Summary

In this episode of CultureKeeper, Jessica Hardemon emphasizes the importance of presence in leadership, especially during the holiday season. She argues that the best gift leaders can give their teams is their presence, which fosters connection and trust. Jessica shares practical examples of how leaders can show up for their Sailors, highlighting that small acts of presence can have a significant impact on morale and culture. She concludes by encouraging leaders to prioritize presence over perfection and to actively engage with their teams.

Keywords

leadership, presence, culture, connection, Navy, team, holidays, validation, trust

Takeaways

• The best gift you can give your team is your presence.
• Presence is more impactful than performance or perfection.
• Leadership during the holidays is about small moments of connection.
• Many sailors may appear fine but are struggling internally.
• Presence can change the tone of a duty day.
• Validation is crucial for morale and connection.
• Presence builds trust within teams.
• Leaders should show up unexpectedly to foster connection.
• Culture is built through consistent acts of presence.
• Thanking team members reinforces their value and belonging.

Title

The Power of Presence in Leadership

Creating Connection Through Leadership

Sound bites

"The best gift you can give your team is you."

"Presence is the most underrated leadership tool."

"Culture doesn't change with speeches."

Chapters

00:00 The Gift of Presence

04:11 Leadership Beyond Words

Keywords

Navy culture, leadership, accountability, communication, culture reset, division standards, sailor engagement, cultural clarity, leadership behaviors, culture change

Summary

In this episode of Culture Keeper, Jessica Hardemon discusses the importance of understanding and shaping culture within the Navy. She emphasizes that culture is not broken at the command level but at the division level, and that leaders play a crucial role in influencing the culture through their actions and behaviors. The conversation covers key behaviors that can lead to cultural change, the steps for implementing a culture reset plan, and the challenges leaders face in making these changes. Hardemon encourages leaders to take immediate action to correct behaviors that undermine culture and to foster an environment of accountability and clear communication.

Takeaways

Culture breaks at the division level, not the command level.

Leaders must enforce standards to prevent cultural drift.

Accountability should be immediate and calm, not delayed.

Clear communication eliminates excuses and fosters execution.

Presence and visibility of leaders build trust and culture.

Recognition and correction must coexist for effective culture building.

Culture shifts when leaders take actionable steps.

Define non-negotiables to enforce cultural standards.

Regular audits help identify cultural inconsistencies.

Culture is a cycle of audit, enforce, reinforce, repeat.

Titles

Shaping Navy Culture: A Leadership Perspective

The Division's Role in Navy Culture

Sound bites

"Culture breaks at the division level."

"You don't fix the culture with the policy."

"Your sailors stop gambling with standards."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Culture in the Navy

05:38 Five Key Behaviors for Cultural Change

10:41 Implementing a Culture Reset Plan

15:14 The Challenge of Leadership and Culture

Summary

In this episode of CultureKeeper, Jessica Hardemon explores the concept of leadership as a series of seasons, each presenting unique challenges and lessons. She discusses the seasons of endurance, ego, and letting go, sharing personal experiences that highlight the importance of recognizing one's limits, the dangers of ego, and the necessity of self-care. The episode encourages listeners to reflect on their own leadership journeys and the seasons they are currently navigating.

 👉DOWNLOAD: THE LEADERSHIP SEASONS REFLECTION WORKSHEET

Takeaways

• Leadership isn't one long grind; it's a series of seasons.
• Endurance seasons test your limits and reveal your true strength.
• Ego can manifest as a fear of inconsistency and responsibility.
• Letting go is essential for personal and professional growth.
• Your limits are not shameful; they provide valuable information.
• Sailors will always need leaders, but they won't always need you.
• Delegation is crucial for maintaining mission integrity.
• Letting go restores your humanity and enhances your leadership.
• Transformation occurs through recognition, not just information.
• Leadership is seasonal, and each season shapes your growth.

Titles

Navigating Leadership Seasons: A Personal Journey

The Hidden Challenges of Leadership

Sound bites

"Ego isn't always arrogance."

"Endurance revealed my limits."

