On this episode, we revisit our interview with Jeff Johnson, a longtime maritime leader and incident commander, and president of the Cook Inlet Tug and Barge Company. This episode originally aired in 2023.
Jeff has sailed on tankers, worked across the United States and overseas, and shares with us his perspective on effective crisis leadership.
We dig into the traits Jeff believes matter most for crisis leadership in shipping and beyond: relentless communication, real humility, and the flexibility to change course as conditions evolve. From unified command dynamics to the human side of leadership, Jeff explains why “checking your ego at the door” is more than a slogan, and how that mindset helps protect safety, build trust with impacted communities, and keep teams working as one.
Then we get practical about the Incident Command System (ICS) and crisis communications. Jeff shares advice for new responders and communicators: use ICS habits in everyday operations, swap roles during exercises to find your best fit, and actually read the plans sitting on the shelf. We also unpack what makes a strong Public Information Officer (PIO): consistent data management, accurate reporting, and the patience to listen and stay for the full set of questions. Finally, Jeff outlines how global shipping changes incident planning, why strong partners matter, and how delegated authority and deputy leadership can speed approvals and prevent the endless revise-and-resubmit loop.
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