#133 Why Attributes Matter More Than Skills: Former Navy SEAL, Rich Diviney Shares Leadership Insights

In this high value episode, Callum and Rebecca Jenkins are joined by Rich Diviney, a former Navy SEAL commander with over two decades of leadership experience, leading elite teams in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

Rich is also a human performance expert, and the author of The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance, Rich Diviney offers deep insights into the key traits that make a true leader.

From thoughts of becoming a naval aviator to commanding high-performing units, Rich shares  invaluable leadership lessons and attributes that have shaped his career and the success of his teams. He shares practical tips to implement in business.

This conversation dives into the critical difference between skills and attributes, shedding light on why businesses must focus on this to create effective teams capable of performing under pressure.

In this episode, Rich talks about:

• The Key Leadership Attributes (05:12): Discover the powerful traits that define success in high-stakes environments and how they apply to leadership.
• Skills vs. Attributes (08:23): Rich explains why attributes like resilience, adaptability, and emotional intelligence are just as important, if not more so, than technical skills.
• Unlocking Potential with Attributes Inc. (12:56): How Rich’s company applies military, neuroscience, and psychological insights to help organisations build high-performing teams.
• Perseverance vs. Resilience (20:42): The nuanced difference between these two traits and how to cultivate them in your team.
• Building Team Trust (28:11): Rich discusses how small behaviors and consistent actions can build lasting trust, even in the most stressful situations.
• The Science of Team Dynamics (33:59): Learn how subtle behavioral shifts can dramatically improve team cohesion and performance under pressure.

Memorable Quotes from Rich Diviney.

• “When the stakes are high, it’s not the skills you have—it’s the attributes you rely on.”
• “Leadership is about understanding the people you’re leading, knowing their strengths, and pushing them to achieve their best under pressure.”
• “Trust isn’t built with grand gestures—it’s built with small, consistent actions over time.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Rich Diviney’s book: The Attributes: 25 Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance
• The Attributes Assessment Tool: theattributes.com
• Simon Sinek’s work on trust: simonsinek.com

Connect with Rich Diviney:

 

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/richdiviney
• Instagram: @rich_diviney

 

----more----

Subscribe & Follow: If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and follow the Lead To Succeed podcast for more insights on leadership and business growth.

The podcast is brought to you by RJEN

https://RJEN.co.uk

WIN AND SCALE HIGH VALUE CLIENTS If you want to secure high value and enterprise clients. JOIN OUR ONLINE EVENTS HERE https://subscribepage.io/rjenevents

Connect with the show hosts below.

Callum Jenkins

https://www.linkedin.com/in/callumjenkins/

Rebecca Jenkins

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccajenkins-rjen/