"Leadership is seasonal."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Leadership Seasons

01:35 The Season of Endurance

04:23 The Season of Ego

05:42 The Season of Letting Go

11:21 Lessons Learned from Leadership Seasons

16:35 Reflecting on Your Leadership Season

Keywords

leadership, endurance, ego, letting go, personal growth, self-awareness, leadership lessons, military leadership, mental health, resilience

You can have a roadmap and still end up lost. Here’s why.

Most junior Sailors think the Navy will track their career for them — their quals, their schools, their opportunities. But the truth is simple:

LaDR shows the lane. You still have to drive the vehicle.

In this episode, Jessica breaks down the mindset shift that changed her entire career after missing a critical opportunity early on — and the four tools every Sailor needs to take ownership now, not “someday.”

You’ll learn:

• Why waiting for “Big Navy” keeps you stuck
• The real purpose of LaDR (and what it doesn’t do)
• How to stop hoping for opportunity and start creating it
• The four tools that build a career:
  Clear goals, qualifications, mentors, and self-assessment
• What weekly habits separate the average from the undeniable
• How to write goals that actually move your future forward
• Why one qualification can change your reputation overnight
• The mindset that turns potential into performance

This isn’t theory. This is the playbook.

⚓ Mentioned in This Episode

FREE RESOURCE: Junior Sailor Leadership Starter Kit
— Your first four tools to build a credible, confident career
👉 JUNIOR SAILOR LEADERSHIP STARTER KIT

🧭 CultureKeeper Challenge

Identify one step you’ve been waiting for someone else to hand you — and take it yourself this week.

🫡 If no one has told you today:

Thank you for all that you’ve done,
All that you do,
And all that you will do.

In this episode of Culture Keeper, Jessica Hardemon discusses the critical issue of sailor burnout and the systemic failures in leadership that contribute to it. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing the signs of burnout, understanding the pressures faced by top performers, and implementing effective leadership strategies to support sailors. The conversation highlights the need for proactive care, realistic gratitude, and the importance of mentorship in retaining valuable personnel. Jessica provides practical tools and strategies for leaders to create a supportive environment that fosters retention and well-being among sailors.

DOWNLOAD Episode 009 Reflection: The Load Balance Worksheet

Takeaways

• Good sailors leave leaders who stop showing up for them.
• Burnout often results from over-dependence on top performers.
• Silence from top performers can indicate strain, not strength.
• Recognition must be timely to be effective.
• Leadership should focus on load distribution, not just decoration.
• Some sailors leave for personal growth, not due to leadership failure.
• Presence in leadership means noticing fatigue and stress.
• Teaching sailors to mentor others can lighten their load.
• Protecting downtime is essential for maintaining performance.
• Leadership is about stewardship and caring for your team.

Titles

• Understanding Burnout in Leadership
• The Consequences of Neglecting Sailor Well-being
• Navigating Leadership Challenges in the Navy
• Understanding and Preventing Sailor Burnout

Sound bites

"They waited for the back end reward."

"We worked them out of the Navy."

"But the truth, we didn't lose them."

"Presence is care and practice."

"Leadership is stewardship."

Chapters

00:00 The Burden of Dependability

03:04 Understanding Burnout in Leadership

06:25 The Bigger Picture of Attrition

08:47 Covenant Leadership and Stewardship

10:22 Practical Steps for Retention

14:12 Shaping a Supportive Culture

16:08 CK Outro (Edit1).mp4

Keywords

burnout, leadership, employee well-being, Navy, workplace culture, retention, motivation, support, evaluation, separation

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Command Master Chief Jay'e Bell shares his insights on authentic leadership within the Navy. He emphasizes the importance of being genuine, the value of honesty, and how to effectively engage sailors. The discussion also touches on the significance of command culture and maintaining excellence despite challenges. Bell's personal anecdotes and experiences provide a relatable context for his leadership philosophy, making it clear that authenticity is crucial for building trust and respect among sailors.

DOWNLOAD The 3 Questions Every Junior Leader Should Ask

Takeaways

• Sailors can sense fake leadership immediately.
• Authenticity in leadership fosters trust and respect.
• Complaints from sailors indicate they believe you care.
• Daily habits can significantly impact sailor engagement.
• A strong command culture treats everyone like family.
• Honesty is essential in leadership; own your mistakes.
• You must balance authority with approachability.
• Understanding the 'why' behind tasks motivates sailors.
• Leadership is about continuous improvement and self-awareness.
• Excellence is a personal choice, regardless of external recognition.

