It was just another day for me until the ground began to shake beneath my feet. An earthquake, I thought. But this was no ordinary earthquake. The concrete outside the window was moving like the ocean, rippling and swaying as if it were alive. I knew then that something truly catastrophic had just occurred. In …
After dodging storms for 20 minutes, there was a break in the weather. I heard a crackling transmission from Brother Bruce, the Island liaison/radio operator for Operation Christmas Drop: “SANTA71, cleared to drop!” It was time to start the airdrop run-in. It was a moment of both excitement and nerves, as the success of the …
Last week I received the news of my unexpected layoff from Johnson and Johnson after nine years of service, I was in shock. The emotions that followed were overwhelming. I felt a sense of disappointment as I realized that I would have to tell my family about the situation, I have a daughter starting college …
“I was laid off last week: Lessons of perseverance and resilience” Read More »
Rob, that would mean you have ten interviews in 14 days…are you sure that’s what you want? To this day, I can’t believe I had ten interviews in just two weeks—it felt like a whirlwind mini-MBA. The people I met, the missions they pursued, and the coast-to-coast conversations made every moment exhilarating. My secret weapon? …
“The truth is that in my High School years I was a f*ck up.” 😞 In 1998, I was 17 years old and two weeks after I graduated High School, I started Enlisted Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. I was determined to conquer the world and put a …
“Carranza, ya big dummy!” – The Art of Coaching and AI-Enhanced Leadership Read More »
As the vibrant orange flames danced in front of our eyes, laughter and tears filled the air, while anger and vulnerability were laid bare. The campfire became a crucible for profound human connections, transforming our lives through shared struggles and triumphs. A life-changing weekend at a veterans men’s camp brought me closer to my faith …
Embers of Connection: How the Flickering Flames of a Campfire Ignite Unbreakable Bonds Read More »
The predictable leader is stumbling. The agile leader is soaring to new heights. And I’m absolutely elated. Why? Because in a world full of uncertainties, it’s the agile leaders who can adapt, learn from experience, and navigate life’s turbulence with confidence. Let me share a story of an inflight emergency that taught me unforgettable lessons …
When Turbulence Teaches Unforgettable Leadership Lessons 🌪️🛬 Read More »
Disclaimer: The names of the Afghan airman mentioned in this article have been made up to protect their real identities. “Baad maa rawaan ke” – “With a bold step forward” As the Chief of Fixed Wing Flying Training for the Afghanistan Air Force, I had the privilege of leading and implementing training, innovation, and ethics …
The radio crackled with the words ‘controlled crash at Saipan international airport…’ sending shivers down my spine. The gravity of the situation hit me, and my mind raced with critical decisions to make. It was, “GO-TIME” ❗️ Pre-flight Check As a Jr. Captain in the Air Force, I was appointed as the overall mission commander …
Background: As a young Air Force space operations Airman, I was part of the 2d Space Warning Squadron. We were responsible for operating two satellite constellations that were crucial to North America’s early warning systems. The Defense Support Program (DSP) satellites, in their 22,300-mile, geosynchronous orbits, were tasked with detecting missile launches, space launches, and …
Loyalty vs. Integrity: The Ultimate Leadership Dilemma Read More »
