Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp on Building Resilience As a Leader
Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp has led teams across the world—from Navy ships to global leadership panels. But his story started with rejection and bias. In this episode, he shares how early adversity shaped his leadership, and why resilience isn’t just a trait—it’s a system.
Key Takeaways
Resilience is built through structure: trust, inclusion, collaboration, adaptability, and growth.
Modesty and humility are different—but both matter in leadership.
Leadership means consistency, clear policy, and face-to-face communication.
Notable Quotes
"Three pillars of leadership I like to encourage people to live by... what I call the ABCs of leadership: Attitude, Belief, and Character."
"People are smart. When they understand their value... they perform at a different level."
"My teacher asked me what are you going to be when you grow up... I said I'm going to be the president... in a very eerie way she leaned to me in a way that no one else could hear and said you aren't gonna be anything."
Real-World Applications
Adjust Policy Based on Feedback
Example: He’d start with strict policies, then gather team input and revise them to strike the right balance.Create Open Forums
Example: Kemp ran monthly “conversation days” where leaders and sailors sat in circles to talk—no rank, no titles.Lead Through Behavior Modeling
Example: As a junior leader, he corrected behaviors directly and modeled respect to help shift culture onboard.
Raymond Kemp’s leadership is clear and grounded. Resilience isn’t about never failing—it’s about how you listen, adapt, and lift others as you lead. From policy shifts to personal development, his example shows how purpose and consistency build true strength.
00:45 Introducing Fleet Master Chief Raymond Kemp
01:41 Raymond Kemp's Early Years and Aspirations
04:58 Climbing the Ranks: From Junior to Fleet Master Chief
06:52 Women in Combat: Navigating New Waters
10:35 Don't Ask, Don't Tell: Leading Through Change
24:37 Building Resilience and Adaptability for Success
29:44 Empowering Leaders in a Hybrid World
31:23 Kemp Solutions: Leadership Training and Keynotes
33:46 Raymond’s Leadership Mantra
Links Mentioned:
Connect with Raymond Kemp on LinkedIn: / rdkemp
Raymond Kemp Website (Kemp Solutions): https://www.kemp-solutions.com/
Raymond’s Book: Building Resilience for Hybrid Success: Anchored in Adaptability: https://www.amazon.com/Building-Resil...
About The Author
Emily Sander is an ICF-certified leadership coach with more than 15 years of experience in the business world and the author of Hacking Executive Leadership. She’s been featured in several print publications, online articles, and podcasts, including CEO Today Magazine, Leading to Fulfillment, and Leadership Powered by Common Sense.
Emily has a passion for helping business leaders reach their full potential. Go here to read her story from seasoned executive to knowledgeable coach. If you want to send Emily a quick message, then visit her contact page here.