This week, I am delving deeper into my journey, building on what I revealed in last month’s article, “How I Became a Trusted Advisor and a Transformational Change Agent,” and exploring my commitment to the principle of mission first and people always as outlined in “Mission First, People Always – Crafting a Vibrant, Excellence-Centered Culture.”
My Essence
I am a dynamic leader, a former sailor and key figure in the defense industry. As a husband and father, I extend my leadership to my family. My roles as a teacher and preacher in my local church and as Founder and President of J.S. Simpson & Associates reflect my multifaceted identity. My mission is ambitious: to cultivate a community of one thousand leaders dedicated to spiritual growth and service, fostering passion, purpose, and connection to each other, and Christ, one person at a time.
My Achievements
With over 36 years of experience in the U.S. Navy and the Department of the Navy, I have led a team of over 200 people from industry, university, and government while at Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), setting new standards in software development with a hybrid DevSecOps approach. My earlier Navy role as an Acoustic Intelligence Specialist led to significant responsibility and advancement. Beyond technical expertise, I am a mentor and transformational change agent in the corporate and spiritual realms, backed by leadership experience with the U.S. Navy and advanced Divinity, Christian Ministry, and Religion degrees.
My Evolution
My natural leadership tendencies—focus, strategic thinking, and decisiveness—have been recognized and honed for three decades. Tools like Clifton Strengths and the DISC personality model underline my drive for control, quality, and achievement. Yet, I acknowledge that every strength has its shadow side, which can lead to unintended consequences if not managed with care.
My Challenges
My early life was riddled with instability and abandonment, fostering trust issues and fear of failure, betrayal, and loneliness. My military training taught me to suppress discomfort, making me seem demanding and distant. Unknowingly, I lived by the mindset that Brené Brown calls “Vikings or Victims.” Subconsciously, I chose domination of others over weakness. Despite my precision and efficiency at home and the workplace, this strong controlling nature often overshadowed my commitment to “Mission First and People Always.”
My Transformation
My personal and professional challenges culminated with a profound burnout between 2015 and 2018, beginning a transformative journey. With divine guidance, I have embarked on a path of self-reflection and growth, learning to integrate my previous leadership style with empathy, active listening, and servant leadership. This journey has reshaped my approach to leadership into one of EmPowerful℠ Leadership. This balanced and deliberate relational style prioritizes effective decision-making and genuine connections while serving others with humility and understanding before activating.
As a renewed leader, I am committed to fostering environments where mission and people harmoniously drive success and where leaders can guide their family, workplace, church, and community toward a future of growth while everyone feels empowered and valued.
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