Guest: Brian ”Lex” Luther

What if I told you the most successful CEOs I've interviewed this quarter share one counterintuitive trait? They don't try to be the smartest person in the room. From architecture to military leadership to digital transformation, the pattern is unmistakable. 
Looking back at this quarter's most listened-to episodes—featuring Jonathan Moody (Moody Nolan), Rear Admiral Brian Luther (Navy Mutual), Ryan Frederick (Transform Labs), Harold Green (Global Emissionary), Eddie Solomon (Net at Work), Joe Yaccarino (MTF Biologics), Jeff Ostenso (Ironmark), and James Hyman (serial turnaround CEO)—I discovered something remarkable.
The golden thread connecting every transformative leader: They refuse to be the smartest person in the room.
From Jonathan's "create more footprints, not bigger shoes" philosophy to Brian's "reflected light leadership," from Ryan's embrace of "continuous not knowing" to Eddie's insight that "entrepreneurship belongs in psychology," these leaders share seven powerful traits:
→ Anti-ego leadership - Building teams instead of thrones→ Vulnerability as strength - Admitting what they don't know→ Empowerment over control - Creating conditions for others to succeed→ Psychological wisdom - Understanding leadership is about mindset→ Radical transparency - Building trust through openness→ Purpose-driven growth - Companies that matter, not just profit→ The learning advantage - Staying curious regardless of expertise
Whether it's Harold at 69 still having daily learning conversations, Joe asking "is that even legal?" and building from curiosity, Jeff realizing his company "feeds 500 people," or James discovering that Hollywood leadership doesn't work—the pattern is clear.
The most successful leaders amplify their impact by avoiding being the bottleneck.
Join me as we unpack the strategies that turn good companies into thriving communities where everyone succeeds together.
Some of the episodes in this list:
EP105: Reflected Light: Leading Through Your People
EP103: The Power of Humble Listening in Leadership
EP96: Making Carbon Reduction Measurable and Meaningful
EP87: Why This Successful Family Business Said No to Nepotism
EP83: Heroes at Every Level of Healthcare Innovation
EP81: How Teaching the Game of Business Built an Empire
EP63: A CEO’s Competitve Edge - Mastering the Art of Corporate Turnarounds
 
 
 

In this week's commentary, Deborah Fell explores the wisdom from her conversation with Rear Admiral Brian "Lex" Luther on leading through change. "The balance of leadership is hard," Deborah notes, "with internal issues, external forces, and human complexity creating cloudy challenges." Yet Lex's transformation of Navy Mutual reveals a fundamental truth: you can't lead if no one follows.
He prioritized his people rather than issuing directives and wondering why progress stalls. His approach of turning long-tenured employees into owners of change while managing "soft saboteurs" demonstrates that transformation starts with engagement, not mandates.
As Luther powerfully stated, "Leaders shine brightest with reflected light." Like Bill Marriott's philosophy that caring for employees leads to satisfied customers and ultimately profit, Lex's military precision and transparent communication created a framework where change could thrive.
 
Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.), President and Chief Executive Officer | LinkedIn
Brian Luther assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy Mutual in October of 2020. Prior to his position as CEO, Luther served for two years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Navy Mutual, assisting the CEO with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. He considers it a privilege to lead an organization whose primary mission is to serve military service members and their families, and will continue to serve Navy Mutual Members and potential Members with honor and integrity.
Before joining the Navy Mutual Team, Luther served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. At sea, his tours included operational squadrons Sea Control Squadrons (VS) 22 and 24, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, and as the commanding officer of VS-24. After completing the Navy Nuclear Power Training program, he served as the Executive Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Commanding Officer on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group.
Luther also served multiple tours in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, Navy Staff, and Navy Secretariat as an Action Officer, Financial Analyst, Congressional Liaison, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) and, before joining the Navy Mutual team, the Budget Officer for the Department of the Navy.
 
About Navy Mutual
Navy Mutual is a nonprofit, member-owned mutual association established in 1879 to provide affordable life insurance and peace of mind to members of the military and their families. As the nation’s oldest federally recognized Veterans Service Organization, its mission and commitment to protect those who defend us remain unwavering. Financially strong, Navy Mutual is proud to be a first-choice life insurance provider to servicemembers and their loved ones. Through quality life insurance products, no-cost educational and veterans services programs, and unparalleled service, Navy Mutual has earned the loyalty and support of its membership. For more information, visit navymutual.org.   

Deborah Fell sits down with Brian "Lex" Luther, whose distinguished naval career equipped him with the unique perspective that revolutionized Navy Mutual.
"The principles that guide a naval officer—discipline, strategic thinking, and unwavering commitment to mission—translate remarkably well to corporate leadership," shares Luther. "At Navy Mutual, we didn't just implement changes; we navigated a complete organizational transformation by applying the same decisive leadership principles that govern operations at sea."
Discover how military precision and operational excellence can reshape corporate culture and drive exceptional results in this must-listen conversation for forward-thinking executives.
 
Brian E. Luther, USN (Ret.)President and Chief Executive OfficerLinkedIn
Brian Luther assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Navy Mutual in October of 2020. Prior to his position as CEO, Luther served for two years as the Chief Strategy Officer of Navy Mutual, assisting the CEO with developing, communicating, executing, and sustaining corporate strategic initiatives. He considers it a privilege to lead an organization whose primary mission is to serve military service members and their families, and will continue to serve Navy Mutual Members and potential Members with honor and integrity.
Before joining the Navy Mutual Team, Luther served as a naval aviator in the U.S. Navy. At sea, his tours included operational squadrons Sea Control Squadrons (VS) 22 and 24, Carrier Air Wing SEVEN, and as the commanding officer of VS-24. After completing the Navy Nuclear Power Training program, he served as the Executive Officer on the USS Nimitz (CVN 68), Commanding Officer on the USS Tarawa (LHA-1) and the USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), and Commander of Carrier Strike Group 2/George H.W. Bush Strike Group.
Luther also served multiple tours in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff, Navy Staff, and Navy Secretariat as an Action Officer, Financial Analyst, Congressional Liaison, Director of Operations and Plans (N31) and, before joining the Navy Mutual team, the Budget Officer for the Department of the Navy.
 
About Navy Mutual
Navy Mutual is a nonprofit, member-owned mutual association established in 1879 to provide affordable life insurance and peace of mind to members of the military and their families. As the nation’s oldest federally recognized Veterans Service Organization, its mission and commitment to protect those who defend us remain unwavering. Financially strong, Navy Mutual is proud to be a first-choice life insurance provider to servicemembers and their loved ones. Through quality life insurance products, no-cost educational and veterans services programs, and unparalleled service, Navy Mutual has earned the loyalty and support of its membership. For more information, visit navymutual.org.