Marc Koehler

In the high-stakes world of submarine warfare, having a world-class team that is highly resilient and agile is not a luxury; it's a matter of life and death. Imagine spending 1000+ days under the surface of the ocean, cramped into a cold, steel tube, with no sunlight or fresh air, and completely isolated from family and loved ones and having to make split-second decisions that impact the lives of 110 crew members and the fate of a $1B vessel. 

It was only through a purpose-driven culture, which is best expressed by the submarine motto "Either we all Come to the Surface or No One Does"  that they were able to complete missions critical to national security and be resilient and agile in the face of dynamic change and adversity. 

In this keynote, Marc unveils the extraordinary parallels between submarine command and effective business leadership he found as both a US Nuclear Submarine Officer and turnaround CEO for struggling companies. Marc shares compelling stories from 400 feet below the surface of the ocean and in countless struggling businesses and how Fast Attack Leadership is what is needed today by leaders to create world-class teams that are 9X more aligned, 4X more engaged, and highly resilient and agile. 

• The Power of the 5-Step Framework: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the 5-Step Framework that US Nuclear Submarine Officers employ to create world-class teams. 
• Resilience and Agility in Adversity: Learn how to foster resiliency, agility, & adaptability within teams, enabling them to thrive amidst turbulence. 
• Creating a High-Performance Culture: Align their teams, boost productivity, and drive results even in the most challenging circumstances.
• Transformative Impact: How the Fast Attack framework & mindset significantly increases personal & collective connection and resiliency.
• Actionable Strategies for the Future: Leave with actionable strategies to implement immediately within their organizations.  

Research is showing us that 95% of employees don't how what they do connects to making a difference in the world, eroding employee engagement, productivity, and retention. In Marc Koehler's keynote Lead With Purpose, he presents The 3-Step Process to Communicating and Connecting Employees to Your Company's Inspiring Story.

He shares his transition from the U.S. Navy to the corporate world, where he learned the intricacies of big business tools and strategies. However, his early experiences as an interim CEO revealed a startling truth: despite having complex management systems, most employees lacked a genuine connection to their company's mission and purpose. This realization ignited Marc's pursuit of a new approach that would create engaged, empowered, and encouraged teams: an E3 CultureTM powered by purpose. By using images, code words, and a clear narrative derived from the Silent Service, leaders can empower their teams to understand not only their individual roles but also their collective impact on the company's long-term success.

Consider this keynote the new Start With Why for this generation.

• Understanding the Importance of Purpose: Comprehend the critical role of purpose-driven leadership in today's disruptive environment.
• Exploring the Fast Attack Framework: Gain an in-depth understanding of the Fast Attack framework and grasp how each step contributes to fostering employee engagement and alignment.
• Simplifying Complex Concepts: Learn effective strategies to distill complex organizational concepts into simple, memorable formats.
• Measuring and Addressing Disengagement: Acquire the skills to identify signs of disengagement and understand its implications for productivity and performance.
• Applying Purpose-Driven Leadership: Leave with practical insights on leveraging the Fast Attack framework. 

In Safety From the Silent Depths, Marc Koehler, former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer and esteemed Elite Leadership expert, draws from a wealth of experiences that span from the depths of the ocean to the helm of Fortune 200 companies. Having spent 300 days per year under the ocean's surface as the SUBSAFE Quality Assurance & Safety Officer, Marc understands the critical importance of safety, readiness, and swift decision-making in life-threatening situations where every moment counts. Through his journey, he has uncovered the essence of safety, transforming it from a mere organizational practice into a way of life.

In this gripping keynote, Marc delves into the core principles that, among other accomplishments, earned his two coveted Battle E awards during his tenure in the U.S. Nuclear Submarine Force and reduced OSHA Safety incidents by 34% for a Fortune 200 Aerospace and Automotive Manufacturer. He explores his unique framework, emphasizing the power of leading with purpose before the process. Marc reveals the transformative impact of engaging and connecting every team member, addressing the three fundamental human needs that drive us all. With a focus on purpose-driven leadership, Marc's real-world, declassified stories and research-backed insights extend beyond mere compliance, offering a profound perspective on how safety can become ingrained in the fabric of an organization and its people.

• Purposeful Leadership: Learn how purpose-driven leaders can instill a sense of meaning and commitment, elevating safety practices from obligatory routines to passionate endeavors.
• Human Connection: Learn how fulfilling the three things humans crave can create a supportive environment where safety is a shared responsibility.
• Swift Decision-Making: Understand the critical role of decisive actions in mitigating risks and ensuring the safety of every team member.
• QA and PM Programs: Compelling case study of how the U.S. Submarine Force has successfully ensured the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of these extraordinary vessels.
• Transformative Safety Culture: Explore practical methods to empower employees, encouraging them to become ambassadors for safety. 

A transformative journey into the heart of leadership excellence, Marc Koehler's The Elite Leader keynote offers a roadmap for personal and organizational transformation, setting you and your team on the path to the Highest Level of Leadership.

Marc guides the audience through the evolution of Elite Leadership, from its origins in the military to its modern-day significance in the workplace. Marc unveils why Elite Leadership was imperative for military survival and why the ever-changing work environment now demands its application. You'll gain insights into transforming your leadership mindset and developing the skills needed to thrive amidst disruptions. Marc's keynote empowers you to champion a culture of shared leadership, where every team member becomes an Elite Leader, prepared to tackle challenges head-on.

