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Perception is Reality

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Perception is Reality

“Perception is reality” is a useful cliché.  Factually speaking, our perception is not the arbitrator of reality.  In my opinion, this scientifically inaccurate cliché is functionally accurate. In the space of effective communication, your ability to appreciate this dynamic is critical on…

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Empathetic Leadership

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Empathetic Leadership

Years ago, I sat in my office as a wing commander, reviewing packages and working to decide which of our enlisted airmen to send to Officer Training School (OTS) and be commissioned as an officer in our United States Air Force.

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Does 1+1 = 2?: The Power Of Team

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Does 1+1 = 2?: The Power Of Team

I have a simple math problem for you.  What is one plus one?  If you said two, you’re correct, some of the time. If you had asked me that question right after I graduated from engineering school, I would have told you emphatically, “yes!” After a 26-year career as a US Navy fighter pilot, I’ll tell you the answer is, “sometimes.”

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Seek Commitment over Compliance

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Seek Commitment over Compliance

The first slide boldly asked, “Are you committed to our company?” This was one of the first questions I was asked during my onboarding in one of my first post-military jobs. I had just completed committing 25+ years of my life and my family’s life to the United States Air Force. We were no strangers to the dedication this lifestyle required to…

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Plan or Strategy – Short-Term Gain or Long-Term Pain?

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Plan or Strategy – Short-Term Gain or Long-Term Pain?

Does your organization have a plan or a strategy? Does the plan apply to the strategy you developed? Does it even matter? Leaders conflate these terms and important organizational leadership tools to the detriment of their teams. Corporate graveyards are littered with…

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The Unspoken Superpower In Business

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The Unspoken Superpower In Business

In a world where many Navy SEALs and other seasoned professionals separate from the military or their past careers and choose a path of executive coaching, motivational speaking, or searching for a paid corporate board position…

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Developing your leadership philosophy and team expectations

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Developing your leadership philosophy and team expectations

The question came at me unexpectedly. I was in a pre-command course learning the roles and responsibilities the U.S. Air Force expects of its squadron commanders. “What is your leadership philosophy and expectations of your unit?”

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Preparation is Overrated

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Preparation is Overrated

Alright, I confess, the title is there to grab your attention…sort of. You see, while there are many adages and clever quotes devoted to the topic of preparation, very little is mentioned about the importance of what successful individuals and teams do afterwards; post-event rituals and…

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Goal Setting vs Trend Setting

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Goal Setting vs Trend Setting

We hear it all the time from our family, friends, and peers. What are your goals? Did you succeed? Even better, what about their reactions to our answers. “Whoa, that’s quite ambitious of you,” and in doing so, planting the seed of doubt that our eyes might be bigger than our stomach.

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Sharpening Leadership Skills through Volunteering

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Sharpening Leadership Skills through Volunteering

Volunteering—particularly with an industry or professional organization provides an opportunity to develop leadership skills in many ways. Seasoned professionals will often find time to volunteer and contribute in specialized ways, but if you’re looking for…

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Decision-Making 101

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Decision-Making 101

I can’t help but notice over the last several years the basics of decision-making appear not so basic anymore. One thing is for certain, we’re all faced with important decisions, personally and/or professionally. In my opinion, such an important thing merits universal basics to apply.

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Focus and Direction

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Focus and Direction

There is a rule of thumb known as the 1 in 60 rule in aviation. It states that for every 1 degree a plane veers off its intended course, it will miss its target destination by one mile for every sixty miles flown.

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The Delegation Dilemma

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The Delegation Dilemma

What is the Delegation Dilemma? Simply put, you might wonder, should I delegate this task to a subordinate or do it myself? Many executives as well as people placed in leadership roles for the first time have difficulty relinquishing control and delegating tasks.

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