University of Minnesota - UMN Executive Leadership Insights
Never Fly Solo
Book

Never Fly Solo

Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Partnerships, and Reach New Heights in Business

Rob "Waldo" Waldman
McGraw-Hill, 2009
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Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

The cockpit of a fighter jet is the last place you would expect to find someone with claustrophobia and a fear of heights. Remarkably, Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman managed to keep that little secret from the US Air Force during a stellar career in which he flew 65 combat missions in Serbia and Iraq. Now a professional leadership speaker, the retired pilot uses lessons from his Air Force days to inspire others to strive for success in business and life. Waldman is most compelling when he shares military stories and explains the tools and techniques he used to overcome adversity. He deserves credit for attempting to draw instructive parallels between his military experiences and life in the corporate world, and he sustains the metaphor of a pilot and his “wingmen.” However, Waldman rarely strays from a traditional leadership course, recycling age-old advice about pursuing dreams and building relationships. Though experienced flyers may not need to climb aboard, getAbstract believes that readers with only ground-level exposure to motivational leadership material will find value and inspiration in Waldman’s flight.

Summary

Support for Your Dreams

Success in business – and life – requires hard work, a positive attitude and the ability to overcome adversity. Even those who triumph at the highest levels understand the importance of a good support team. No one can succeed without other people’s help. Even highly skilled fighter pilots would never dream of flying a mission without their trusted “wingmen.” Whether you’re strapped into a cockpit at 20,000 feet or running a sales meeting, you must be able to depend on others to help you navigate choppy air.

While you want the confidence of knowing who has your back in an emergency, of course, you are ultimately responsible for setting your own path. No one can do it for you. Begin by identifying your mission, a dream that makes you passionate about your objectives. Yet motivation alone will not guarantee success. You must accompany drive with action – the willingness to move forward, especially when you’re frightened, insecure or overwhelmed.

Be Prepared

Fighter pilots spend hours reviewing every possible scenario that could arise during a mission. They try to be ready for all kinds of emergencies, and they rehearse the steps they...

About the Author

Rob “Waldo” Waldman, a former fighter pilot, is a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force Reserve and a professional leadership speaker.

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