From Claustrophobic Fighter Pilot to Hall of Fame Speaker & Entrepreneur: Three Helpful Hacks for Professional Success

Imagine being a claustrophobic fighter pilot who flew 65 combat missions and clocked 2650 flight hours. Every time he stepped into his jet, his palms were sweaty and his breathing tight. But he didnt let his discomfort stop him. He was committed to the mission, his country, and to his wingmen who were depending on him to show up and execute at 100%.

Now, consider that same man traveling the globe to share his wisdom, strength, and experience with companies and audiences so that they too can excel in their personal and professional lives.

Meet Lt Col Rob Waldo Waldman, MBA, CSP, CPAE, my friend and colleague. A decorated fighter pilot, Hall of Fame speaker and executive coach, he exemplifies commitment to excellence and a mental strength that has helped him achieve goals that fewer than 5% of people in the world have reached.

How would I describe Waldo? Hes bright, authentic, generous, and much better looking than Tom Cruise in Top Gun. (smile) It was my honor to hear him speak at an American Express Open event in Atlanta. He was a powerhouse on stage, but it also felt like he was speaking directly to me. He has the ability to reach out and touch people universally and personally. Everyone in the room was captivated. He was speaking to entrepreneurs and business leaders that day, but he speaks to a multitude of audiences worldwide.

Im going to share a few hacks with you that Waldo offered us that day, many which come from his New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo. Although he and I come from different backgrounds and life experiences, we connect and agree on some core principles and values.

1. Talk charge of your focus. As a fighter pilot, Waldo had to be aware of all that was surrounding him. In his world, its called situational awareness. SA for short. He needed to be acutely mindful of what was going well and what wasnt. While important not to deny the negatives, he did not have the luxury or inclination to dwell on them. No time to ponder his fear or call for an hour long meeting to work through a decision! LOL. He did focus on problem solving, collaboration, and process improvement all which led to increased focus.

Fighter pilots train relentlessly and are committed to constant growth. Before each mission, a briefing ensures alignment and focus. Afterwards, a debriefing helps course-correct, refocus training, and maintain a flightpath towards excellence. Rank, personalities, and attitudes are always put to the side. What he learned is also valuable in business. Put your hands on the steering wheel of your focus, and thus your life. Where focus goes, energy flows. Dont sabotage your success by getting bogged down in the negatives. Acknowledge them, but dont give them power. Plan and strategize with your wingmen how you will overcome obstacles instead. This will ultimately increase your courage the fuel for peak performance. Courageous leaders know how to command their focus and lead their teams to do the same. As he says, Be a commander, not a demander.

2. Make time to express appreciation and gratitude. This is a key concept in Waldos message. Research in positive psychology shows that people who have a consistent gratitude practice are healthier, happier and even more successful. Many assume that successful people are happy because they are successful, but the reverse is actually true. Successful people actively cultivate happiness and are intentional about their gratitude. Make a call, write a note, or even better, publicly acknowledge the people who deserve it. Dont forget the ones behind the scenes the unsung heroes - who take care of the details while you fly your mission. There are humble people all around you who steadily get it done without seeking applause or acknowledgement. They deserve to be recognized.

Smart leaders understand the value in expressing appreciation to their colleagues, clients, subordinates, partners, and even predecessors who helped pave the way for them. None of us have gotten to where we are flying solo. Waldo reminds his audiences that as a fighter pilot, you depend on your wingmen to make the mission successful. Not just the ones you fly with, but also those fueling the plane, fixing equipment, and packing your survival gear. Who are your wingmen and are you expressing gratitude regularly? When you practice this principle, youll notice increased cohesion, loyalty and commitment from every wingman in your organization. It will impact your business too, as theyll come up with innovative ideas, adapt to change, and put in extra effort when the going gets tough.

3. Surround yourself with positive, inspiring people. Emotions and attitudes are contagious. You become who you spend time with! Take time to find your tribe of people your wingmen - that uplift you and truly want you to grow. Connect with people who are authentic and sincere and who you feel comfortable going to for help. They should have the ability to tell you what you need to hear, and not just what you want to hear. Just as important is eliminating people that drag you down, and who dont emulate excellence in their life. Theres a saying that when you hang out with chickens, you begin to cluck. And when you hang out with eagles, you will begin to fly. Spend time with people who help you become your highest and best self. Finally dont forget to be that wingman for others. As Waldo says, leaders lift. In order to find more wingmen, you have to be one.

These three simple, but profound tools can improve your personal and professional life, and allow you to soar to new heights in this ever-changing world we live in. You can learn more about Rob Waldo Waldman and his services at https://yourwingman.com