If you want to lead with humility, confidence, and real influence in a distracted world, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Sean Patton sits down with Scott Millson — former U.S. Navy Petty Officer, executive leader, and author of Frequency of Excellence — to explore why leadership breaks down when attention fades, how ego quietly erodes trust, and why the smallest behaviors reveal the real standard you’re setting as a leader.

From folding underwear in Navy boot camp to leading high-performing organizations, Scott shares timeless lessons on presence, growth mindset, humility, and human-centered leadership — and how leaders can build cultures that consistently perform at a higher frequency.

⏱ Episode Timestamps

00:00 – Why excellence isn’t about doing more — it’s about paying attention
00:42 – Scott Millson’s leadership journey: Navy, executive life, and beyond
02:09 – Joining the Navy and early lessons in discipline and perseverance
04:01 – “How you do anything is how you do everything”
06:17 – The power of presence and curiosity as a leader
08:15 – Growth mindset in a distracted, fast-moving world
10:58 – Reflection, pausing, and encoding lessons for long-term growth
12:28 – Capturing insights: journaling, notes, and learning systems
14:30 – Being intentional about who you surround yourself with
16:55 – Failure, humility, and learning the hard way
21:02 – Growth mindset vs ego at senior leadership levels
23:07 – Leadership lessons from the USS Benfold turnaround
26:11 – Trust, respect, and why leaders must give it first
30:03 – Why culture is the shadow of leadership
33:54 – The organization’s role in leader development
35:59 – Management vs leadership: tasks vs people
38:55 – Calm, optimism, and leadership as a force multiplier
42:00 – Where to find Scott and learn more

Scott Millson is a former U.S. Navy Petty Officer, seasoned executive, keynote speaker, and author of Frequency of Excellence: Tuning Into the Everyday Excellence of Life and Leadership. After decades in leadership roles across industries, Scott now dedicates his work to helping leaders grow with humility, confidence, and intentionality — focusing on presence, relationships, and continuous learning.

📘 Featured Book

Frequency of Excellence: Tuning Into the Everyday Excellence of Life and Leadership
🔗 https://scottmillson.com

🔗 Connect with Scott Millson

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-millson/
  
  

Interested in exploring a thrilling vision for your life with me or another Novus Global Coach? Go to www.nolimitleaders.com/vision to apply.

No Limit Leadership is the go-to podcast for growth-minded executives, middle managers, and team leaders who want more than surface-level leadership advice. Hosted by executive coach and former Special Forces commander Sean Patton, this show dives deep into modern leadership, self-leadership, and the real-world strategies that build high-performing teams. Whether you're focused on leadership development, building a coaching culture, improving leadership communication, or strengthening team accountability, each episode equips you with actionable insights to unlock leadership potential across your organization. From designing onboarding systems that retain talent to asking better questions that drive clarity and impact, No Limit Leadership helps you lead yourself first so you can lead others better. If you're ready to create a culture of ownership, resilience, and results, this leadership podcast is for you.