What does it take to create high-performing teams that excel in any environment, from the battlefield to the boardroom? On this episode, we're joined by Navy SEAL veteran William Branum and HR powerhouse Brenda Neckvatal, co-authors of Mission Ready: Building High-Performing Teams from the Battlefield to the Boardroom. Together, they share riveting stories, real-world strategies, and invaluable lessons from their combined experiences. Whether you’re a leader in the workplace or navigating group dynamics in challenging situations, this conversation will empower you to lead with confidence and resilience.
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Battle-Tested Leadership: My Conversation with Brenda Neckvatal and William Branum on Accountability, Culture, and Human-Centered Success
On this episode of The Prestigious Initiative, I had the honor of sitting down with two powerhouse leaders: Brenda Neckvatal, an expert in human resources, people operations, and organizational strategy; and William Branum, retired Navy SEAL and founder of Naked Warrior Recovery. Their combined experience—Brenda’s in the boardroom and William’s on the battlefield—brought a unique, no-BS conversation about leadership, resilience, and building high-functioning teams.
Whether you’re running a business, leading a family, or trying to become a better version of yourself, this conversation cut through the noise with wisdom, clarity, and tactical advice.
Let’s dive into the biggest takeaways.
Leadership Is a Lifestyle, Not a Job Title
From the jump, William dropped one of the most important truths in leadership: you don’t need a title to lead.
“You don’t wait until someone gives you the ‘leader’ label,” he said. “You start by leading yourself—and others will follow.”
Coming from a SEAL background, William has seen firsthand how accountability, trust, and competence determine who people follow, not rank or role. And in the civilian world? It’s no different. People respond to actions, not positions.
Host Insight: That’s one of those universal truths. Whether you’re in a combat zone or a startup, leadership starts with how you show up—consistently and authentically.
High Standards Create High Performance
Brenda’s leadership style is rooted in accountability and communication, especially in workplace culture. One of her core messages? People need to know what’s expected of them.
“If you don’t set standards and hold people to them, you’re enabling dysfunction,” she said. “Clarity isn’t micromanagement—it’s leadership.”
She explained how healthy teams don’t happen by accident. They happen when leaders set the bar high—and support their teams in rising to meet it.
That includes:
- Clear SOPs (standard operating procedures)
- Transparent communication
- Ongoing feedback
- Ownership from everyone—top to bottom
Takeaway: You don’t create culture by writing it on a wall. You build it by what you tolerate, celebrate, and consistently model.
The Importance of Being Uncomfortable
One theme that kept coming up? Growth is uncomfortable—and it should be.
William described how SEAL training conditioned him to embrace discomfort as a path to clarity and power. He now helps leaders build what he calls a “get naked mindset”—stripping away ego, excuses, and self-sabotage.
“Getting naked is about vulnerability,” he explained. “It’s about being real with yourself, your mistakes, your fears—and choosing to move anyway.”
Brenda added that discomfort is also necessary for developing emotional maturity. Avoiding hard conversations, tough decisions, or real accountability only makes things worse in the long run.
Insight: Both Brenda and William brought the heat here. You don’t become strong by avoiding friction. You build it in the fire.
HR Isn’t About Compliance—It’s About Culture
Brenda has worked in human resources for years, and she’s quick to correct a common misconception: HR isn’t just paperwork and policy—it’s culture management.
“If you don’t prioritize people, nothing else matters,” she said. “You can’t scale chaos. You can’t retain talent in dysfunction.”
She encourages leaders to treat HR not as a cost center, but as a strategic partner in building strong teams. That means:
- Hiring slow, firing fast
- Investing in employee development
- Building processes that reinforce values
Takeaway: Culture eats strategy for breakfast. If you want to grow, start by getting your people aligned, supported, and equipped.
Vulnerability Is a Superpower
William’s concept of the “get naked mindset” goes deeper than just showing up. It’s about radical honesty, both with yourself and your team.
“Leaders think they have to have it all figured out,” he said. “But the best leaders are the ones who say, ‘I don’t know, but I’ll figure it out—and I won’t quit.’”
This mindset shift isn’t just empowering—it’s magnetic. It builds trust, breaks down walls, and fosters a culture of continuous growth.
Brenda echoed this sentiment in her work with leaders: “The moment you stop pretending to be perfect is the moment people start following you.”
Insight: That was a mic-drop moment. Authenticity isn’t weakness—it’s the most powerful leadership trait there is.
From Special Forces to Special Focus
William talked about his transition from elite military service to civilian life—and how CBD, breathwork, and emotional processing helped him regain focus, clarity, and peace.
He now runs Naked Warrior Recovery, helping veterans and high performers use holistic recovery tools to manage stress and trauma.
His message? You don’t have to be in combat to carry emotional wounds—and you don’t have to ignore them to be successful.
“If your nervous system is jacked up, your decisions will be too,” he said. “Regulate your body, and your leadership improves.”
Takeaway: Peak performance starts with nervous system regulation. Breathwork, recovery, and rest are tools, not luxuries.
Tactical Advice for Leaders Right Now
I asked both Brenda and William what advice they’d give to someone in a leadership role—whether it’s a founder, a manager, or a parent. Their answers were pure gold.
Brenda’s Advice:
- Set expectations clearly – “Don’t assume people know what success looks like. Show them.”
- Have uncomfortable conversations early – “Don’t wait until you’re resentful.”
- Be consistent – “The worst kind of leader is unpredictable. Be the same person Monday to Friday.”
William’s Advice:
- Own everything – “Don’t blame, don’t point. Lead.”
- Build habits that create structure – “Morning routines, breathwork, fitness—it all compounds.”
- Get real – “Drop the mask. That’s where the power is.”
Insight: These aren’t just principles—they’re practices. You don’t need a 5-year plan. You need 5 non-negotiables that you repeat every day.
Closing Thoughts: Lessons from Brenda Neckvatal & William Branum
This conversation was a perfect fusion of strategic leadership and human-first development. Brenda brings wisdom and structure. William brings grit and vulnerability. Together, they model what it looks like to lead with purpose, integrity, and heart.
If there’s one thing I took away from our talk, it’s this: Leadership isn’t about being the smartest in the room—it’s about being the most committed to growth.
Whether you’re leading a team or just trying to lead yourself better—this episode is a guide, a challenge, and a reminder to show up fully.
To learn more:
- Visit BrendaNeckvatal.com for resources on HR strategy and culture-building.
- Visit NakedWarriorRecovery.com for recovery tools, supplements, and William’s powerful message of veteran support and high-performance recovery.
Until next time, remember: strip away what doesn’t serve you—and lead with what does.
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