Senior Leaders Discuss Recruiting STEM Candidates Into Special Ops

May 19, 2026 | By Matthew Olay, Pentagon News |

During a panel discussion at the Special Operations Forces Week 2026 convention in Tampa, Florida, today, a pair of senior SOF leaders discussed how to bring more recruits with science, technology, engineering and mathematics backgrounds into SOF formations.

Navy Adm. Frank M. Bradley, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command, and Marine Corps Gen. Francis L. Donovan, commander of U.S. Southern Command, discussed the topic during a panel discussion on SOF integration into the joint force.

When asked how to attract more SOF recruits with STEM backgrounds, Bradley said the best way to gain such talent is to challenge those individuals.

"You have to provide challenges for people who are STEM-oriented to solve, [and] the good thing is the world's providing plenty of those [challenges] for us. … I don't have to create new challenges to attract STEM-oriented professionals who want to fight and use their intellect to solve those problems, [because the problems] are abundant," Bradley said.

He elaborated that the SOF community is currently going through a transformation that is focused on modernization aimed at establishing operational test and evaluation elements within SOF formations that are capable of working with engineers and acquisition professionals to solve difficult problems through both technical means and creative approaches.  

Bradley also spoke about the need to introduce children to STEM-related subjects early.

"We need to realize that tomorrow's recruits coming into the military are sitting at your kitchen tables. And so, if you want more recruits in the future who are STEM-oriented in the military, we need to give our families an opportunity to be exposed and inculcated with an interest in [STEM]," Bradley explained. 

As one example of how to get children to take on such an interest, Bradley spoke about the military's partnership with Congress and key policymakers to invest STEM outreach dollars into academic institutions with high-quality STEM cultivation programs. 

"[We can] focus [families] on our counterpart force concentration centers to help those families to have opportunity for robot camps, drone camps, coding camps — anything to do with introducing that interest at a very young age — so that, as we all aspire to, we can make the next generation smarter and better than ourselves," Bradley said.

Donovan weighed in on the topic, noting the importance of future service members needing to maintain a balance between being heavily STEM-oriented and also warrior-centric.

"I think there's a split point here we have to make sure that we're very aware of. … We want a place for everyone," Donovan explained in reference to finding such a balance. 

"Because I still think whether it's SOF or conventional forces, we have to have young Americans that … when the chips are down, they leave that ramp in the back of a [military vehicle] and move into the hardest day of their lives; and they need teammates from the left and right that [also] have the grit to see the mission done," he continued.

Donovan added that, while he views STEM and advanced technologies as value-added to the force, military technology should never fully replace humans.

"We can never … step away from the fact that, anytime we talk about autonomous systems, I'm never ever saying that there's not going to be a human included. … Because someone still has to place their foot on a piece of ground to declare victory, and that will never go away," he said.

The War Department has invested in STEM in one form or another since 2005. Presently, the department's DOW STEM program mission is to "inspire, cultivate, and develop exceptional STEM talent through a continuum of opportunities to enrich our current and future Department of War workforce poised to tackle evolving defense technological challenges," according to the program's website.

The Silent Square of Leadership

Among the working tools of Freemasonry, few possess deeper symbolic meaning than the Square. It is the emblem of virtue, integrity, and moral conduct. Yet within the ritual itself lies a quieter lesson often overlooked. The Square, representing the Worshipful Master—the leader of the lodge—is placed first upon the altar and removed last when the work is complete. In that simple act, Freemasonry communicates one of the oldest truths of leadership: the leader is the first to arrive and the last to leave.

The symbolism is neither accidental nor decorative. It reflects an expectation that leadership is rooted not in privilege, but in service. The Master does not stand above the lodge as a ruler detached from labor. He stands responsible for it. Before the brethren arrive, he prepares the work. After they depart, his obligations remain. The Square stays because the duties of leadership continue long after recognition fades.

This principle closely parallels what modern scholars describe as servant leadership. Robert K. Greenleaf argued that the true leader is not defined by authority alone, but by a willingness to serve first. Greenleaf wrote:

“The servant-leader is servant first… It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first.” (Greenleaf, 1970, p. 7)

Freemasonry expressed this concept symbolically long before it was formally named in academic literature. The Master’s role is not ceremonial prestige; it is enduring responsibility. The Square is placed first because leadership must begin before others are ready to labor. It is picked up last because leadership remains after others are finished.

History’s greatest military leaders often embraced this same philosophy. George Washington, perhaps the most recognized Masonic military leader in American history, understood that leadership depended upon visible personal conduct. He wrote:

“Example, whether it be good or bad, has a powerful influence.” (Washington, 1788/1939, Vol. 29, p. 492)

Washington’s words reveal why the Square occupies its symbolic position. Leadership is contagious. A leader’s discipline, punctuality, sacrifice, and composure spread throughout the organization just as quickly as laziness or indifference. If the Master arrives unprepared, the lodge becomes unprepared. If he approaches the work with seriousness and integrity, the brethren are far more likely to do the same. The Square is first because example must come before instruction.

