Summary

In this episode, Andy talks with Rich Diviney, a retired Navy SEAL commander, about his book, The Attributes: 25 Drivers of Optimal Performance. Rich shares his insights on the difference between attributes and skills, the concept of optimal performance, and how understanding these attributes can help build high-performing teams. They also talk about the importance of dynamic subordination, the relevance of attributes in hiring processes, and how parents can help their children develop these essential traits.

The conversation highlights the need to look beyond resumes and skills when evaluating team members and the value of understanding and developing attributes for individual and team success. If you're looking for an innovative way to better understand and develop yourself and your team, this is a must-listen episode.

Sound Bites

"In stress, challenge, and uncertainty, when things hit the fan, personality tends to go out the window. We're running on these very raw things called attributes."
"We train for certainty; we educate for uncertainty."
"Skills direct our behavior in known and specific environments, but attributes inform our behavior in unknown environments."
"A high-performing team is one that performs optimally even when things are not going great."
"Optimal performance means I'm going to do the very best in the moment, whatever the best looks like in that moment."
"Dynamic subordination means that problems and challenges can come from any angle at any moment. The person who's closest to the problem, the most capable, immediately steps up and takes lead."
"If someone is unwilling to take criticism, they are unwilling to understand what they're doing wrong. They're unwilling to step back and cede control. That is a dangerous place to be in."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction
02:04 Start Of Interview
04:02 Differentiating Skills From Attributes
07:20 Developing Attributes In High-Stress Environments
07:07 Story Of The Non-Swimmer At SEAL Training
08:45 Attributes Vs Character
09:33 The Role Of Context And Environment
12:19 Senior Leaders Who Get Defensive
16:15 The Role Of Narcissism And Optimal Performance
19:39 Peak Performance Vs Optimal Performance
31:26 Training For Certainty Vs. Educating For Uncertainty
33:25 Attributes In Marriage And Parenting
38:43 Wrap-Up Of Interview
39:07 Andy Comments After The Interview
42:02 Outtakes

Learn More

You can learn more about Rich and the attributes at TheAttributes.com.

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Thank you for joining me for this episode of The People and Projects Podcast!

Talent Triangle: Power Skills

The following music was used for this episode:

Music: Echo by Alexander Nakarada
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

Music: Funny by Frank Schroeter
License (CC BY 4.0): https://filmmusic.io/standard-license

PPP 428 | How a Navy SEAL Commander Can Help You Unlock Optimal Team Performance, with Rich Diviney

People and Projects Podcast: Project Management Podcast

PPP 428 | How a Navy SEAL Commander Can Help You Unlock Optimal Team Performance, with Rich Diviney