Deloitte’s Meg Schult: Five Lessons I Learned From My Military Experience about How To Survive And Thrive During A Time Of Crisis

In this interview series, we are exploring the subject of dealing with crises and how to adapt and overcome them. Crisis management is one characteristic that many successful leaders share in common, and in many cases, it is the most important trait necessary to survive and thrive in today’s complex market. I had the pleasure of interviewing Meg Schult, retired U.S. Navy Captain — where her last tour was Deputy Chair, War Gaming Department, Naval War College — and, today, a Deloitte specialist leader in cyber & strategic risk.

Meg Schult, a Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory specialist leader in cyber & strategic risk, where she focuses on cyber wargaming exercises, in 2022

Thank you so much for doing this with us! Before we dig in, our readers would love to get to know you a bit. Can you tell us a bit about your childhood “backstory”?

I was raised in a suburb of Boston, the third of 4 girls in an Irish-American, Catholic family. My parents instilled in us the idea that we could do or be anything we put our minds to, so I had no sense of limitations. I was a competitive high school springboard diver and was recruited by the U.S. Naval Academy’s diving coach. I went on a recruiting trip and really liked what I was exposed to. The Academy was challenging but provided experiences I never would have had otherwise. In fact, my younger sister, Katie, followed me to the Naval Academy; today, she’s a helicopter pilot serving in the Navy on the Sixth Fleet staff in Naples, Italy.

And what are you doing today? Can you share a story that exemplifies the unique work that you are doing?

Today, I work in Deloitte Risk & Financial Advisory’s cyber & strategic risk practice, where I specialize in helping clients with cyber wargaming, or deep scenario planning for potentially massively destructive cyber events. We guide C-suite executives through cyber attack simulations, helping them understand and rehearse the actions and decisions they may face during a major cyber incident. Through cyber wargames, organizational leaders can see how their people, plans and/or processes might need refinement or wholesale change to support effective crisis response.

Can you tell us a bit about your military background?

I started my career serving on a refueling ship, the USS CIMARRON (AO 177), as a surface warfare officer where I was assigned as the communications officer. The Navy at the time had a ‘combat exclusion’ policy that prevented women from serving in direct combat roles. Several years later, the Navy established an officer community focused on network communications — a role then called Information Professional — which further evolved into cybersecurity work. As my Navy career progressed, I went on to serve in a variety of cyber defense-related assignments (in chronological order): the Navy’s Network Operating Center director Fleet Cyber Command, 10th Fleet; the Navy Element Commander and Director of Intelligence and Security for Joint Interagency Task Force South; the Navy’s Information Warfare Talent Management Directorate; and, during my final tour, as the Deputy Chair for the Wargaming Department at the Naval War College.

Can you share the most interesting story that you experienced during your military career? What “take away” did you learn from that story?

When I was an Ensign on my first ship, the ship ran aground while conducting maneuvers close to shore. It was a tough lesson in the ultimate accountability that comes with the responsibility of leadership and command. The Commanding Officer, who I very much admired, was relieved of command on the very same day, before the results of any investigation.

We are interested in fleshing out what a hero is. Did you experience or hear about a story of heroism, during your military experience? Can you share that story with us? Feel free to be as elaborate as you’d like.

I had the great pleasure of working on the staff of ADM Michael Rogers while he was the Commander of Fleet Cyber Command. He was the most effective, dedicated and selfless leader that I have ever encountered. He led Fleet Cyber Command through some very challenging times, inclusive of a major cyberattack, while never losing his humanity, humility or his sense of humor.

Based on that story, how would you define what a “hero” is? Can you explain?

To me, the strongest leaders show-up in top form every time — something that can be particularly challenging during the difficult times. Often being your best during tough times means prioritizing engagement with people at all levels — not just senior leaders — even when your inbox is calling.

Does a person need to be facing a life and death situation to do something heroic or to be called a hero?

