Known for transforming the USS Santa Fe from the worst-performing submarine in the fleet to the best, retired U.S. Navy captain David Marquet challenges conventional leadership models by advocating for empowerment, autonomy, and radical perspective shifts. His latest book—Distancing: How Great Leaders Reframe to Make Better Decisions—explores how psychological distancing can sharpen decision-making and unlock wiser leadership choices.
Through stories from the submarine and Silicon Valley boardrooms, Marquet reveals how our brains curate reality to protect our self-image—and how that very instinct can sabotage clarity. Whether you’re leading a team, navigating change, or simply trying to lead yourself more effectively, this conversation offers a compelling framework for stepping back, reframing, and leading with greater insight.
Psychological distancing is a leadership superpower—it allows leaders to step outside their own biases and view situations with greater objectivity.
Your brain doesn’t feed you truth—it feeds you comfort—Leaders must recognize the curated nature of their perceptions to make better decisions.
Self-image can distort reality—Leaders often unconsciously filter information to reinforce their identity, which can hinder growth.
Practice “mental relocation”: When facing a tough decision, ask yourself how someone else might view the situation—or how you’d see it a year from now.
Audit your self-image filters: Reflect on how your identity (e.g., “I’m the hard worker”) might be shaping what you notice or ignore.
Interrupt your default narrative: When you feel triggered or defensive, pause and ask, “What story am I telling myself right now?”