General Douglas MacArthur echoed this same belief nearly two centuries later in his famous address to the cadets at West Point:

“The officer must set the example.” (MacArthur, 1962)

MacArthur’s statement was simple, but profound. Rank alone cannot inspire loyalty or excellence. Men follow conduct more willingly than commands. The officer who avoids hardship while expecting sacrifice from others eventually loses moral authority. The same principle applies within the lodge. The Worshipful Master cannot ask the brethren for dedication if he himself is absent from the labor. The Square remaining until the close of the lodge symbolizes that leadership does not retreat from responsibility when the work becomes inconvenient or exhausting.

Even among enlisted men turned battlefield heroes, the same lesson appears. Audie Murphy, the most decorated American combat soldier of the Second World War and a Freemason, became legendary not merely because of bravery, but because he consistently led from the front. Murphy stated plainly:

“You lead from the front.”

Though brief, the statement captures the ancient understanding shared by soldiers and Masons alike: true leadership is visible. The leader does not push others into danger while remaining safely behind. He stands where the burden is greatest. Within Freemasonry, this symbolism is reflected in the Master’s position at the head of the lodge, bearing responsibility for its harmony, instruction, and conduct.

The lesson of the Square also challenges many modern ideas about leadership. Contemporary culture often associates leadership with status, visibility, or personal advancement. Freemasonry teaches something different. The Square reminds us that leadership is often quiet, repetitive, and unnoticed. It is arriving before anyone else to prepare the lodge room. It is mentoring younger brethren after meetings have ended. It is ensuring harmony during disagreement. It is carrying responsibility even when no recognition follows.

The operative origins of the Square deepen this symbolism further. In stonemasonry, the square ensured that the structure being built would stand true. A wall improperly squared endangered the stability of the entire building. Likewise, weak or careless leadership threatens the moral stability of the lodge itself. The Master must therefore embody consistency, steadiness, and upright conduct so that the symbolic temple remains strong.

The ritual action of placing the Square first and removing it last therefore teaches a timeless principle. Leadership is not about occupying the highest seat. It is about bearing the longest burden.

The Square is silent, yet its lesson endures.

The leader arrives first.

The leader leaves last.

And between those moments, he sets the example by which all others labor.

References

Greenleaf, R. K. (1970). The servant as leader. Robert K. Greenleaf Center.

MacArthur, D. (1962, May 12). Duty, honor, country. Address delivered to the Corps of Cadets, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.

Murphy, A. Quoted in military leadership collections and biographical summaries of Murphy’s battlefield leadership.

Washington, G. (1939). The writings of George Washington (J. C. Fitzpatrick, Ed., Vol. 29). U.S. Government Printing Office. (Original work written 1788)

Bluffing Leadership: When Image Replaces Substance

There’s a moment at the poker table when everyone knows.

No one says it out loud. No chips are pushed yet. But the shift is there—subtle, quiet, unmistakable. The player who has been pushing hard, betting confidently, projecting control… has been read.

The bluff isn’t working anymore.

Leadership works the same way.

The problem is, most leaders don’t realize when they’ve crossed the line from strategy into habit—from calculated signal into constant performance. In poker, a bluff is a tool. In leadership, it becomes a crutch. And once that happens, the outcome is predictable. You might win a few hands. But eventually, you lose the table.

The Performance Trap

Bluffing leadership is not about outright deception. It’s more subtle than that.

It’s the leader who speaks with certainty they haven’t earned.
The leader who projects vision they haven’t fully formed.
The leader who substitutes confidence for competence—and hopes no one notices.

At first, it works.

People respond to confidence. Organizations often reward presence, decisiveness, and the appearance of control. But leadership is not a single hand—it’s a long game. And over time, followers begin to notice patterns. They don’t just listen to what you say; they watch what you do. They measure consistency. They compare words to outcomes.

And when those don’t align, credibility begins to erode.

You don’t lose trust in one moment. You lose it one bluff at a time.

The Limits of the Bluff

In poker, bluffing only works because of reputation. You can represent strength if others believe you’re capable of having it. But bluff too often, and the dynamic shifts. The same move that once commanded respect now invites challenge.

Leadership operates under the same rules.

Every action is a signal. Every decision communicates something. Leaders don’t just give direction—they create meaning. Through their behavior, their presence, and their follow-through, they tell the story of the organization.

But when that story is built on image rather than substance, people begin to read between the lines.

They see the hesitation behind the confidence.
They recognize the gaps behind the vision.
They feel the inconsistency behind the message.

And once they see it, they can’t unsee it.

Authenticity vs. Performance

Leadership theory calls this out more directly. Authentic leadership, at its core, is built on self-awareness, transparency, and alignment between values and actions. It demands that leaders know who they are, communicate honestly, and act consistently.

Bluffing leadership violates all three.

It replaces self-awareness with projection.
It substitutes transparency with impression management.
It trades consistency for short-term advantage.

The result is predictable: people disengage.

Not immediately. Not dramatically. But gradually. Trust doesn’t collapse overnight—it fades. And once it’s gone, no amount of charisma or authority can restore it quickly.

