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Marc Koehler
Former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer | Turnaround CEO | 35+ Years Leading Teams Through Pressure, Uncertainty, and Constant Disruption
Marc is a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO who spent over 35 years leading teams in environments defined by pressure, uncertainty, and constant disruption. He helps organizations stay aligned, make critical decisions without perfect information, and execute with confidence when conditions are rapidly changing.
Bio
Marc Koehler, a former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO, is a rare blend of expertise, engagement, and 35 years of battle-tested, proven experience leading teams in environments defined by pressure, uncertainty, and constant disruption.
While serving aboard nuclear submarines on missions critical to national security, Marc operated in environments where hesitation was not an option and decisions had to be made before all the answers were known. That experience shaped the leadership approach he now teaches organizations around the world through Fast Attack Leadership™ — a practical framework for helping teams stay aligned, strengthen decision-making, and execute with confidence when conditions are rapidly changing.
After leaving the Navy, Marc worked for Honeywell where he learned how to read a profit and loss statement, put together comprehensive strategic plans, and became a Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. When his daughters were 6, 4, and 2, he faced a decision between continuing to climb the corporate ladder or being present for every back-to-school night, choir performance, and soccer practice. He chose the latter and started a turnaround consulting firm, where he developed a reputation for helping organizations stabilize performance and regain momentum during periods of uncertainty and transition.
During this time, Marc witnessed firsthand how quickly organizations can lose alignment when conditions change and how powerful it is when teams are prepared to step forward and make decisions with clarity and confidence. He realized that what organizations need most is not more complexity, but leaders at every level who are ready to act when the situation demands it.
He later founded Lead With Purpose, a leadership development and research firm, where he took the over $1M in leadership training the Navy poured into him, combined with decades of civilian turnaround experience, and distilled it into simple concepts and skills that help organizations strengthen readiness at every level. Over 51,000 leaders have been developed through Lead With Purpose’s SHRM-accredited organizational leadership consulting, coaching, courses, and simple systems.
Marc is keynote speaker addressing audiences of up to 50,000, the best-selling author of Leading With Purpose, and the host of the Surfacing Leaders podcast where he tells the stories of leaders in unlikely places and the human spirit that drives performance when the stakes are high and conditions are uncertain.
Residing in Oceanside, California, Marc is married to his wife Heidi of 30 years and Dad to their three grown daughters, Anja, Liesel, and Sophie.
Keynotes
Featured Keynote
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Fast Attack Leadership: The 5 Step Framework US Nuclear Submarine Officers Use To Create World-Class Teams
In the high-stakes world of submarine warfare, leadership is not a luxury; it's a matter of life and death. Imagine standing on a nuclear submarine's control deck, making split-second decisions that impact the lives of 110 crew members and the fate of a $1 billion vessel. Marc Koehler unveils the extraordinary parallels between submarine command and effective business leadership he found as both a U.S. Nuclear Submarine officer and a turnaround CEO.
As the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, Marc's insights illuminate the core issues plaguing modern leadership and presents the powerful solution — Fast Attack Leadership: The 5-Step Framework US Nuclear Submarine Officers Use To Create World-Class Teams. Discover how this proven methodology can revolutionize your leadership approach and drive your teams towards 9x productivity and 3x higher retention. Cutting-edge leadership data and case studies from Marc’s leadership development and research firm Lead With Purpose, combined with the simple Fast Attack framework will empower you to retool, upskill, and rejuvenate your leadership approach and team.
As the next wave of change looms, you'll be equipped with the tools to steer through challenges with confidence and emerge stronger than ever before.
Keynote Result:
Drive results and adapt with a high-performance culture and a world-class employee experience to attract and retain the best people. Lean in confidently to the tremendous opportunities and challenges ahead, no matter a team member’s official title.
Key Takeaways:
1. The Power of the 5-Step Framework: Attendees will gain a comprehensive understanding of the 5-Step Framework that US Nuclear Submarine Officers employ to create world-class teams. This actionable blueprint will equip them with the tools to lead confidently in the face of uncertainty and disruption.
2. Agility in Adversity: Marc's unique background as a former submarine captain and Turnaround CEO will highlight the parallels between military command and corporate leadership. The audience will learn how to foster agility and adaptability within their teams, enabling them to thrive amidst turbulence.
3. Creating a High-Performance Culture: Through real-world examples and insights, attendees will discover how Fast Attack Leadership cultivates a high-performance culture. They'll learn to align their teams, boost productivity, and drive results even in the most challenging circumstances.
4. Transformative Impact: The keynote will showcase the tangible results that Fast Attack Leadership can achieve. Attendees will understand how the framework can enhance team alignment by up to nine times and boost productivity by four times, translating into real-world success stories.
5. Actionable Strategies for the Future: Armed with the 5-Step Framework, the audience will leave with actionable strategies to implement immediately within their organizations. These strategies encompass fostering engagement, building resilience, enhancing communication, and promoting effective decision-making.
Available as keynote and/or workshop.
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Safety From The Silent Depths: Navigating The Seas Of Safety In High-Stakes Environments
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Course Correct to Success: Cultivating Agility within Your Leadership Team
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Lead With Purpose: The 3-Step Process to Communicating and Connecting Your Employees to Your Company's Inspiring Story and Mission
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Bravo Zulu: Harnessing the Power of Recognitions, Celebrations, and Gratefulness
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The Elite Leader: The Principles to Develop You and Your Team to the Highest Level of Leadership
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Battle E: The Art of Personal and Collective Readiness at your Organization
Topics
- Leadership Trending
- Peak Performance Trending
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