One thing I learned in the Navy that I think applies nearly everywhere is that we all have a role to play and, no matter your role, doing it well is key. I value hard workers who show-up every day and do their best, through the good and bad, often with little recognition or fanfare. I make it a point to commend as many colleagues as I can when a job is well done, because I think everyone appreciates being appreciated.

Based on your military experience, can you share with our readers 5 Leadership or Life Lessons that you learned from your experience”? (Please share a story or example for each.)

1. Take care of the people who operate and interact with your organization’s technology. Technology is nothing without people to operate and use it!
2. Accountability. Everyone has a part to play and showing-up in top-form — particularly through tough times — makes you, your team and your organization a reliable resource.
3. Don’t let difficult feedback affect you too much. Listen to it, keep showing up and working hard, but instead of obsessing over the feedback, focus on not making the same mistake again. Leaders are generally understanding of honest mistakes.
4. Make plans for the future, while understanding that those plans will serve as a point to deviate from in times of crisis. In cybersecurity at least, no plan survives first contact with the enemy.
5. Recognize there will be ‘fog of war.’ In times of crisis, you’ll never have perfect or full information, so you have to be prepared to make the best decision you can with what you do know and adapt as things progress.

Do you think your experience in the military helped prepare you for business? Can you explain?

Absolutely, without question, my years of Navy service have prepared me for the business world. Leadership is very similar in or out of the military in that all of those leaders need to create connections, show genuine concern, set the example, be kind and empathetic, while also ensuring their teams have the tools and support they need.

As you know, some people are scarred for life by their experience in the military. Did you struggle after your deployment was over?

Yes, I did. After my deployment to Afghanistan, I thought I should be happy to have returned home safely after successfully completing my mission. But, once home, I found that I missed the high-pace and comradery of combat deployment and that I was also deeply sad about all the experiences my family had without me while I was gone. I needed to allow myself to grieve for our family lost time, as I think all Armed Forces members and their loved ones face after a lengthy deployment. Later when we, as a family, transferred overseas to Italy, I focused on making new memories with my loved ones, which got me out of my deep-blue funk!

What have you done to adjust and thrive in civilian life that others may want to emulate?

The Navy taught me how to work in a fast-paced, high performing organization. So, post-Navy employment, I sought another fast-paced, high-performing organization that both valued my years of service and had values itself that aligned with my own.

Are you working on any exciting new projects now? How do you think that will help people?

Cyberattacks remain on the rise. In helping organizations prepare to prevent, detect and respond to cyber incidents, I’m hopeful our global society will continue to respond to criminals more effectively and reduce cybercrime over the long-term.

What advice would you give to other leaders to help their team to thrive?

Take care of your people and they will deliver beyond your expectations. Empathy is crucial to understanding others’ priorities and perspectives — which can, in turn, nurture diverse thinking for cyber problem-solving.

None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story about that?

I am blessed with three sisters who have been my sounding board over the years. Although I don’t always follow their advice, my sisters are always there for me.

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I feel like being a part of the world’s strongest Navy contributed to global stability. ‘Power for peace’ the motto of the Navy’s Sixth Fleet in Naples, Italy resonates with me and why I served for 30 years.

You are a person of great influence. If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. :-)

Fighting climate change is one area where I think everyone can contribute in their own way to benefit the greater good. There are small things each person can do to contribute to reducing their carbon footprint every day to help slow climate change.

Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?

It’s been said for centuries across languages and cultures, but I find the adage “This too shall pass” is a helpful reminder to get me through the hardest times and to remind me to appreciate the good times. Learn from the good and the bad by living in the moment!

Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world, or in the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why?

I would absolutely love to share a meal with Bryan Stephenson. Among other things, he is a law professor, founder and executive director of the Equal Justice Initiative and author of the book “Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption.” I loved his book and admire both his humility and his accomplishments in successfully challenging bias against the poor and marginalized groups in the U.S. criminal justice system.

Thank you so much for these amazing insights. This was truly uplifting.