Because trust isn’t built on what you say. It’s built on what people experience.

The Charisma Illusion

Bluffing leadership often hides behind something that looks legitimate: charisma.

Transformational leadership theory emphasizes vision, inspiration, and influence. At its best, it mobilizes people toward something greater than themselves. But stripped of substance, it becomes something else entirely—a performance without foundation.

Vision becomes vague.
Inspiration becomes empty.
Motivation becomes manipulation.

The leader still speaks. The audience still listens. But the connection is gone.

People begin to comply instead of commit. They follow instructions, not purpose. They show up, but they don’t invest.

And the leader, sensing the shift, often doubles down—more communication, more projection, more effort to maintain the image. But that only accelerates the decline.

Because the problem was never communication.

The problem was credibility.

The Cost of Being “Read”

When a bluffing leader is exposed, the damage spreads quickly.

First, trust erodes.
Then, decision-making slows. People hesitate, question, second-guess.
Finally, culture begins to fracture.

Employees take their cues from leadership. If the leader performs, the organization learns to perform. Meetings become theater. Communication becomes scripted. Problems are hidden rather than solved.

What emerges is an organization that looks functional from the outside—but is hollow on the inside.

And by the time leadership realizes what’s happening, the cost is already high.

Turnover increases.
Initiative declines.
And the strongest people—the ones who see clearly—start to leave.

Why Leaders Bluff

Most leaders don’t start this way.

Bluffing leadership is rarely intentional. It’s usually driven by pressure.

The pressure to appear competent.
The pressure to have answers.
The pressure to lead without showing uncertainty.

Somewhere along the way, confidence becomes a requirement rather than a byproduct. Leaders begin to believe they must project certainty—even when they don’t feel it.

And so they bluff.

Not to deceive others—but to protect themselves.

But leadership doesn’t reward protection. It rewards clarity, consistency, and the ability to adapt. The moment a leader prioritizes image over substance, they begin trading long-term credibility for short-term comfort.

It’s a bad trade.

From Bluffing to Credibility

The alternative isn’t weakness. It’s discipline.

Real leaders build substance before they signal it. They prepare. They listen. They think. And when they speak, it carries weight—not because of how it sounds, but because of what stands behind it.

They align words with actions.
They follow through.
They admit when they’re wrong.

And perhaps most importantly, they develop their people instead of managing perception.

Because strong teams expose weak leaders—but they strengthen real ones.

Leadership is not about controlling how others see you. It’s about earning how they experience you.

The Table Always Knows

At the poker table, you can get away with a bluff—once, maybe twice.

But over time, the truth reveals itself. Patterns emerge. Players adjust. And eventually, you’re forced to show your hand.

Leadership is no different.

You can project confidence.
You can craft the message.
You can manage the moment.

But in the end, people will judge you on what you actually do.

Not what you say.
Not what you intend.
Not what you hope they believe.

Just the hand you play.

And the table always knows.

Be the Lighthouse: How Leaders Provide Direction in Uncertain Times

In the age of sail, a ship caught in fog did not need more speed, more noise, or more commands shouted across the deck. It needed a fixed point of reference. It needed a light.

Today’s organizations are no different. The fog is not made of weather, but of uncertainty—technological disruption, institutional distrust, rapid change, and conflicting information. Leaders often respond by trying to do more: more meetings, more directives, more urgency. But in uncertain times, leadership is not about increasing activity. It is about increasing clarity.

The most effective leaders understand a simple but often overlooked truth: they are not the ship, and they are not the storm. They are the lighthouse.

A lighthouse does not chase ships. It does not control outcomes. It does not eliminate danger. What it does is far more powerful. It provides visibility, consistency, and guidance in environments where none exist. These are the essential functions of leadership when conditions are at their worst.

First, the lighthouse is visible. Its presence alone reduces uncertainty. Research on leadership communication consistently shows that employees interpret silence from leadership as a signal of instability or concealment. When leaders are absent or quiet, people fill the void with assumptions, often negative ones. Men (2014) found that transparent and frequent communication from leaders significantly increases employee trust and engagement. Visibility is not performative; it is stabilizing. If people cannot see their leaders, they begin to question whether leadership exists at all.

Second, the lighthouse is consistent. The light does not flicker based on conditions or convenience. It operates with reliability, and that reliability becomes its value. In organizational life, inconsistency in leadership messaging is one of the fastest ways to erode trust. Dirks and Ferrin (2002) demonstrated that trust in leadership is strongly correlated with predictable and aligned behavior over time. Teams do not require perfection. They require dependability. A leader who changes direction without explanation, or who communicates conflicting priorities, creates confusion that spreads faster than any external crisis.

Third, the lighthouse is positioned with intention. It stands where it matters most—at points of danger, transition, or decision. Leaders often mistake motion for effectiveness, moving from issue to issue, reacting instead of anchoring. But leadership is not defined by movement; it is defined by positioning. A leader grounded in clear values and strategic priorities provides a reference point for others. This is consistent with research on authentic leadership, which emphasizes self-awareness and value alignment as core drivers of effective leadership behavior (Avolio & Gardner, 2005).

