The USS Oak Hill Leadership Secret: What Caring for 800 Souls Taught Me About Thriving Under Pressure
ug boats assist the dock landing ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) as she arrives for a routine port visit to Greece's largest island. U.S. Navy photo by Mr. Paul Farley (RELEASED)
Pressure-Tested Strategies for Leading When the Stakes Are Highest
Picture this: You're responsible for the spiritual care of 800 lives aboard a floating steel city, thousands of miles from home, conducting dangerous operations where a single mistake could be catastrophic. The Mediterranean stretches endlessly in every direction. There's no calling in sick, no stepping away for a mental health day, and no backup plan if you crack under pressure.
This was my reality as a Navy Chaplain aboard the USS Oak Hill. What I discovered in that crucible of spiritual leadership wasn't just how to survive extreme pressure—it was how to thrive under it. The secret wasn't having better circumstances than other leaders—it was having better rhythms.
After 22 years of military service (fifteen as a Navy Chaplain) and countless high-stakes situations, I've learned that leaders who flourish under pressure share one critical trait: they understand that sustainable leadership isn't about grinding harder but establishing intentional life rhythms that create overflow rather than depletion.
The Leadership Laboratory of Military Deployment
Military deployment creates the ultimate leadership laboratory. Strip away all the comfortable routines, familiar support systems, and predictable environments that civilian leaders rely on. Add life-or-death decision making, 24/7 responsibility, and the weight of hundreds of lives depending on your judgment. What remains reveals the true foundation of effective leadership under pressure.
During our deployment, I witnessed spectacular leadership failures and remarkable examples of crisis leadership that maintained safety throughout. The difference wasn't intelligence, experience, or even training—though all those mattered. The difference was rhythm.
Research confirms what I observed firsthand: leaders who maintain consistent personal practices during high-stress periods demonstrate better decision-making capabilities and lower burnout rates than those who abandon self-care routines under pressure. Consider three articles here, here, and here. The military has long understood this principle, so successful units maintain disciplined schedules for rest, nutrition, and mental processing even in combat zones.
The USS Oak Hill became my classroom for understanding how four specific rhythms—relational, spiritual, emotional, and physical—function as an integrated system under extreme stress. When leaders neglect any one of these areas, the entire system begins to break down, often at the worst possible moment.
How “Slow Is Smooth, Smooth Is Fast” Applies to Leadership Development
Our ship's commander had a mantra he repeated constantly: “Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.” At first, this seemed counterintuitive. When you're under pressure, every instinct screams to move faster, cut corners, and push through obstacles with brute force.
But I watched this principle save lives during one of the Navy's most dangerous operations: replenishment at sea. Picture two massive ships—one loaded with fuel, supplies, and mail—proceeding side by side at matching speeds while crew members string high-tension wires and fuel lines between the vessels. Helicopters transfer cargo overhead while both ships maintain precise navigation in potentially rough seas.
The temptation is always to rush, speed up the process, skip safety checks, and push through fatigue. But rushing and fatigue can kill. The commander who embraces “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” creates space for deliberate action, thorough communication, and systematic execution, achieving better results in less time.
This principle revolutionizes how we approach spiritual leadership and stress management. Leaders who try to sprint through crises without maintaining their foundational rhythms inevitably crash. Those who maintain deliberate, consistent practices—even when it feels slow—develop smooth execution that enables them to respond quickly and effectively when the stakes are highest.
I witnessed this principle's opposite during a port visit in Rota, Spain. A tugboat crew, eager to save time, failed to follow proper procedures and fouled our propeller shaft with a rope. What should have been a several-hour fuel stop became a several-day repair operation. Their speed attempt created the very delay they were trying to avoid.
The same dynamic plays out in leadership development. Leaders who skip the “slow” work of building sustainable rhythms deal with much more time-consuming crises later. Prevention costs a fraction of what cleanup does.
The Four Rhythms Discovered Under Extreme Conditions
The deployment revealed four non-negotiable rhythms that determine whether leaders survive or thrive under pressure. These aren't theoretical concepts—battle-tested realities that proved themselves in the crucible of military leadership. In the last post, I encouraged you to Stop Leading on Empty and briefly described these four rhythms: Relational Rhythms became critical when normal support networks disappeared. Leaders who maintained strong relational rhythms with their teams and families demonstrated remarkable resilience throughout the deployment.
Spiritual Rhythms provided the stabilizing force when existential questions surfaced. Leaders who had established consistent spiritual practices—whether prayer, worship, meditation, or study—possessed an anchor that held steady when everything else felt chaotic.
Emotional Rhythms enabled effective decision-making under pressure. Leaders who understand and process their emotions regularly can respond with calm presence rather than reactive anxiety during crises.
Physical Rhythms sustain energy and mental clarity throughout extended high-stress periods. Those who maintained physical rhythms demonstrated greater resilience and clearer thinking, while those who neglected their bodies saw their effectiveness diminish as deployment wore on.
