“The WIN Mentality”
A Guide to Sustainable Leadership and Growth Mindset
Why I'm Writing This Book
After nearly three decades of serving in the U.S. Navy — on deployments, in hospitals, in crisis, interviewed over 100 Commanding and Executive Officers, Senior Enlisted leaders and their civilian equivalent, and in moments of profound human vulnerability — one truth became clear to me: Leadership is not about rank. It’s about the lives we touch and the people we lift. I realized that while many books explore leadership in the military, and many others focus on civilian leadership, almost none teach leaders how to navigate the space between — the space where identity shifts, cultures collide, and growth becomes essential. And as I approached the end of my service, I understood something even more personal: My greatest legacy is not my awards or accomplishments, but the leaders I helped shape and the lessons I can now share. This book is my way of honoring those who taught me, those I served with, and those who will lead the next generation. It captures the wisdom forged through challenge, sacrifice, resilience, and hope — so that others can lead with purpose, courage, and heart.
What This Book Is About
This book extends the mentorship and leadership principles that have defined my career. “The WIN Mentality” provides a comprehensive framework for sustainable leadership development. It moves beyond theory to practical implementation through three integrated components: building your **Inner Core** (character, self-awareness, emotional maturity), developing your **Outer Core** (competence, communication, impact), and translating both into authentic leadership through habits, purpose, transition navigation, and legacy building.
What This Book Is and Isn’t
What It Is
This is a practical guide grounded in 27 years of lived experience, informed by behavioral science, and tested through real-world application.
Every framework in this book—the WIN Mentality, the Three Brutal Truths, the Inner and Outer Core, Leadership Habits, Purpose 3.0—is something I have used, refined, and taught.
This book is also a bridge. It was written for leaders navigating transition—whether from military to civilian, from one role to another, or from reactive leadership to intentional leadership. The principles apply to any leader who is serious about excellence.
What It Isn’t
This is not a book about perfection. Leadership is difficult. Even the best leaders get tired, frustrated, and uncertain.
This is not a book about motivation. You don’t need another inspirational speech.
You need structure.
You need systems.
You need practices that make excellence sustainable.
This is not a book claiming there is one right way to lead. Leadership is personal. Your identity matters. These frameworks provide foundation and support—you customize them.
** Every purchase of “The WIN Mentality” directly supports the operational costs of The Compass Point Program and helps scale veterans’ outreach and program support nationwide.
How Readers’ Attitudes and Views Will Change
After reading this book, leaders will experience fundamental shifts:
From self-doubt to capability awareness.** They’ll understand they possess the capacity for extraordinary leadership right now.
From individual achievement to multiplied impact.** They’ll recognize that their greatest contribution is developing others who continue the work after they leave.
From drifting through transitions to navigating them intentionally. They’ll have frameworks for major life changes—military-to-civilian, role changes, organizational shifts.
**From theory to practice.** They’ll move beyond knowing what good leadership looks like to consistently doing it through embedded habits and systems.
**From fragmented leadership to integrated authenticity.** They’ll see how character and competence, purpose and impact, personal growth and organizational influence all connect and reinforce each other.
Readers finish this book not just inspired but equipped with actionable frameworks for transformation.
Thank you!