Beyond the comfort zone

AT SOME point in their careers, all leaders will face the prospect of a promotion - and hesitate, retired United States Navy vice admiral John Ryan tells The Business Times.

"You get to a certain point where you're comfortable, and you say, why would I want to embarrass myself (by going further)? Another leader has to push them through that door."

Mr Ryan's own moment came at the age of 42, after he had risen up the ranks as a Navy pilot, leading "squadrons, wings and forces" across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.