Fourth, the lighthouse warns rather than controls. It does not steer ships. It reveals hazards and illuminates safe passage, allowing others to make informed decisions. This distinction matters. Leaders who attempt to control every outcome create dependency and slow decision-making. Leaders who provide clarity create capability. In complex environments, where no single person has complete information, the role of leadership shifts from directing action to enabling judgment. Heifetz, Grashow, and Linsky (2009) describe this as adaptive leadership—the ability to mobilize people to tackle challenges that do not have clear or immediate solutions.

The absence of these functions has predictable consequences. When the light goes dark, organizations do not pause. They fragment. Communication breakdowns lead to speculation. Inconsistent signals erode credibility. Decision-making slows as individuals hesitate without clear guidance. Over time, the organization begins to drift—not because people are unwilling to act, but because they no longer share a common direction.

These are not theoretical outcomes. Studies on organizational trust have shown that low trust environments are associated with decreased performance, reduced collaboration, and increased turnover intentions (Dirks & Ferrin, 2002). What begins as a communication issue becomes a structural problem. What begins as uncertainty becomes dysfunction.

The challenge for leaders today is that the environment itself has become more complex. Information is abundant, but clarity is scarce. Digital transformation, including the rise of artificial intelligence, has accelerated decision cycles while increasing ambiguity. According to the World Economic Forum (2023), leaders are now required to navigate rapid technological change while maintaining workforce trust and organizational coherence. The storm is not only external. It is cognitive, cultural, and continuous.

In this environment, being the lighthouse is not a passive role. It requires discipline.

Leaders must communicate early and often, even when information is incomplete. Research indicates that transparency, even under conditions of uncertainty, strengthens credibility more than delayed or withheld communication (Men, 2014). Silence, by contrast, invites speculation.

They must anchor to principles rather than trends. Values provide continuity when conditions change. Without them, leaders become reactive, shifting direction based on the latest pressure rather than a coherent strategy.

They must make decisions visible. It is not enough to decide; leaders must explain the reasoning behind decisions. This builds understanding and reinforces alignment.

They must absorb pressure rather than transmit it. Stress within organizations is often amplified by leadership behavior. A leader who reacts with urgency and anxiety transfers that state to the team. A leader who maintains composure creates space for rational thought and effective action.

Finally, they must develop internal stability. The external role of the lighthouse depends on internal grounding. Leadership is often portrayed as a public function, but its most critical moments are private. Decisions are made in solitude, under conditions of incomplete information and competing pressures. Integrity is not tested when actions are visible. It is tested when they are not.

This internal dimension of leadership aligns with long-standing research on moral and authentic leadership, which emphasizes the role of internalized values and self-regulation in guiding behavior (Avolio & Gardner, 2005). Before leaders can provide direction to others, they must be anchored themselves.

The metaphor of the lighthouse endures because it captures something essential about leadership that is often overlooked. Leadership is not defined by control, visibility in the media, or the volume of directives issued. It is defined by the ability to provide clarity when clarity is most needed.

The storm will not disappear. The fog will return. Conditions will remain uncertain. These are constants.

What can change is the presence of the light.

A leader does not need to control the sea. The leader must ensure that, in the darkest moments, there is still something others can see, trust, and follow.

References

Avolio, B. J., & Gardner, W. L. (2005). Authentic leadership development: Getting to the root of positive forms of leadership. The Leadership Quarterly, 16(3), 315–338.

Dirks, K. T., & Ferrin, D. L. (2002). Trust in leadership: Meta-analytic findings and implications for research and practice. Journal of Applied Psychology, 87(4), 611–628.

Heifetz, R., Grashow, A., & Linsky, M. (2009). The practice of adaptive leadership: Tools and tactics for changing your organization and the world. Harvard Business Press.

Men, L. R. (2014). Strategic internal communication: Transformational leadership, communication channels, and employee satisfaction. Management Communication Quarterly, 28(2), 264–284.

World Economic Forum. (2023). The future of jobs report 2023. World Economic Forum.

Trust and Merit: The Hidden Link Between Leadership Credibility and Organizational Fairness

Trust and meritocracy are often discussed as separate pillars of effective organizations, yet in practice they are deeply interconnected. Meritocracy promises that individuals are rewarded based on ability and performance, while trust determines whether followers believe that promise is real. Without trust in leadership, even the most carefully designed merit-based systems lose legitimacy. Trustworthiness—grounded in ability, integrity, and transparency—serves as the bridge between leadership credibility and perceptions of fairness, shaping employee engagement, performance, and organizational outcomes.

At its core, trust in leadership reflects a willingness by followers to be vulnerable to decisions that affect their outcomes. Mayer, Davis, and Schoorman (1995) define trustworthiness as consisting of three key components: ability, integrity, and benevolence. Ability refers to the competence and skills that enable leaders to perform effectively. Integrity involves adherence to principles and consistency between words and actions. Benevolence reflects a leader’s perceived concern for the well-being of others. In modern organizational contexts, benevolence is often expressed through transparency—open communication, clarity in decision-making, and accountability. These elements collectively determine whether employees view leaders as credible and trustworthy.