These four rhythms don't operate independently—they function as an integrated system. Throughout the deployment, I drew on all four simultaneously: relational connections provided support, spiritual practices gave meaning, emotional regulation maintained presence, and physical health supplied energy.
Why Leaders Who Thrive Have Better Rhythms, Not Easier Circumstances
The most profound insight from my deployment experience was this: thriving leaders don't have better circumstances—they have better rhythms. Every leader on that ship faced the same challenging conditions, the same separation from family, the same operational pressures, and the same life-or-death responsibilities.
Yet some leaders flourished while others barely survived. The difference wasn't luck, natural talent, or easier assignments. The difference was intentional rhythm.
This principle extends far beyond military contexts. Consider the research on crisis leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic. Business leaders who maintained consistent routines for physical exercise, family connection, and personal reflection demonstrated significantly better decision-making capabilities and team morale throughout the crisis than those who abandoned personal practices in favor of “all work, all the time” approaches.
The false narrative suggests that pressure requires the sacrifice of personal well-being. The reality is opposite: pressure requires doubling down on the rhythms that sustain us. As I learned to tell the leaders I mentored, “Never let your success outpace your character.” The rhythms that build character are the same ones that sustain success under pressure.
Practical Applications for Civilian Leadership Challenges
The four-rhythm system translates directly to civilian leadership challenges, though the specific practices may look different outside military contexts.
For Corporate Leaders: The relational rhythm might involve structured one-on-ones with team members, regular family dinners without devices, and intentional networking with peer leaders. The spiritual rhythm could include morning meditation, reading meaningful literature, or participating in faith communities. Emotional rhythm practices involve journaling, executive coaching, or regular check-ins with trusted advisors. Physical rhythm includes consistent exercise, adequate sleep, and proper nutrition—even during busy seasons.
For Ministry Leaders: Research shows that 40% of clergy are at high risk of burnout. The four-rhythm approach offers a sustainable alternative to the “ministry martyr” mentality. Relational rhythms include maintaining friendships outside the congregation, protecting family time, and building peer support networks. Spiritual rhythms involve personal devotional practices separate from sermon preparation, spiritual direction, and retreat time. Emotional rhythms include counseling, peer support groups, and honest self-assessment. Physical rhythms encompass exercise, rest, and saying no to overcommitment.
For Entrepreneurs and Small Business Owners: The isolation and pressure of building a business create unique challenges. Relational rhythms include joining entrepreneur groups, maintaining friendships outside business contexts, and protecting family relationships from business stress. Spiritual rhythms involve meditation, reading philosophy or spiritual texts, and connecting with larger purposes beyond profit. Emotional rhythms include regular self-reflection, seeking mentorship, and processing the emotional rollercoaster of business ownership. Physical rhythms involve exercise, adequate sleep, and taking actual vacations.
The key insight is that these rhythms must be maintained, especially when pressure increases, not abandoned in favor of “grinding harder.” Leaders who thrive under pressure understand that sustainable performance requires sustainable practices.
Leading from Overflow, Not Depletion
The deployment taught me a fundamental truth about leadership under pressure: we must serve from overflow, not depletion. In my book, I share a parable about Elias, who lived at the edge of a drought-stricken village. His property contained a natural spring that continued flowing despite the drought. Each morning, Elias filled his cistern first—enough for his family's daily needs—then channeled the remaining water through bamboo pipes to the village square, where anyone could collect what they needed.
When a traveler asked why he gave away what he could sell, Elias replied, “Because my needs are met, and a spring that doesn't flow becomes a stagnant pool.”
This principle revolutionizes how we approach leadership under pressure. When we operate from depletion, giving beyond our capacity without replenishment, we become anxious, protective, and ultimately less effective. But when we prioritize filling our relational, spiritual, emotional, and physical reservoirs first, we transform into overflowing springs—secure enough to give generously without fear of depletion.
The four rhythms create this overflow. They are not selfish indulgences or luxuries for when we have extra time. They are the foundation that enables sustainable service to others, especially during high-pressure seasons.
Your Next Command Decision
The USS Oak Hill taught me that leadership under pressure isn't about having superhuman strength or perfect circumstances. It's about establishing rhythms that create resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance when the stakes are highest.
The question isn't whether you'll face pressure in your leadership role—you will. The question is whether you'll face it with rhythms that sustain you or habits that deplete you.
Here's your next command decision: Go to my website and take the free Assessment. It is a very simple tool for assessing the critical rhythms of your life.
Choose the rhythms—relational, spiritual, emotional, physical—that need your immediate attention. Identify one specific practice you can implement this week to strengthen that rhythm.
I have a free tool called the Life Rhythms Reflection Guide. Scroll down the page to find it. It is a fillable PDF based on my book.
Remember, slow is smooth, and smooth is fast. Start with deliberate, consistent action rather than dramatic overhauls.
The 800 souls aboard the USS Oak Hill depended on leaders who understood this principle. The people in your sphere of influence—your team, family, and community—deserve the same commitment to sustainable leadership rhythms.
What rhythm will you strengthen first? Your future self and those around you are counting on your decision.
