Episode 35 with Dr. Gene Coughlin
Leading Teams That Bounce Back Stronger
Tales of Leadership | Dr. Gene Coughlin | Episode 35
In this episode of Tales of Leadership, Joshua McMillion sits down with Dr. Gene Coughlin, a former Marine Corps infantry weapons officer and the founder of the Resilience-Building Leader Program (RBLP). With over 20 years of military service and a doctorate in organizational leadership, Dr. Coughlin brings a powerful perspective on what it truly means to build and lead resilient teams.
Dr. Coughlin’s leadership journey began in the Marine Corps, where he experienced firsthand the power of teams operating under pressure. Through combat deployments and high-stakes environments, he saw a recurring truth: adversity is not something to avoid—it is something to leverage. Resilient teams don’t just survive adversity—they grow stronger because of it.
A central theme in this conversation is the idea that resilience is not just an individual trait, but a collective one. Teams, like individuals, can learn, adapt, and improve through shared hardship. Whether in the military, sports, or business, the strongest teams are those that embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. This mindset shift—from avoiding difficulty to pursuing it—is what separates average teams from exceptional ones.
Dr. Coughlin introduces a key leadership behavior: being present when the going gets tough. Leaders must move toward friction, not away from it. This doesn’t mean micromanaging—it means showing up, providing support, and helping the team navigate pressure. Leaders earn trust not by avoiding problems, but by standing with their team in the hardest moments.
Another powerful takeaway is the importance of learning organizations. Dr. Coughlin highlights that resilient teams continuously improve by reflecting on their experiences. This mirrors the military’s after-action review (AAR) process—capturing lessons learned, sharing failures, and refining future actions. Leaders must foster environments where feedback is encouraged and learning is constant.
As the conversation shifts to the civilian sector, Dr. Coughlin emphasizes the challenges of transitioning leadership styles. Military leaders often bring strong experience, but must adapt their communication, emotional intelligence, and approach to fit new environments. Effective leadership is not fixed—it evolves based on the people, mission, and environment.
Through his work with RBLP, Dr. Coughlin has identified that leadership fundamentals are universal. Regardless of industry, leaders must build trust, enforce accountability, communicate effectively, and promote shared vision. These “soft skills” are not optional—they are the foundation of high-performing teams.
Ultimately, Dr. Coughlin’s message is clear: leadership is about people. It is about building teams that can withstand pressure, learn from failure, and continue moving forward together.
Final Thoughts
Resilience is not built in comfort—it is forged in adversity. Leaders who embrace challenges, invest in their people, and commit to continuous learning will create teams capable of achieving extraordinary results. The ability to adapt, grow, and lead through difficult moments is what defines a purposeful, accountable leader. Great leaders don’t avoid friction—they move toward it to strengthen their team.
After Action Review (AAR)
How do you currently respond to adversity—do you avoid it, or use it as an opportunity to grow?
Are you actively creating a learning environment where your team can reflect and improve after failure?
When your team faces pressure, are you stepping into the point of friction or staying on the sidelines?
Tales of Leadership Mission: To develop Purposeful Accountable Leaders (PAL)
by arming you with the tools required to lead with purpose, integrity, and accountability.
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