Mark “Moose” McGrath met the Honorable Thomas Modly through a mentor at a Navy football game. Mark and I had both read Modly’s book, Vectors. It looks at a culture we know well, Navy culture, from the top. We asked him about his path from the Naval Academy to the Pentagon.
From the academy to the Pentagon
Modly describes roles from teaching at the Air Force Academy to pushing efficiency reforms inside the Pentagon. He explains the cultural habits of the Navy and the challenges its leaders face today.
Civilian authority
We talk about the balance of civilian authority over military operations. The events aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt during the COVID-19 outbreak in 2020 come up. Modly reflects on decisions made under heavy public scrutiny and what he learned from them.
Questioning the norm
We connect his experience to The Flow System and how high-performing teams work in complex environments. Agile thinking and the willingness to question established norms run through the conversation. Modly also talks about the personal cost of leading through change.
Modly says he donates the proceeds from Vectors to charities that support Navy and Marine Corps veterans.
Which established norm in your organization deserves a hard question?
Listen and watch:
Apple Podcasts:
Spotify:
No Way Out on YouTube:
https://youtube.com/@nowayoutpodcast