, we uncover leadership wisdom forged through 30 years of leading elite teams in high-risk environments across more than 1,000 combat missions.
Joe reframes leadership in a way that will transform how you view your role: "Leadership is not a position, rank, or title. It's a process of learning, growing, and caring about other people." This powerful perspective has guided his journey from Naval Academy graduate to commanding EOD units worldwide, where the ethos of "quiet professionalism" – doing what's right regardless of who gets credit – became his north star.