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The Other Side of Potential
Over time, the conversations we choose to have begin to reflect what matters most.
If you’ve been part of this podcast, you’ve heard me speak about human development, systems thinking, and the ways we make meaning of our lives and work. That work continues—and remains at the core of my coaching and professional practice.
What has changed is the space where I am choosing to have a different kind of conversation.
After the death of my son, Michael, I felt called to create a more personal place—one that speaks directly to the experience of loss, and to the questions that emerge when life no longer looks the way it once did.
That space is now Beyond the Loss.
This podcast is for parents who have lost a child, and for those who support them. It is not about fixing grief or finding closure, but about understanding how we continue to live, to make meaning, and to become—after loss.
If you are looking for my current podcast,
you will now find me there.
I invite you to join me on Beyond the Loss.
You are welcome.
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wqQ8MwCty4eJAiZ8VroUV?si=0b4c5d3bab6a4b64
The Other Side of Potential
Episode 350: Best Of: Combat-Tested Leadership with Navy SEAL Stephen Drum
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
To become a Navy SEAL you need to endure years of grueling training, and it is only a very small portion of those who start the process end up completing it. In this powerful “Best Of” episode, Dr. Sharon Spano revisits her conversation with Stephen Drum, a retired Navy SEAL Master Chief who served in combat zones around the world and now helps organizations build high-performance cultures.
Stephen shares battle-tested lessons on courage, accountability, and resilience—and how the same principles that guide elite military teams can transform leadership in business and life. He discusses why preparation, trust, and communication are non-negotiables for success, and how leaders can create environments where people are inspired to give their best under pressure.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
- Why elite military principles apply directly to business leadership
- The importance of training for critical moments before they arrive
- How to build trust and accountability within your team
- Why clear communication under pressure saves lives—and improves results in business
- How leaders can foster resilience and adaptability in times of uncertainty
- The role of courage in both combat and the workplace
- Practical steps to prepare yourself and your team for high-stakes situations
- Why failure is part of growth and how to recover quickly when mistakes happen
- How Stephen transitioned from Navy SEAL leadership to coaching corporate teams
- Lessons every leader can use to stay calm, focused, and mission-driven
Additional Resources:
Website: https://stephendrum.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-drum-643695135/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stephen.drum.967
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stephen.drum/?hl=en
Book: https://www.amazon.com/Life-Meeting-Challenge-Confidence-Readiness/dp/B0BTGXNWNY
Transcript: Here
Sharon Spano:
Website: sharonspano.com
Facebook: facebook.com/SharonSpanoPHD
Instagram: instagram.com/drsharonspano/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sharonspano/
Book: thetimemoneybook.com
Contact: sharon@sharonspano.com
Substack: substack.com/@drsharon
The Other Side of Potential Podcast: sharonspano.com/podcast/