John Havlik’s Hard-Earned Lesson from the SEAL Teams
John R. Havlik knows leadership. A retired U.S. Navy SEAL Captain with over three decades of service, he’s the kind of leader you’d want at the helm when the stakes are sky-high.
Now, some context: in the Army or Air Force, “Captain” is a mid-level officer rank. But in the Navy, it’s one step away from becoming an Admiral—a Flag Officer. That’s why it always makes me laugh when Hollywood, like in Top Gun: Maverick, mocks the “lowly rank of Captain.” In reality, it’s a serious leadership position.
And yet, despite his extraordinary résumé, John will tell you the same truth he shares in his book The Leadership Killer (co-authored with Bill Treasurer): the one thing that can take down a leader faster than any external enemy is ego.
EGO: THE SILENT LEADERSHIP KILLER
Ego is insidious. It sneaks in under the guise of confidence and ambition, only to grow unchecked until it topples even the most promising careers.
It blinds leaders to their flaws. It deafens them to feedback. It convinces them they’re invincible. Leaders driven by ego stop listening, start taking all the credit, and forget that leadership is a privilege, not a right.
As Havlik and Treasurer put it: “Hubris is the root of all evil.” Arrogance, micromanagement, abuse of power—these all branch from unchecked ego.
John’s own career is proof. At one point, he was riding high, certain of his success. But his overconfidence led to mistakes—and those mistakes carried consequences. He was passed over for promotion, his trajectory halted. That humbling moment forced him to confront his own hubris and redefine what leadership really meant.
The damage of ego isn’t confined to the leader. It spreads like a virus through teams and organizations. It kills morale, undermines trust, and breeds resentment. When the leader makes everything about themselves, the team eventually stops following.
HUMILITY: THE CORNERSTONE OF GREAT LEADERSHIP
If ego is the killer, humility is the antidote. And humility is not optional—it’s essential.
Humility doesn’t mean weakness. It’s the ability to admit when you’re wrong, give credit to others, and genuinely listen. It’s leading with empathy and recognizing that leadership is service, not dominance.
After his setback, John didn’t double down on ego. He learned from it. He discovered that great leaders don’t pretend to have all the answers. Instead, they surround themselves with people who challenge them, who will speak truth to power, and who keep them grounded.
One of his most valuable lessons: every leader needs a “check.” Whether it’s a trusted advisor, mentor, or peer group, these voices call you out when ego creeps in. They keep you honest, humble, and focused on the mission above yourself.
CHECK YOURSELF
So here’s the question for you: are you leading for yourself, or for others? Unchecked ego leads to resentment and regret. Humility leads to trust, loyalty, and impact.
As you reflect on your own leadership, ask yourself:
- Am I truly listening to my team?
- Do I give away credit more than I take it?
- Do I have trusted voices who hold me accountable when ego creeps in?
If your answers reveal more ego than humility, it’s time to stop and reset. Because if you refuse to confront your ego, the rest of your leadership journey may be wasted.
The best leaders don’t make it about themselves. They make it about their people, their mission, and the legacy they leave behind.
CALL TO ACTION
What about you? Where has ego shown up in your leadership—and how did humility change the outcome? Share your experience in the comments below.
If you want to dive deeper, listen to my full conversation with John Havlik on the Peak Performance Leadership podcast