J&L Petersen Inc.
Jim Petersen, PhD, Navy veteran and leadership author

AUTHOR · SPEAKER · LEADERSHIP EXPERT

Leadership That Shapes Results—and Life

Helping leaders and organizations succeed through Character, Style, and Judgment—so they don't just perform at a high level, they live at a high level.
From the boardroom to everyday decisions, leadership isn't just about what you achieve—it's about how you think, how you lead, and how you live.
BOOK JIM TO SPEAKEXPLORE THE BOOKS

NEW RELEASE

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow - Finding Happiness by Jim Petersen, PhD

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

Finding Happiness at Life's Stops Along the Way

A powerful and practical guide to living a happier, more grounded life—especially in a world that often feels uncertain. Built on real-life stories, leadership insights, and timeless perspective.

At its core: resilience, perspective, and the daily choice to move forward with purpose.

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THE PHILOSOPHY

The Petersen Philosophy

Leadership and life in four dimensions—Character, Style, Judgment, and Happiness.
The Petersen Philosophy diagram — Leadership and Life in Four Dimensions

  • Character

    The foundation. Integrity, resilience, and the courage to lead when it matters most.
    The Spirit to Soar - Vietnam POW story by Barry Bridger

    The Spirit to Soar

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  • Style

    Your ability to connect, communicate, and bring out the best in your team.
    Who Let The Dogs Lead - Leadership fable by Jim Petersen, PhD

    Who Let the Dogs Lead?

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  • Judgment

    Thinking clearly, sorting through noise, and making the call when uncertainty strikes.
    The Facts Don't Matter by Jim Petersen, PhD

    The Facts Don't Matter

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  • Life & Perspective

    Resilience, happiness, and the perspective to find forward momentum in any season.
    The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow - Finding Happiness by Jim Petersen, PhD

    The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

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Leadership is about who you are, how you lead, how you think — and how you live.

The Arc of the Work

From Leading Yourself … to Leading Others … to Coaching at the Highest Level.

WHY JIM

Proven Leadership. Real-World Results.

  • U.S. Naval Academy Graduate
  • Captain, U.S. Naval Reserve (Ret.)
  • Hall of Fame — The American College of Financial Services
  • Former Chair of Leadership, The American College
  • Led and developed over 1,000 advisors and leaders
  • CEO & Founder, Diversified Professional Coaching
  • President, Professional Business Coaches Alliance

Decades of leadership experience—applied in the real world, not just theory.

Jim Petersen, PhD — Navy veteran, leadership author and speaker

IN THE MEDIA

Jim Petersen, PhD — Featured Podcast Appearances

Jim Petersen, PhD on The Jeff Crilley Show

The Jeff Crilley Show New

From Submarine Officer to Leadership Author

Jim discusses his 22-year Navy career, the Petersen Leadership Model, and why optimism is a leadership principle—not just a personality trait.

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Jim Petersen, PhD on the Sing Second Podcast

Sing Second Podcast

Leadership, Resilience & the Petersen Model

Jim shares the principles behind the Petersen Leadership Model and what decades of military and executive experience taught him about leading well.

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WATCH

The Books on Video

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

The Sun Will Come Up Tomorrow

Who Let the Dogs Lead

Who Let the Dogs Lead?

How You Lead Determines How You Live

Leadership is more than performance metrics and outcomes. It's about building a life of purpose, resilience, and impact. Because at the end of the day…the sun will come up tomorrow. The question is—how will you show up with it? Jim Petersen, PhD is available for speaking engagements, leadership workshops, and executive coaching.