Meritocracy depends heavily on these perceptions. In theory, a meritocratic system rewards individuals based on performance, qualifications, and contributions. However, research suggests that employees’ perceptions of fairness are not determined solely by outcomes, but by the processes used to reach them. Colquitt, Scott, and LePine (2007) demonstrate that trustworthiness significantly influences risk-taking and job performance, indicating that employees are more willing to invest effort when they believe leadership decisions are fair and grounded in competence and integrity. When leaders are perceived as trustworthy, employees are more likely to accept decisions—even unfavorable ones—because they believe those decisions are based on merit rather than bias or favoritism.

Ability plays a foundational role in linking trust and meritocracy. Leaders who demonstrate competence are more likely to be seen as capable of evaluating performance accurately and making sound decisions. When leaders lack ability, employees may question whether rewards and promotions truly reflect merit. This skepticism undermines confidence in the system and can lead to disengagement. Conversely, when leaders consistently demonstrate expertise and sound judgment, they reinforce the legitimacy of merit-based outcomes. Employees are more likely to believe that success is achievable through effort and performance, which strengthens motivation and organizational commitment.

Integrity further reinforces the connection between trust and meritocracy by ensuring consistency and fairness in leadership behavior. Leaders who adhere to clear principles and apply standards consistently signal that decisions are not arbitrary. This consistency is critical in merit-based systems, where even the perception of favoritism can erode trust. When employees observe alignment between stated values and actual decisions, they are more likely to view the system as fair. Mayer et al. (1995) emphasize that integrity is essential for sustaining trust over time, as it provides predictability and reduces uncertainty in leader behavior. Without integrity, meritocracy becomes vulnerable to manipulation, and trust quickly deteriorates.

Transparency, as a modern expression of benevolence, is equally important in maintaining trust within meritocratic systems. Transparency involves clear communication about how decisions are made, why certain outcomes occur, and what criteria are used to evaluate performance. Feuer and Mastrogiovanni (2025) note that a significant portion of employees report low trust in leadership, often due to a lack of clarity and openness. When leaders fail to explain decisions, employees may fill the gaps with assumptions of bias or unfairness. In contrast, transparent leaders provide insight into their reasoning, which helps employees understand and accept outcomes. Transparency reduces ambiguity, strengthens perceptions of fairness, and fosters a sense of inclusion in organizational processes.

The absence of trustworthiness can create what some scholars describe as the “illusion of meritocracy.” Organizations may claim to operate on merit-based principles, but if employees do not trust leadership, those claims lose credibility. Perceived inconsistencies, lack of transparency, or questionable decision-making can lead employees to believe that outcomes are influenced by factors other than merit. This perception not only reduces motivation but can also increase turnover and decrease organizational citizenship behaviors. Employees who do not trust leadership are less likely to take initiative, share ideas, or engage fully in their roles, ultimately undermining organizational performance.

In contrast, when trustworthiness is embedded in leadership practices, meritocracy becomes more than a theoretical ideal—it becomes a lived experience. Trustworthy leaders create environments where employees believe their efforts will be recognized and rewarded fairly. This belief encourages collaboration, innovation, and risk-taking, all of which are essential for organizational success. Colquitt et al. (2007) highlight that trust enhances both performance and willingness to take risks, suggesting that employees are more likely to engage in behaviors that benefit the organization when they trust leadership.

Ultimately, the relationship between trust and meritocracy underscores the importance of leadership credibility. Merit-based systems cannot function effectively without trust, and trust cannot be sustained without demonstrated ability, integrity, and transparency. Leaders who embody these qualities not only enhance their own credibility but also strengthen the systems they oversee. In doing so, they create organizations where fairness is not just promised, but consistently experienced.

In conclusion, trustworthiness serves as the foundation upon which meritocracy depends. Ability ensures competent decision-making, integrity guarantees consistency and fairness, and transparency provides the clarity necessary for employees to understand and accept outcomes. Together, these elements determine whether employees trust leadership and believe in the legitimacy of organizational systems. As organizations continue to emphasize performance and accountability, the integration of trust and merit will remain essential for achieving sustainable success.

References

Colquitt, J. A., Scott, B. A., & LePine, J. A. (2007). Trust, trustworthiness, and trust propensity: A meta-analytic test of their unique relationships with risk taking and job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 909–927.

Feuer, N., & Mastrogiovanni, M. (2025). Most employees don’t trust their leaders. Here’s what to do. Harvard Business Review, 1–7.

Mayer, R. C., Davis, J. H., & Schoorman, F. D. (1995). An integrative model of organizational trust. Academy of Management Review, 20(3), 709–734.