Titles

• Authenticity in Leadership: The Key to Trust
• Navigating the Early Years in the Navy
• Building Trust with Sailors

Sound Bites

• "You gotta meet me 51% of the way."
• "You need to earn those by motivating."
• "You have to show them that you care."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Authentic Leadership

02:38 Jay Bell's Journey in the Navy

09:15 The Importance of Authenticity

12:55 Navigating Complaints and Trust

14:32 Defining Authenticity in Leadership

17:22 Navigating Leadership Authenticity

19:51 The Importance of Honesty in Leadership

22:58 Understanding the Role of Experience

25:48 Daily Habits for Authentic Leadership

28:11 Leadership Fuel: Quick Hits for Improvement

31:02 Defining Culture and Its Impact

33:36 The Truth About Excellence in Leadership

36:58 CK Outro (Edit1).mp4

Summary

In this episode of CultureKeeper, Jessica Hardemon shares personal experiences that highlight the importance of humility and mentorship in leadership. She reflects on her past mistakes and the assumptions she made about sailors, emphasizing the need for understanding and support rather than judgment. Through her stories, she illustrates how addressing underlying issues can lead to positive transformations in individuals and team culture.

Takeaways

• Even leaders make mistakes and must own them.
• Humility is essential for fostering a positive culture.
• Assumptions about others can lead to misunderstandings.
• Mentorship can transform relationships and improve morale.
• Understanding someone's background is crucial for effective leadership.
• Judgment can hinder personal growth and team dynamics.
• Creating a supportive environment enhances self-respect.
• Mistakes are opportunities for learning and growth.
• Effective communication is key to resolving conflicts.
• Leadership requires continuous self-reflection and improvement.

Titles

The Power of Humility in Leadership

Transforming Assumptions into Understanding

Sound Bites

"Even chiefs get it wrong."

"Humility saves culture."

"I have made the mistakes."

Chapters

00:00 Leadership and Humility: A Personal Confession

02:57 Understanding the Impact of Assumptions

05:38 Mentorship Over Judgment: A Transformative Approach

08:09 Learning from Mistakes: The Journey Continues

Keywords

leadership, humility, mentorship, assumptions, culture, sailors, personal growth, judgment, transformation, self-respect

Summary

In this episode of CultureKeeper, Command Master Chief Jessica Hardemon discusses the challenges of dealing with bad leadership in the military. She emphasizes the importance of not suffering in silence and encourages sailors to utilize available resources for support. Hardemon shares personal experiences and offers actionable strategies for personal growth and leadership development, urging listeners to take control of their responses to toxic leadership and to model the leaders they wish to have.

Keywords

leadership, toxic leaders, mentorship, sailor support, personal growth, military culture

Takeaways

• Bad leadership tests your character.
• You don't have to suffer in silence.
• There are resources available to help you.
• Reaching out is not a weakness.
• You can't control who leads you, but you can control how you respond.
• Own your lane and maintain your credibility.
• Seek mentorship outside your chain of command.
• Model the leader you wish you had.
• Learn from bad leaders to avoid repeating their mistakes.
• Protect your mental, emotional, and professional health.

Titles

• Navigating Toxic Leadership in the Military
• Empowering Sailors Against Bad Leadership
• Sound Bites
• "Reaching out is not a weakness."
• "Own your lane."
• "Silence kills culture."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Bad Leadership

02:03 Resources to combat Bad Leadership

06:02 How to Respond to Bad Leadership

09:42 The Shift You've Got to Make

11:10 Don't Suffer in Silence

Summary

In this episode of CultureKeeper, Jessica Hardemon discusses the critical aspects of the Navy assignment process, emphasizing the importance of clarity, initiative, and ownership in career advancement. She provides actionable strategies for sailors to enhance their applications, maximize their resumes, and take charge of their career paths. The conversation highlights the significance of detailed comments and proactive communication in the selection process, ultimately encouraging sailors to present themselves as undeniable candidates for their desired positions.

