Brian Fitzpatrick’s Post

Navy Chiefs have a reputation for being tough and even scary sometimes. This no doubt owes to the storied reputations earned by past heroes who wore the anchor like Dick Turpin (MOH) and John Finn (MOH). Upon receiving my own set of anchors, I, like every other accepted and August Chief, took this reputation to heart with aims of upholding it. In the beginning of my time as a khaki and interactions with Sailors I guarded my “tough” reputation. Admittedly, at first I was a little rough around the edges when it came to interacting with my troops and this didn’t always lead to the best working relationship. As a leader, I’ve made a lot of Sailors cry, with the most recent episode being a mere two weeks ago: But probably not in the way you’re thinking. I’ve often done this by by asking one simple, but very powerful question. In the midst of a bunch of pushback concerning very basic expectations for one of our team members, which was directed toward myself and my department head, I waited for a pause in the conversation. I was quietly arming a tool I’d learn to carry with me daily in my evolution of “toughness” as a Navy Chief. I stumbled upon this tool in previous encounters when I’d failed to help team members by being more task focused than people focused. I explained that the expectations weren’t new, nor were they anything that should come as a surprise to a Sailor of the member’s rank. The Sailor agreed and in this moment, I fired the question: “Now that being said and agreed to, My next question is : ARE YOU OK?” Instantly the Sailor burst into tears and was escorted by myself and another leader to a private area where we could hear their concerns and issues that they were dealing with. Assuming it would be a burden on leadership, the member had chosen to keep the issues to themself vice communicate to us. About an hour of reassurances and resources later, the teammate was in a better position and is working presently to get in a better place. A part of leadership is trusting your team. I think there’s a very fundamental problem that exists, if you have team members pushing back on things they should clearly know based on their seniority & experience in the org. This should be a red flag to a leader that either: something else is going on with the teammate beneath the surface or as a leader I haven’t cultivated an environment where members know & abide by the expectations. In time I have learned that you can be tough, but also empathetic and relatable. I’ve learned that leadership is a balancing act with different approaches required at different times. The same way a car needs both a gas pedal and a brake, a leader with only one or the other is doomed to eventually fail. I’ve learned that there are layers to “warrior toughness”. >There’s a time for having a “tough” and resilient demeanor. And >> there’s also having the “tough” conversations and peeling back problems to thoroughly help your team.

https://lnkd.in/giSq6xha Here is the full video of the magical moments shared with the legend Air Marshal Harish Masand Sir at AMDwA Summit!

Watch our new episode of Bits `n Chats with my friend Ivaylo Ivanov which is live now. We will be talking about what is the challenge to be a CEO, Innovator, an army jet fighter pilot and some first hand information about NEXO with our guest Dian D. https://lnkd.in/dbu2T5mA

In aviation, there are countless checklists that must be used to ensure that nothing falls through the crack. Like life in general, it is up to each of us to perform similar tasks, especially in our own lives. In this most recent edition of JAKE's Blog, Mr. King reflects on his personal "Heavy Check": https://bit.ly/4aet6Uj #servantleadership

Our March all time famous aviators! a look at some of the world's famous aviators. 🛩 Did we leave any of your favorite? Comment your all time aviator to have them on monthly top ten all time famous aviators. #aviators #famous #ngap #alltimefavorite

Interesting read with several points I really like. Best of luck to the new CNO!

Leveraging #Fighter_Pilots experiences on handling #time_sensitive complex #decision_making dilemmas !! #Real_time_decision_making, specially when the consequences involve your own life or can have a defining impact on your #national_interests, isn't easy. Such decisions are a resultant of all the experience and wisdom that one acquires in a lifetime applied on the complex/intertwined operational issues that you are dealing with. The #Fighter_Pilot, during combat conditions, is the ultimate executor of the #National_Will, deep inside enemy territory. Operating in an intense threat environment (alone/or as a team), the consequences of his actions can have a direct impact on the course of a war/tactical conditions. In today's world, there is high level of volatility in the #Business_world. The #window_of_opportunity are #time_sensitive. There is #zero_appetite for errors/#collateral_damage. #Mission_success is highly dependent on meticulous/professional #Mission_Execution. This is where our #entrepreneurs and #executives, when dealing with real-life challenges of corporate world, can apply experiences of #Fighter_Pilots. Hear Late Wing Commander Vinod Nebb VirCharka** & Bar, a real-life war-hero, on his real experiences on split second decision decision making during combat conditions. He was a brave soldier of India, who shot down Pakistani aircraft, both in 1965 & 1971 Wars. For this gallant actions, he had been awarded VrC twice (one each for both wars). Sadly, we lost him yesterday (30 Jan 2024). I am sharing his #video_link, which I am sure will remind us of this great warrior, when we apply his experiences in dealing with complex decision dilemmas. Jai Hind!!! #fighterjet #fighterpilots #IndianAirForce #IAF Lt Gen Ashok Bhim Shivane,PVSM,AVSM,VSM(Retd)AMUL KAPOOR Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha (retd) Anil Khosla Lt General Shokin Chauhan, PVSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, PhD Lt Gen Dr SP Kochhar Air Marshal P K Roy Air Vice Marshal Surya Narayana Murti VSM (Retd) Air Vice Marshal SK Dey, AVSM VSM (Retd) Veteran Air Vice Marshal Sudhanshu Saxena VSM Ravinder (Ravi) Singh

🌟 #ThrowbackThursday 🌟 Dive into the archives with us today as we revisit an inspiring journey! 🛩️✨ Our Project Guru, Dave Lozinger, shares his incredible transition from Navy fighter pilot to Superstar Project Manager in this must-read article. 🚀 Gain insights and motivation from his remarkable story! Get the link in the comments below ! 👇 👇 #ProjectManagement #Inspiration #TBT

“马看到什么, 是由人决定的.”  “What the horse sees is determined by the rider.” In the movie 封神 (Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms), an attacking army was blocked by the defender’s wall of fire. The attacking soldier’s cavalry told their commander that the fire was scaring their horses and preventing a decisive charge. The commander countered his men with 👆 this and immediately instructed that the horses be blindfolded. The cavalry eventually charged through the wall of fire to defeat the defenders. 🏇🏻 Indeed, what a horse sees, from a “lower” position, is determined by the rider in the “higher” position. The rider determines the direction and path of travel and controls what a horse gets to see. The rider can also totally blindfold the horse and controls what it doesn’t see. 👁 Often what we see is what those in control wants us to see. What we know is what they want us to know. We are all led by a “rider”. 🔍 The “rider” can be a metaphorical one. The lens we view the world with can be “riding” us. With that awareness, it is up to us to challenge what we see. Or better yet, get another rider. Or several. Wait a minute, or are you the rider? Image: From the Chinese movie 封神 (Creation of the Gods I: Kingdom of Storms) #personaldevelopment #bestadvice #leadership #management #coaching

That’s how we do it!