Can Do, Will Do, and Does What Is Right: Leadership Lessons from the Age of Sail

Leadership is often described through action—what leaders do, how they decide, and how they influence others. Yet beneath those actions lies a more fundamental question: why do people choose to follow? The answer is trustworthiness. Trust is not automatic; it is earned through consistent demonstration of competence, care, and character. Research in organizational leadership identifies three core elements of trustworthiness—ability, benevolence, and integrity—as the foundation upon which trust is built (Colquitt, Scott, & LePine, 2007).

This article introduces both a framework for understanding trustworthiness in leadership and a broader work in progress, Age of Sail. This book examines leadership not through abstract theory alone, but through the lived experiences—fictionalized, yet deeply realistic—of naval officers during one of the most demanding periods in history. At sea, leadership is immediate and unforgiving. There is no time for theory when a storm is rising or an enemy ship is closing. It is in these moments that leadership is revealed.

From these experiences emerges a simple framework: a leader can do, a leader will do, and a leader does what is right.

Trustworthiness as the Foundation of Leadership

Trustworthiness is built on three dimensions: ability, benevolence, and integrity. Ability reflects competence; benevolence reflects intent toward others; and integrity reflects consistency with ethical principles. These elements are not interchangeable—they each independently contribute to trust and are strongly related to outcomes such as performance and risk-taking behavior (Colquitt et al., 2007).

In practice, this means that followers are constantly evaluating their leaders, asking three fundamental questions:

• Can this person lead me?

• Will this person act in my best interest?

• Will this person do what is right?

The Age of Sail provides vivid answers to each of these questions.

Can Do: The Foundation of Competence

The first test of leadership is competence.

In Treason’s Harbor, Captain Jack Aubrey faces a sudden squall—one of the most dangerous conditions a sailing vessel can encounter. The wind shifts violently, visibility drops, and the margin for error disappears. There is no committee, no delay, no second chance. Orders must be given immediately, and they must be correct.

Aubrey does not hesitate. He acts with precision, issuing commands that his crew executes without question. What is striking is not just his decisiveness, but his expectation: competence is assumed. Seamanship is not praised; its absence is condemned as “discreditable, if not downright wicked” .

In that moment, trust is not discussed—it is demonstrated.

The crew follows because they know he can do the job.

This reflects the core principle of ability. Without competence, leadership fails before it begins. Research confirms that ability is one of the strongest predictors of trust, as followers must believe their leader has the skills necessary to succeed (Colquitt et al., 2007).

Competence creates credibility. And credibility is the first step toward trust.

Will Do: The Test of Intent

Competence answers the first question, but it leads immediately to the second:

Will this leader act in my best interest?

This is the domain of benevolence.

In the Ramage series, Nicholas Ramage demonstrates a different kind of leadership. He is not only competent—he is intentional in how he develops his men. One of his officers reflects that Ramage is like a mirror, showing a man not who he is, but who he could become—and leaving him believing that he is that man.

This is not authority. This is influence.

Ramage does more than command; he invests in his people. He recognizes potential, builds confidence, and creates an environment where individuals rise to meet expectations. His leadership is not about control—it is about growth.

This is benevolence in practice.

It is also reflected in the culture aboard naval ships, where leaders rely on the strengths of their crews and foster mutual respect. Leadership is not simply about issuing orders; it is about understanding people and aligning their abilities toward a shared purpose.

Research supports this dynamic. Benevolence signals to followers that a leader’s intentions are not self-serving, which increases trust and strengthens commitment (Colquitt et al., 2007).

People may follow a competent leader.
They commit to a leader who cares.

Does What Is Right: The Measure of Integrity

The final test of leadership is integrity.

Horatio Hornblower provides a powerful example. Known for his competence and discipline, Hornblower is equally defined by his internal standard. When he makes a mistake, he does not deflect blame. Instead, he reflects:

If it was ignorance, there was no excuse… that was incompetence, and there was no excuse for incompetence.

This is more than self-criticism—it is a commitment to principle.

Hornblower understands that leadership is not situational. Standards do not change based on convenience. Integrity requires consistency, even when it is uncomfortable or costly.

This consistency builds reputation. It also builds trust.

Followers may not always agree with a leader’s decisions, but they must believe those decisions are grounded in principles. Integrity ensures that leadership is predictable and reliable.

Research confirms that integrity is a critical driver of trust, as it signals alignment between a leader’s words and actions (Colquitt et al., 2007).

Without integrity, leadership collapses.
With it, leadership endures.

Bringing It Together: Trustworthiness in Action

The three elements of trustworthiness—ability, benevolence, and integrity—are not independent. They are interdependent, each reinforcing the others.

• Aubrey demonstrates ability, earning immediate confidence in crisis.

• Ramage demonstrates benevolence, building loyalty and commitment.

• Hornblower demonstrates integrity, sustaining trust over time.

Together, they answer the three essential questions of leadership:

• Can you lead me?

• Will you act for me?

• Will you do what is right?

When all three answers are yes, trust emerges.

The Age of Sail project brings these concepts to life, using narrative to bridge theory and practice. Through these stories, leadership is not simply defined—it is experienced.

