ABOUT PAUL
Author. Speaker. Innovator.
Paul Gustavson helps people and organizations see possibility, build courage, and turn meaningful ideas into action.
A LIFE OF BUILDING
Technology, leadership, and the courage to imagine.
Drawing from more than 37 years in engineering leadership, mentoring, and values-anchored work, Paul develops practical frameworks that turn imagination into meaningful action.
He is the author of Face the Mountain, Imagine, Breaking Average, Speech Blueprint, and Leaders Press On. He created Breaking Average as his writing and podcast platform and Lead Bulletproof as a focused leadership community for men.
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ABOUT BREAKING AVERAGE
A place where stories create impact.
Breaking Average began with a simple question: What if ordinary people and teams refused to settle for the status quo and stepped fully into who they were meant to become?
I’m Paul Gustavson. As Chief Technology Officer at SimVentions, I lead innovation alongside people who imagine what is possible and push boundaries to deliver meaningful capability for our nation’s defense.
Outside that role, I felt the need to create a complementary space where leadership, growth, faith, resilience, technology—and even sports and entertainment—intersect in practical, human ways.
That space is Breaking Average.
This is where I step back, think clearly, and share ideas meant to challenge autopilot thinking and encourage intentional living. Because we all have a story to tell.
You’ll find short, reflective posts—usually on weekends—designed to spark insight and action, not simply add noise to your inbox.
This is a place for dialogue. Join the conversation. Share your thoughts. Let’s break average together.
Paul
STILL BUILDING AT SIMVENTIONS
Where engineering meets mission.
Paul co-founded SimVentions in 2000 and continues to serve as its Chief Technology Officer.
As CTO of the engineering company supporting those who protect our nation, he helps guide its technical vision and champions innovation grounded in service, integrity, and excellence.
Breaking Average complements that work. The ideas shared here are informed by the continuing experience of building trusted teams, developing useful technology, keeping promises, and turning difficult mission problems into practical capability.
A GUIDING BELIEF
“Legacy isn’t what you build.
It’s who you build.”
Take the next courageous step.
Invest in people and missions that matter.
Become strong enough to help others climb.