Episode 61 - General Joseph Votel: High-Stakes Decisions, Evolving Threats, and Building Resilient Organizations
In this episode of Tipping Spears with Hannah Becker, I sit down with General Joseph Votel, former Commander of U.S. Central Command, to unpack a career that spans nearly four decades at the highest levels of military leadership. From growing up as one of nine children in Minnesota to leading a 79-nation coalition against ISIS, General Votel shares the formative experiences that shaped his approach to command, discipline, and service. His story is grounded in humility but defined by an extraordinary operational legacy across JSOC, SOCOM, and CENTCOM.
We explore how leadership has evolved in an era defined by complexity, uncertainty, and persistent conflict. General Votel breaks down the shift from “command and control” to “command and feedback,” emphasizing the importance of trust, communication, and resilience in modern organizations. He offers a clear-eyed perspective on effective leadership, decision-making under pressure, and why “the basics matter” more than ever, even at the highest levels of strategy and warfare.
The conversation also discusses counterterrorism, the Middle East, and how new technologies are impacting modern warfare. General Votel provides insight into how leaders can navigate high-stakes environments with incomplete information, avoid common pitfalls in crisis management, and prepare for the future of national security. This episode is a true masterclass in leadership, grounded in experience and immediately applicable across both military and civilian contexts!
Guest Bio:
General Joseph L. Votel is a retired U.S. Army Four-Star officer and the former Commander of the U.S. Central Command – responsible for U.S. and coalition military operations in the Middle East, Levant and Central and South Asia. During his 39 years in the military, he commanded special operations and conventional military forces at every level. His career included combat in Panama, Afghanistan and Iraq. Notably, he led a 79-member coalition that successfully liberated Iraq and Syria from the Islamic State Caliphate. He preceded his assignment at CENTCOM with service as the Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command and the Joint Special Operations Command.
Following his retirement from military service, General Votel served as the President & CEO of Business Executives for National Security (BENS). He is member of the Board of Trustees of Noblis Corporation and a Strategic Advisor for Sierra Nevada Corporation and AGI, Inc. Votel is a Board Director with AeroVironment, Minnesota Wire, DC Capital Partners, Helix Decision Science and a member of the Government Advisory Board for Insight Partners. He is the Distinguished Chair of the Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.
General Votel is a member the Board of Governors at the Middle East Institute and Executive Board at the UPenn Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law (CERL). He is a member of the Board for both Bravo Zulu House and the Veterans Defense Project. Votel is a member of the advisory Board for Spirit of America. He is a current member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Votel was recognized with the Distinguished Military Leadership Award from the Atlantic Council, the U.S. – Arab Defense Leadership Award from the National Council on U.S. - Arab Relations, the Patriot Award from the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the SGT James T. Regan Lifetime Achievement Award from the “Lead the Way” Foundation and the Freedom Award from the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum.
Votel is a 1980 graduate of the United States Military Academy and earned master’s degrees from the U.S. Army Command and Staff College and the Army War College. He is married to Michele; and they have two grown sons, a daughter-in-law and two grandchildren. The Votels reside in Lake Elmo, Minnesota. Learn more: www.joevotel.com
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