Takeaways

Assignments are not random; they are based on merit.

Your resume should reflect your capabilities clearly.

Detailing is not about favoritism; it's about clarity.

Comments in your application are crucial for visibility.

Take initiative in researching commands and schools.

Your performance record should be up-to-date and accurate.

Generic comments can undermine your application.

Be specific in your career goals and preferences.

Emailing leadership shows your commitment and initiative.

Regularly check and update your training records.

👉DOWNLOAD: The Assignment Ready Checklist

Sound bites

"Clarity beats mystery every time."

"Emailing shows initiative and drive."

"Fix your MNA comments today."

Chapters

00:00 Understanding the Assignment Process

02:31 Navigating Preferences and Applications

05:11 Maximizing Your Resume and Comments

08:03 Avoiding Common Pitfalls

10:44 Strategies for Success

13:35 Taking Initiative and Ownership

16:24 Final Thoughts and Challenges

17:51 Outro

Keywords

Navy assignments, sailor career, application process, resume tips, career ownership, initiative, clarity, performance evaluation, mentorship, leadership

Keywords

Navy, leadership, junior sailors, clarity, consistency, credibility, trust, E4, Command Master Chief, mentorship

Summary

In this episode of Culture Cooper, Jessica Hardemon addresses the unique challenges faced by E4 sailors in the Navy. She emphasizes the importance of clarity, consistency, and credibility in leadership, sharing personal anecdotes and practical advice to help junior sailors navigate their roles effectively. The episode serves as a guide for building trust and influence within the Navy, encouraging listeners to take actionable steps towards improving their leadership skills.

👉DOWNLOAD: The 3 Questions Every Junior Leader Should Ask

Takeaways

E4s often feel stuck between ranks, lacking influence.

Clarity is crucial to avoid assumptions that can lead to mistakes.

Asking the right questions can enhance credibility.

Consistency in performance builds trust among sailors.

Gossip can damage credibility and leadership integrity.

Credibility is fragile and can be lost quickly.

Leaders must own their mistakes to maintain trust.

Showing up consistently is key to effective leadership.

Pick one area to improve: clarity, consistency, or credibility.

Engage with peers for accountability in leadership growth.

Titles

Navigating the E4 Experience in the Navy

The Power of Clarity in Leadership

Sound bites

"Credibility is so fragile."

"Gossip, it isn't harmless."

"This is how we grow."

Chapters

00:00 Navigating the E4 Experience

02:52 The Importance of Clarity

05:40 Consistency: The Key to Leadership

08:28 Building Credibility in Leadership

11:02 The Trifecta of Trust: Clarity, Consistency, Credibility

This is the beginning. Command Master Chief Jessica Hardemon shares why she built CultureKeepers: to bridge the silence between junior and senior Sailors. You’ll hear her backstory, the moments that shaped her, and what this movement promises every week—real talk, sea stories, and leadership tools you can use today.

Every leader has a moment they’d rather forget. Jess opens up about the mistake that nearly wrecked her credibility early in her career—and how it reshaped the leader she became. Vulnerable, raw, and brutally honest, this episode shows why failure doesn’t define you—your recovery does.

What do the Leaders really notice? Why don’t Chiefs always say what they see? Jess pulls back the curtain on how senior leaders evaluate Sailors, why some truths go unspoken, and what you can do right now to earn investment from the Mess. No politics. No sugarcoating. Just the truth you’ve been waiting to hear.

Welcome to the CultureKeeper™ Podcast — where leadership gets real.

I’m Command Master Chief Jessica Hardemon. I rose from E-1 to CMC, and I built this podcast for the Sailor who feels invisible, the leader who refuses to coast, and the Mess that needs honest conversation.

Here’s what you can expect:
⚓ Real sea stories with lessons that stick
⚓ Zero-fluff leadership tools you can use tomorrow
⚓ Candid conversations that bridge the gap between senior and junior Sailors

Because leadership doesn’t start with a collar device — it starts with you.

The CultureKeeper™ Podcast launches October 1st with four episodes dropping Day One. Subscribe now, share it with a shipmate, and step into the mess behind the mic.

Keep the culture… Lead on.