Conclusion

Trustworthiness is the foundation of effective leadership. Grounded in competence, care, and character, it enables leaders to influence, inspire, and achieve results. While modern research provides a framework for understanding these concepts, the Age of Sail demonstrates them in action.

The book Age of Sail seeks to explore these lessons in depth, offering readers a narrative-driven approach to leadership. By following the journeys of fictional naval officers, readers gain insight into the realities of leadership—its challenges, its responsibilities, and its demands.

Ultimately, leadership is not proven in comfort, but in challenge. And in those moments, the same truth applies:

A leader must be able.
A leader must be willing.
A leader must be right.

References

Colquitt, J. A., Scott, B. A., & LePine, J. A. (2007). Trust, trustworthiness, and trust propensity: A meta-analytic test of their unique relationships with risk taking and job performance. Journal of Applied Psychology, 92(4), 909–927.

Forester, C. S. (1951). Commodore Hornblower. Little, Brown and Company.

Forester, C. S. (1962). Hornblower and the Hotspur. Little, Brown and Company.

Foster, R. E. (2026). Leadership in the Age of Sail (Unpublished manuscript).

Kent, A. (1972). To glory we steer (Bolitho series). Hutchinson.

O’Brian, P. (1990). Treason’s harbour. W. W. Norton & Company.

Pope, D. (1969). Ramage and the drumbeat. Weidenfeld & Nicolson.

Pentagon Press Secretary Celebrates Air Force Leadership School Graduates at Nationals Park

Feb. 13, 2026 | By Army Maj. Wes Shinego, Pentagon News |

Airmen and guardians traded in a traditional auditorium for the ballpark as they celebrated their graduation from the Donald L. Harlow Airman Leadership School at Nationals Park in Washington, yesterday, leaving with a bigger takeaway than a certificate: the ability to lead others.

Pentagon Press Secretary Kingsley Wilson attended the ceremony hosted by the 316th Wing at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. She used her remarks to draw a straight line between her recent transition and the one the graduates are about to make. 

Washington Nationals Senior Vice President of Community and Government Engagement Gregory McCarthy introduced Wilson, and the ceremony — complete with colors, anthem and invocation — gave the graduates and their families a moment to pause and celebrate together. 

"Now you're stepping into the transition [Airman Leadership School] is built for: moving from being the one who gets the job done — to being the one who makes sure the team gets the job done," Wilson told the service members. 

The leadership school is the first level of enlisted professional military education and a milestone required before being promoted to staff sergeant, Wilson said. The course is 192 hours over 24 academic days focused on culture, mission, leadership and problem-solving — training designed to help the service members think and respond when the environment is "complex and ambiguous." 

Wilson didn't spend much time on the curriculum, however. Instead, she spoke about what happens when responsibility shows up faster than you expect. 

"A lot of you are in the same [stage] of life I'm in," she said. 

Not long ago, Wilson said, she was early in her career, "learning fast, trying to earn trust," working in communication, where the pace is relentless and mistakes travel fast. Then she took the oath as a presidential appointee and became the Pentagon press secretary. 

"Overnight, my job changed. I didn't just have tasks — I had a mission," she said. "And I learned quickly that leadership is not about having a title. It's about carrying responsibility." 

That's the same shift the Airman Leadership School is built to reinforce, Wilson told the graduates — becoming the first line of leadership for junior enlisted who are learning the job, testing boundaries and sometimes wondering if they belong. 

Wilson offered three lessons she said apply "directly to the stripes you're stepping into."

First, she told them, "clarity is key." New supervisors shouldn't hide behind buzzwords or overcomplicate guidance.  

"Give clear standards, clear expectations and clear feedback," she said. "Confusion is not a strategy. Clarity is." 

Second, Wilson said, "standards are not optional." Leaders can feel pressure to make things easier or accept "good enough," she warned, but subordinates watch what supervisors tolerate. "If you want a culture of excellence, you must enforce excellence — quietly, consistently, every day." 

Finally, Wilson reminded the service members to take care of people "the right way — by building them into warfighters."  

Mission and people aren't competing priorities, she said, the mission depends on warfighters who are trained, disciplined and trusted — and leaders who coach, correct and protect them "not from standards, but from confusion, chaos and bad leadership."

With the ceremony taking place in a baseball stadium, Wilson used the setting to make her point. "Leadership is not a solo sport," she said, comparing effective supervision to teams that do the basics together: communicate, cover each other and adjust when something goes wrong. 

In a class made up of active-duty service members from 19 career fields and units across seven major commands, Wilson said the details of each job may differ — but the expectations of a noncommissioned officer don't. 

"You are ready for that — not because you're perfect, but because you've been trained, you've been tested, and you've chosen to step forward," she said. 

Before leaving the podium, Wilson thanked the families and friends for standing behind the graduates, then closed with a reminder meant to sound simple — and to be taken seriously. 

"So let me be crystal clear on one last point: you earned this. Congratulations!" she said. "Now go lead."

