Have you ever wondered what living and working deep under the ocean’s surface would be like? To serve your country uniquely, utilising advanced technology few will ever experience? For Australia's submariners, this is reality. 

In this episode of Frontline to Boardroom, I chat with Peter Scott who served in the Royal Australian Navy and rose to be the professional head of the Navy’s elite: the Submarine Arm. After over three decades in the military, Peter entered the corporate world and became an executive coach.

Peter shares his lived experiences and how he learned to lead in the most challenging moments from emergencies at depth and leading people. He reflects on how his Navy experience helped him succeed in business, with valuable lessons that apply to any career path. 

His approach to leadership is both relatable and inspiring. As Peter puts it, “Leadership is values in action." Peter's story is an incredible testament to the power of resilience and determination. He proves that a career path doesn't have to be linear; it can involve twists and turns leading back to your true passion.

If you are looking for inspiration and motivation, you will want to catch this episode. Tune into Frontline to Boardroom as Peter Scott shares his remarkable journey and the valuable lessons he has learned.  

WHAT YOU’LL DISCOVER IN THIS EPISODE:

• Leadership influences in Peter’s life (04:10)
• The leadership challenges of being a submariner (07:15)
• Peter’s hardest day in the boat (09:01)
• How leaders best respond to paradox and complexity (17:52)
• Why did Peter leave the military? (24:00)
• Leadership lessons Peter learned from the military (27:54)
• How to deal with challenging times (30:19)
• Peter’s ultimate advice when taking more responsibility (35:33)
• The importance of taking care of your mental health (39:34)
• Rapid-fire questions with Peter (40:28)

Quotes“Self care is not selfish. It's a responsibility of a leader to make sure that their mental, physical and spiritual health are being cared for.” - Peter Scott

“Understanding how, and where, what you are doing, or the organization that you're working with, is relevant and valuable to the world around you.” - Peter Scott

“As a leader, you've also got to know enough be able to articulate why it's important in any wider sense.”  -Peter Scott

“This will get worse before it gets worse.” -Peter Scott

“Leadership is values in action.” -Peter Scott

“The real lesson is about integrity - to speak the truth because people remember that.” -Martin Brooker

RESOURCES MENTIONED

• Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life
  
  

WHERE TO FIND PETER SCOTT

• Connect with Peter on LinkedIn.
• Visit Peter’s website here. 

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Guest Bio & headshot

Peter Scott began his career in the Royal Australian Navy as a Midshipman at seventeen, with a mix of hope and uncertainty. Over the course of three decades, he climbed the ranks to become the head of the Navy's elite Submarine Arm, after serving with dedicated crews in the challenging and complex environment of undersea battles.

Throughout his journey, Peter navigated and led others through various at-sea challenges, such as fires, floods, and explosions. He also completed the highly demanding Perisher military command course. He commanded the longest deployment conducted by an Australian submarine while steering the Submarine Arm through unprecedented expansion.

Over his 34-year tenure, Peter served on ten submarines and held twenty different command and leadership positions. He is a veteran of numerous Special Operations with the Submarine Arm and has also seen active duty in Iraq, the Persian Gulf, and Afghanistan during 2006 and 2007. For his outstanding achievements in command of HMAS Collins, he was decorated with the Conspicuous Service Cross. He was later awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service in the Australia Day Honours List of 2008.

Peter's academic pursuits include a Master's degree in Coaching Psychology from the University of Sydney. He now works as an executive coach, helping leaders develop, perform, and achieve their goals. Recently, he authored a memoir titled "Running Deep. An Australian Submarine Life," published by Fremantle Press.

When not coaching or writing, Peter enjoys running ultra-marathons on the trails or spending quality time with his family at home.