The Hidden Drivers of Optimal Performance – an Interview with Rich Diviney #271
The Brian Buffini Show
Brian Buffini
4.8 • 2.4K Ratings
🗓️ 30 March 2021
⏱️ 45 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
“The question is, can you figure out your engine, your vehicle, so you can start doing better in your own environment?” – Rich Diviney
What are the key attributes for success in even the toughest situation? In this episode, Brian interviews retired Navy SEAL Commander Rich Diviney about his book, “The Attributes.” Rich explains how, through close observation of the most elite optimal performers, he learned to identify the hidden drivers of performance that explain how someone will succeed, both as an individual and as part of a team. Topics discussed include: the unique SEAL mindset, the difference between skills and attributes and the defining qualities of real leadership.
YOU WILL LEARN:
- The five attributes of optimal performance.
- How everyone possesses these attributes to varying degrees.
- Why you must understand and cultivate your own attributes.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
“The Shawshank Redemption” movie
“Key to Yourself,” by Venice Bloodworth
INSPIRATIONAL QUOTES FROM THIS EPISODE:
“Courage cannot exist without fear.” – Rich Diviney
“There's a distinct difference between being in charge and being a leader. Being in charge is a noun, and being a leader is a verb.” – Rich Diviney
“One of the most important jobs of leadership is oftentimes not to be in the front at all, it’s to push your people up front.” – Rich Diviney
“Humility is a difficult thing. Because as soon as you think you have it, you've lost it.” – Rich Diviney
“Laughter is a binding element that hacks into courage and allows us to keep going.” – Rich Diviney
“Be resolute in the outcome, but don't dictate the pathway. You have to be adaptable - the pathway is going to change.” – Rich Diviney
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Music |
| 0:14.0 | Welcome to the Brian Bafini Show, where we explore the mindsets, motivation and methodologies of success. |
| 0:20.0 | Here's your coach, Brian Bafini. |
| 0:23.0 | Music |
| 0:40.0 | Well, the top of the morning, Tia, and welcome to the Brian Bafini Show. |
| 0:44.0 | Very special guest on our show today, one I'm personally very thankful for for his service to our country. |
| 0:50.0 | His name is Rich Divini and he was a commanding officer of an elite force in the Navy Seals, with a career spanning more than 20 years and 13 overseas deployment. |
| 1:00.0 | As the officer in charge of training for a specialized command, Rich spearheaded the creation of a director that fused physical, mental and emotional disciplines. |
| 1:09.0 | He also led the selection and human performance development in the Seals. |
| 1:13.0 | Rich now teaches on leadership and optimal performance and recently reached his first book, which is a great book which will not be his last. |
| 1:21.0 | I tell you that and it's called the attributes 25 hidden drivers of optimal performance, which we'll be getting into today. |
| 1:29.0 | Rich, thanks for joining us and welcome to the show. |
| 1:32.0 | Brian, thanks so much for having me. It's such a pleasure and an honor. |
| 1:35.0 | Thank you for your very, very deep service to this country and the world in helping us save lives and keep the peace all over the place. Thanks a million. |
| 1:44.0 | Thank you. I appreciate that. |
| 1:46.0 | Give us a little background. Where did you grow up? What was like growing up in the Divini household? |
| 1:51.0 | Well, I grew up in New England and we are a nice town in Connecticut. Kind of an average, just a nice childhood. |
| 2:07.0 | That's the Divini, Irish name, not an Italian name. But my mom, my mom is, her dad was from Malta, her mom was Greek and she was born in Egypt. She used to say, you guys are all muts, which is good because you're citizens of the world. |
| 2:22.0 | We had that open-mindedness from day one. Interesting enough, my dad was a private pilot. He used to take us flying every weekend and we loved it. |
| 2:31.0 | I have a twin brother. He and I were sold from day one and so from the age of six years old we wanted to be Navy pilots because we figured, well, Navy pilots, those guys land on ships. |
| 2:40.0 | It couldn't be harder than that, right? |
| 2:42.0 | And it was really after the first Gulf War in the 90s that I learned about SEAL teams and said to myself, you know, that sounds really interesting. |
... |
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