The Ed Mylett Show
He Was in the Pentagon on 9/11 | The Truth About Real Leadership Feat. Vice Admiral James Crawford
Episode Summary
AI-generated · Apr 2026AI-generated summary — may contain inaccuracies. Not a substitute for the full episode or professional advice.
This episode features Vice Admiral James Crawford, the former highest-ranking attorney in the U.S. Navy and current President of Texas Southern University, in a profound discussion on true leadership. Crawford, who was in the Pentagon when it was attacked on 9/11 and played a critical role in monitoring the Osama bin Laden operation, shares his belief that authentic leadership is rooted in character, humility, and service, particularly in moments of extreme pressure or national crisis. He emphasizes that effective leadership transcends mere positional authority or personal gain, focusing instead on a dedication to a mission greater than oneself and the empowerment of others. The conversation, guided by Ed Mylett and Michael Savage, aims to redefine leadership beyond social media's flashy portrayals, grounding it in valor and genuine dedication.
Crawford outlines the three pillars that have guided his life: faith, family, and service. He recounts his harrowing experience in the Pentagon on 9/11, observing individuals "revert to their training" and rise to the occasion, a moment he views with gratitude for being able to serve his country. This dedication shaped the trajectory of his military career, including his involvement in sensitive national security operations. Post-military, Crawford chose a path in higher education, first at Felician University and now at Texas Southern University, driven by his father's advice to enable others to have rich and vibrant lives, choosing service over more lucrative opportunities.
His leadership philosophy centers on character, humility, and authenticity. Crawford asserts that humility is a leader's "greatest shield against the leader's greatest enemy"—ego and arrogance—allowing one to embrace self-awareness and foster an environment where others can innovate. He champions the principle of "mission first, people always," stressing that people are not chess pieces but vital collaborators. The concept of "unguarded moments" is introduced, highlighting how a leader's consistent actions away from the spotlight are more powerful than any scripted speech, building the trust essential for leading during times of stress.
Addressing leadership in education, Crawford discusses the challenges of holding vision for institutions like Texas Southern University, which often require significant lifts. He advocates for "strategic patience"—a blend of urgency and understanding that change takes time—and for leaders to be precise in their vision, set conditions for success, and maintain accountability. For students entering a rapidly changing world dominated by smart machines and AI, he stresses the importance of graduating "thinking people" who are agile, constant learners, and attuned to "external trends," rather than merely accumulating knowledge. Ultimately, Crawford shares a profound shift in his belief about leadership: it's less about being the "sharpest tool" and more about understanding one's "reservoir of strength" (for him, faith) to navigate inevitable storms.
👤 Who Should Listen
- Aspiring leaders and managers seeking to develop authentic, value-driven leadership styles.
- Military personnel and veterans contemplating career transitions into civilian leadership or education.
- Educators and academic administrators navigating the complexities and future of higher education.
- Anyone interested in personal resilience, the human response to crisis, and the importance of service.
- Entrepreneurs and business owners looking for insights on team building, trust, and managing during stressful periods.
- Individuals grappling with fear or uncertainty about their career path in a rapidly changing world.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- 1.Vice Admiral Crawford's life and career decisions have been guided by three fundamental pillars: faith, family, and service.
- 2.His experience in the Pentagon on 9/11 revealed that in times of challenge, people "revert to their training" and he felt immense gratitude to serve where his country needed him.
- 3.True leadership is an "amalgam of character, humility, and authenticity," with humility serving as a leader's "greatest shield against the leader's greatest enemy," ego and arrogance.
- 4.The core principle "mission first, people always" emphasizes that mission accomplishment is impossible without valuing and integrating the people involved.
- 5.A leader's "unguarded moments"—actions when they believe they are unobserved—are more powerful than any articulated vision in establishing trust and authenticity.
- 6.Effective leaders in modern times must foster "thinking people" and agile learners, staying attuned to "external trends" like AI rather than just accumulating knowledge.
- 7.Over time, Crawford learned that leadership isn't about being the "sharpest tool" but about understanding and drawing upon one's "reservoir of strength" during times of testing.
- 8.Strategic patience is crucial for leaders, demanding a sense of urgency for progress while understanding that significant change does not happen overnight.
💡 Key Concepts Explained
Three Pillars of Life
Vice Admiral Crawford explains that his life has been guided by faith, family, and service. This framework highlights how deeply held personal values can shape one's entire career and personal trajectory, especially when faced with significant choices like transitioning from military to civilian leadership.
Humility as the Leader's Greatest Shield
Crawford defines humility as a leader's primary defense against their greatest enemy: ego and arrogance. This concept suggests that embracing one's self-awareness of limitations and fostering an open environment for others' solutions is crucial for effective and sustained leadership, preventing self-centered decision-making.
Mission First, People Always
This principle, adopted by Crawford from a senior Navy leader, emphasizes that while the mission is paramount, it cannot be accomplished without consistently prioritizing and valuing the people. It's presented as a way to integrate organizational goals with human well-being, avoiding the perception of people as mere 'chess pieces'.
Unguarded Moments
Crawford highlights that a leader's actions in "unguarded moments"—when they believe they are unobserved—are far more impactful than any formal or scripted message. These moments reveal authenticity and consistency, which are vital for building the trust and reliability necessary for a team to rally around a leader during stressful times.
Reservoir of Strength
Crawford posits that a leader needs to understand their "reservoir of strength"—the fundamental source they draw upon when facing immense challenges. He argues that talent and intellect alone are insufficient for navigating major 'storms,' emphasizing the importance of deeper, personal foundations like faith.
⚡ Actionable Takeaways
- →Identify and commit to your core personal values (like faith, family, and service) to guide your decision-making in both career and life.
- →Cultivate humility in your leadership by recognizing what you don't know and actively creating space for others to contribute solutions and innovate.
- →Adopt the "mission first, people always" philosophy, ensuring you integrate the well-being and development of your team with organizational goals.
- →Monitor your "unguarded moments" to ensure your actions consistently align with your stated values and expectations for your team, building trust through reliability.
- →Become a "constant learner" and stay attuned to "external trends" in your industry and the broader world (e.g., AI) to remain agile and relevant.
- →Define your personal "reservoir of strength"—what you draw upon when faced with significant challenges—to maintain resilience and effective leadership.
- →Practice "strategic patience" as a leader, balancing a sense of urgency for progress with the understanding that impactful change requires sustained effort and time.
⏱ Timeline Breakdown
💬 Notable Quotes
“"In times of challenge, you become who you are truly... those women and men were remarkable. Being in the Pentagon that day is the thing that I am so thankful that I was able to be there because I was where my country needed me to be to serve at that moment." - Vice Admiral James Crawford [00:00]”
“"Leadership is an amalgam of many, many, many things... three critical things... that I look to is character, humility, and authenticity. ... Humility... is the leader's greatest shield against the leader's greatest enemy... that leader's ego and the arrogance." - Vice Admiral James Crawford [19:10]”
“"Mission first, people always." - Vice Admiral James Crawford [22:54]”
“"If you're not authentic, when you really need your team is in times when the organization is under stress. ... That's when the leader has to be at their best and you can't then begin to gather people around you. People have to already be gathered." - Vice Admiral James Crawford [29:05]”
“"If all you have to draw on is that your talent or your intellect, you are eventually going to come into a situation, a storm of such magnitude that you're going to be unmoored and you're going to be adrift... because talent and intellect is not going to be enough." - Vice Admiral James Crawford [59:17]”
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Vice Admiral James Crawford
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