APEX Performance

Dr. Anthony Simmons

Apex Performance Podcast with Dr. Anthony Simmons explores how authentic relationships drive leadership, team performance, and organizational success. A retired U.S. Navy Captain and strategic leadership expert, Dr. Simmons shares practical insights on leadership development, team building, change management, and talent growth. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to help executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders build high-performing teams and achieve lasting professional success. 

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    Upside-down Leadership

    What happens when people occupy leadership positions but lack the mindset, emotional intelligence, and self-awareness required to truly lead? In this thought-provoking episode of Apex Performance Podcast, Dr. Anthony Simmons introduces the concept of Upside-Down Leadership, a leadership model where individuals use their position to elevate themselves rather than develop the people they serve. Drawing from decades of leadership experience, doctoral research, and command at sea, Dr. Simmons explores why so many organizations struggle with trust, engagement, development, and performance despite having leaders in place. You'll discover the critical differences between leaders and followers, the role of emotional intelligence in leadership effectiveness, the dangers of ego-driven leadership, and why authentic leaders create platforms for others to grow rather than standing on the shoulders of those they lead. If you're a leader, aspiring leader, educator, coach, executive, or anyone responsible for developing people, this episode offers a powerful challenge to rethink what leadership truly means. Because leadership isn't about power, position, or status. It's about creating opportunities for others to rise higher than you ever could alone. Connect with Dr. Anthony Simmons Visit ApexPerformancePodcast.com for leadership resources, free gifts, and more episodes designed to help you build authentic relationships, elevate performance, and lead with purpose.

    21 min
  2. Jun 2

    Change Management is about Trust through Communication

    In this episode of Apex Performance, Dr. Anthony Simmons explores one of the greatest challenges facing leaders today: navigating change while maintaining trust, alignment, and organizational performance. Drawing from his experience as a Navy leader, executive coach, and scholar practitioner, Dr. Simmons shares practical strategies for managing both planned organizational change and unexpected adversity. The conversation dives into change management, leadership communication, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, resilience, crisis response, team performance, and strategic leadership. Dr. Simmons explains why most change initiatives fail, not because of the change itself, but because leaders fail to clearly communicate the vision, purpose, impact, and path forward. He introduces powerful frameworks for creating alignment, building trust, and helping teams navigate uncertainty with confidence. Listeners will also learn why emotional stamina, resilience, discipline, and authentic leadership are essential during periods of disruption. Through real-world examples from business, higher education, and military leadership, Dr. Simmons demonstrates how leaders can transform adversity into opportunity while strengthening team engagement, accountability, and performance. If you're a leader, executive, manager, entrepreneur, or professional navigating change in today's fast-moving world, this episode offers actionable insights for leading through uncertainty, building resilient teams, and creating sustainable success during times of transformation.

    32 min

About

Apex Performance Podcast with Dr. Anthony Simmons explores how authentic relationships drive leadership, team performance, and organizational success. A retired U.S. Navy Captain and strategic leadership expert, Dr. Simmons shares practical insights on leadership development, team building, change management, and talent growth. Each episode delivers actionable strategies to help executives, entrepreneurs, and leaders build high-performing teams and achieve lasting professional success.