What if the real test of leadership is your willingness to be disliked for making necessary change? That’s the provocation at the center of our conversation with Peter Cuneo—Navy veteran, seven-time corporate turnaround leader, and creator of the 28 essentials of “superhero leadership.” From Marvel’s boardroom to the bridge of a destroyer, Peter breaks down why courage is the foundation of every other leadership virtue and how the hardest leap is emotional: accepting that progress upsets people, even when it’s good for them. We trace the origin story of the 28 essentials on an 11-hour flight to China, then move through patterns shared by great leaders: running at problems, embracing alien environments, and drawing strength from childhood adversity rather than shrinking from it. Peter shares why overparenting sabotages resilience in the next generation and offers concrete ways to build leadership early—travel that stretches comfort zones, real responsibility, honest feedback, and diverse, face-to-face experiences that teach instincts no textbook can. He also points to history as a living classroom, showing how archives and biographies compress centuries of decision-making into practical lessons you can apply today. The through line is communication as an art. Peter explains how body language, tone, and consistency matter as much as the message, and why people prefer hard truth over the fog of uncertainty. You’ll come away with a sharper lens for your own leadership: how to act before certainty, speak plainly without spin, and make choices that trade popularity for progress. If you’re ready to strengthen your courage, steady your voice, and run toward hard problems, this conversation is your field guide. Subscribe, share with a friend who leads, and leave a review with the one essential you’ll practice this week.
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