Adam Outland

John says that most people think in order to achieve monumental things, it comes down to grandiose moments. But that's not really how things work. It's constant forward motion, building upon short-term ambitions towards long-term aspirations. For the full interview and more, check out Action Catalyst episode 467 with John Miles.

John says that most people think in order to achieve monumental things, it comes down to grandiose moments. But that's not really how things work. It's constant forward motion, building upon short-term ambitions towards long-term aspirations. For the full interview and more, check out Action Catalyst episode 467 with John Miles.

Today's guest is John Miles, a former naval officer, an author, entrepreneur, Fortune 50 senior executive, and award-winning podcast host who has established himself as an expert in behavioral change and leadership.

Today's guest is John Miles, a former naval officer, an author, entrepreneur, Fortune 50 senior executive, and award-winning podcast host who has established himself as an expert in behavioral change and leadership.

His book, Passion Struck, along with the podcast and radio show of the same name, have earned praise from many, including some past Action Catalyst guests, such as Matt Higgins, Mark Devine, and Marshall Goldsmith. So John, good to meet you. You too, Adam.

His book, Passion Struck, along with the podcast and radio show of the same name, have earned praise from many, including some past Action Catalyst guests, such as Matt Higgins, Mark Devine, and Marshall Goldsmith. So John, good to meet you. You too, Adam.

You know, one of the things that I do like talking to our guests about, and I kind of probably wanted to open with you some, is focusing a lot on the journey. You know, most of our guests didn't necessarily have a master plan from the age of 10 on being where they are today. It's evolved over time.

You know, one of the things that I do like talking to our guests about, and I kind of probably wanted to open with you some, is focusing a lot on the journey. You know, most of our guests didn't necessarily have a master plan from the age of 10 on being where they are today. It's evolved over time.

What was the evolution that you went through, different iterations that you were considering doing along the way?

What was the evolution that you went through, different iterations that you were considering doing along the way?

And in reflection, did you feel like that path was the right one?

And in reflection, did you feel like that path was the right one?

I think each phase of our life, we pull and extract different lessons that we end up being able to leverage later on. And I could assume some of the lessons that you might have learned at the Naval Academy where I think you were also an athlete as well.

I think each phase of our life, we pull and extract different lessons that we end up being able to leverage later on. And I could assume some of the lessons that you might have learned at the Naval Academy where I think you were also an athlete as well.

Yeah. What are some of the lessons you pulled from that earlier formative experience that you were able to leverage in your professional and consulting career?

Yeah. What are some of the lessons you pulled from that earlier formative experience that you were able to leverage in your professional and consulting career?

So you're out of the Naval Academy and take this kind of windy road that gets you to consulting and then from consulting into senior executive roles with fairly large companies.

So you're out of the Naval Academy and take this kind of windy road that gets you to consulting and then from consulting into senior executive roles with fairly large companies.

Yeah. One of the things that you write about is the need for curiosity. There's some points that you make about both the need for curiosity and the bias to action. So where did this evolve for you on a personal level? And then how have you explored this over the course of your career?

Yeah. One of the things that you write about is the need for curiosity. There's some points that you make about both the need for curiosity and the bias to action. So where did this evolve for you on a personal level? And then how have you explored this over the course of your career?