Equip yourself with actionable strategies to instill readiness, cultivate situational awareness, and foster critical thinking within your organization. Marc's engaging narrative draws from real-world experiences and offers practical tools to effect meaningful cultural change.

• Historical Roots of Elite Leadership: Understand the origins of Elite Leadership in the military, revealing its relevance in modern workplaces.
• Transitioning to Modern Demands: Explore the parallels between historical military necessity and the current forces pushing organizations to embrace Elite Leadership.
• Transforming Your Leadership Mindset: Learn the essential steps to reframe your approach to leadership, embracing the Elite Leader mindset.
• Cultivating Shared Leadership: Discover the tools and strategies to create a culture where each team member is recognized as a leader.
• Empowering Organizational Readiness: Gain actionable insights to instill situational awareness, critical thinking, and readiness within your team, enabling them to navigate disruptions with agility and confidence. 

In the face of challenges, one moment of recognition can transform exhaustion into engagement, turning a burnt-out individual into a motivated team player. The reality is, however, that we aren't doing a good job in the U.S. of recognizing our employees and capitalizing on this powerful practice. In fact, 85% of U.S. employees say they aren't recognized enough at work.

Drawing from his own experiences, Marc Koehler unveils the profound impact of recognizing and celebrating the efforts of individuals in his keynote Bravo Zulu: Harnessing the Power of Recognitions, Celebrations, and Gratefulness. He delves into the science and psychology behind the act of recognition and maintaining a state of gratefulness, sharing valuable insights on how leaders can create a culture of recognition that drives exceptional performance.

In today's fast-paced world, where appreciation can often go overlooked, Marc illuminates the path to creating an environment where each individual's efforts are celebrated, leading to remarkable business outcomes, reduced turnover, and a sense of purpose that resonates throughout the organization.

• Define Your Company's Bravo Zulu: Discover the transformative power of recognition and how it connects everyone to the mission.
• The Science of Recognition: Explore the link between recognition, human needs, and dopamine release in the brain.
• Impact on Employee Engagement: Gain insights via studies that reveal the direct correlation between recognition frequency and increased engagement levels.
• The Art of Storytelling: Explore a 4- part framework for crafting memorable recognition stories that inspire and resonate.
• The Power of Public Recognition: Uncover why public recognition enhances the emotional impact, triggers empathy, and multiplies the positive effects of recognition. 

In the military, readiness is not just a goal; it's a way of life. It's about being fully prepared for the mission at hand, anticipating the unexpected, and thriving amidst disruptions. Marc Koehler brings to light the powerful concept of "Battle E," a prestigious award presented to select U.S. Navy ships, submarines, and units that exhibit unparalleled readiness in the keynote Battle E: The Art of Personal and Collective Readiness.

Marc himself received two 'Battle E' awards during his distinguished submariner career, a testament to his firsthand experience in achieving and sustaining peak readiness and performance both personally and collectively. Unlock the military's innovative expertise-driven matrixed teams approach, where individuals with specialized skills step up in their areas of mastery.

Battle E is your guide to transition from a hierarchical organization to a matrixed organization that will empower your teams and propel your company to readiness at every level for this new, disruptive world.

• Operational Readiness Mindset: Understand the significance of fostering a culture where every individual, team, and department is primed for disruptions and challenges.
• Empowering Transformation: Transition from traditional hierarchical structures to matrixed organizations where employees are empowered and meet high expectations.
• Expertise-Driven Matrixed Teams: Explore how the military's strategy of having the right person take point in their area of expertise.
• Cultivating Learning-At-Speed: Learn to nurture a learning-focused culture that equips individuals to adapt, innovate, and step up whenever the mission calls.
• Question-Centric Leadership: Explore how the military's emphasis on asking impactful questions fuels critical thinking, knowledge sharing, and preparedness.  

Picture this: a workforce fully connected to the mission, brimming with engagement, and eager to seize responsibility and make crucial decisions. This ideal scenario hinges on enabling every individual, irrespective of rank, to step up and take well-informed shots. 

In today's landscape, the triumph belongs to the teams that consistently make the smartest decisions at breakneck speed. Marc Koehler advocates for leadership where every team member is empowered to do just that-nurturing a culture that thrives on agility. In the relentless and ever-shifting landscape of today's business world, the capacity to navigate uncertainty, make well-informed choices, and pivot with precision stands as the cornerstone of triumphant leadership. 

Join Marc for a journey through the intricacies of rapid decision-making in Course Correct to Success: Cultivating Agility within Your Leadership Team. Drawing upon his 35 years of hands-on expertise, he unveils a transformative blueprint that empowers leaders across all tiers to steer their teams toward unparalleled victory. 

• Agile Decision-Making Empowers Success: Navigate ambiguity, make informed choices, and pivot swiftly to best guide teams toward victory.
• Decentralized Decision-Making Amplifies Impact: Understand that when decision authority is distributed, teams make more, smart decisions.
• Overcoming Decision Fatigue and Choice Overload: Embracing the 40- 70 principle encourages a shift in mindset, allowing leaders and teams to make informed decisions even when faced with uncertainty.
• Leveraging Technology for Agility: Simple Systems like Fast Attack serve as invaluable tools for keeping everyone connected, informed, and focused on their goals.
• Embracing Ambiguity and Taking the Shot: Begin accepting that initial decisions are not final and adopting a continuous course correction approach.