When the Top Stops Talking: The Organizational Cost of Communication Failure Among Senior Influencers

Communication failures among senior influencers represent one of the most damaging yet least visible threats to organizational health. While breakdowns at lower levels often produce immediate operational errors, failures among senior leaders quietly distort meaning, authority, and direction across the entire system. Senior influencers do not merely transmit information; they create coherence. When communication between them deteriorates, organizations experience fragmentation, mistrust, and strategic drift long before measurable decline becomes apparent.

Senior influencers include both formally appointed executives and informal power holders whose experience, credibility, or historical authority shape decisions. Their influence operates vertically and horizontally, affecting how priorities are interpreted and enacted throughout the organization. Because of this positioning, miscommunication among senior influencers carries disproportionate consequences. It signals instability at the source of meaning-making, leaving others to infer intent, fill gaps, or align with perceived power centers rather than shared purpose.

One of the most common causes of communication failure among senior influencers is the substitution of assumptions for dialogue. Leaders often believe shared experience guarantees shared understanding, overlooking the reality that perspectives diverge as roles and incentives evolve. Power dynamics further complicate communication, as senior leaders may withhold dissent to preserve relationships, status, or perceived unity. Over time, difficult conversations are deferred, and indirect communication through intermediaries replaces direct engagement. These patterns foster parallel conversations that fracture leadership alignment while maintaining an illusion of consensus.

The immediate organizational effects of such failures are subtle but corrosive. Middle managers receive inconsistent signals regarding priorities, accountability, and acceptable risk. Decision-making slows as leaders hesitate to act without clear backing, or accelerates in conflicting directions as individuals follow different senior cues. In the absence of clear, unified communication, informal rumor networks emerge, often carrying greater credibility than official messages. This dynamic erodes confidence in leadership coherence and encourages strategic improvisation rather than disciplined execution.

From a cultural perspective, communication failures among senior influencers undermine trust and psychological safety. Employees quickly detect when senior leaders are misaligned, even if disagreements are unspoken. This perception discourages upward communication, as individuals become unsure which messages are welcome or which leader truly holds authority. Factionalism may emerge, with loyalty shifting from institutional values to individual patrons. Over time, cynicism replaces commitment, particularly among emerging leaders who interpret silence and ambiguity as self-protective behavior rather than stewardship.

These dynamics are well explained by Transformational Leadership Theory, which emphasizes the role of leaders in articulating a clear, shared vision and modeling values through consistent behavior. According to Burns and later Bass, transformational leaders align followers by integrating purpose, meaning, and moral authority. When senior influencers fail to communicate effectively with one another, the collective leadership ceases to function transformationally. Vision fragments, values appear situational, and influence becomes transactional, driven by power rather than shared commitment. The organization may retain capable individuals, but it loses the unifying narrative that sustains long-term performance.

Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory further illuminates the damage caused by senior communication failures. LMX focuses on the quality of relationships between leaders and followers, emphasizing trust, respect, and mutual obligation. When senior influencers are misaligned, followers experience inconsistent exchanges, receiving mixed signals about expectations and rewards. High-quality exchanges become unevenly distributed, often based on proximity to specific leaders rather than merit or role clarity. This imbalance reinforces perceptions of favoritism and undermines organizational justice, further weakening engagement and performance.

Strategically, communication failures at the senior level dilute intent and accountability. Strategy becomes interpreted rather than executed, as each leader emphasizes different priorities. Resources are allocated inconsistently, often reflecting internal negotiations rather than strategic logic. When outcomes falter, accountability becomes ambiguous, as no shared narrative exists to explain decisions or assign responsibility. Over time, institutional memory erodes, and continuity is lost as leadership transitions occur without clear alignment or documented rationale.

These failures persist in many organizations because senior leaders are often insulated from corrective feedback. Success can mask early warning signs, while cultural norms may discourage principled disagreement in favor of superficial harmony. Without explicit structures for candid dialogue, senior influencers may lack a shared language for conflict resolution, allowing unresolved tensions to harden into permanent misalignment.

Effective communication among senior influencers requires intentional discipline rather than goodwill alone. It demands regular, direct alignment conversations focused on meaning, not merely updates. Leaders must establish norms that legitimize disagreement while enforcing resolution. Most critically, senior influencers must recognize communication as an act of stewardship. Silence, ambiguity, and inconsistency are not neutral; they are leadership actions with organizational consequences.

Organizations rarely fail because of insufficient talent or information. More often, they fail because those entrusted with influence stop talking to one another when clarity matters most. Restoring communication at the top is therefore not a tactical adjustment, but a moral and strategic imperative.

References

Bass, B. M. (1985). Leadership and performance beyond expectations. Free Press.

Burns, J. M. (1978). Leadership. Harper & Row.

Graen, G. B., & Uhl-Bien, M. (1995). Relationship-based approach to leadership: Development of leader–member exchange (LMX) theory of leadership over 25 years. Leadership Quarterly, 6(2), 219–247.

Hambrick, D. C., & Mason, P. A. (1984). Upper echelons: The organization as a reflection of its top managers. Academy of Management Review, 9(2), 193–206.