What does it take to lead with confidence when the world keeps shifting and the path forward isn’t clear? In this episode of The Covert Code Podcast, I sit down with Dave Chauhan—author of “Captain, Set Sail,” founder of The Nautical Leadership Model™, and co-founder of Purple Spark Advisory. Discover how Dave helps leaders navigate change with clarity, courage, and purpose, using maritime principles to guide modern leadership challenges. Learn why uncertainty doesn’t have to mean paralysis, how to set a clear course when the waters are choppy, and why purpose-driven leadership is the compass that keeps organizations on track through turbulent times. Whether you’re steering a startup, managing a team through transformation, or simply seeking to lead more confidently in unpredictable environments, Dave’s nautical approach to leadership will provide the navigation tools you need to chart your course with conviction.

Meet Dave Chauhan

Dave Chauhan is a leadership strategist, author, and speaker known for helping leaders find clarity and composure in times of change. Over 17 years across industries, including manufacturing, infrastructure, technology, and design, he led large teams through disruption and discovered a powerful truth: traditional leadership models built on control and certainty no longer work.

That realization inspired Nautical Leadership, a values-driven framework that redefines leadership as navigation, not command. It centers on three timeless anchors: The Beacon, The Wayfinder, and The Seafarer.

In his debut book, Captain, Set Sail: A Nautical Guide to Leadership in an Uncharted World, Dave shares this model as a compass for modern leaders seeking to move beyond burnout and bureaucracy toward meaning, connection, and purposeful direction.

Blending the rigor of strategy with the empathy of storytelling, Dave’s approach offers a calm, credible alternative to hustle-driven leadership, one grounded in humanity, resilience, and courage.