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Commander's Intent
Commander's Intent with Derek Oaks
When the pressure’s on, can you make the call? Commander's Intent helps leaders at every level make confident, timely decisions that drive real results. Hosted by Colonel (Ret.) Derek Oaks, former Air Force fighter pilot and leadership mentor, this podcast blends stories from combat and business to teach you how to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. Learn to define your mission, empower your team, and execute with confidence.
Episodes
39 episodes
The Decision-Making Principles That Made America Different
What makes America truly exceptional, and what can today's leaders learn from the principles that shaped a nation?In this thought-provoking episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks and Rob explore the origins o...
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Gaming, Strategy, and the Future of Leadership with Gayle Dickie
What if the world's greatest leadership training ground isn't found in the boardroom but inside the gaming industry?In this fascinating episode of Commander's Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with global media strategist and gaming industry ...
The Power of Human Connection with Jason Wright
What if one simple conversation could change someone's life?In this inspiring episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks sits down with bestselling author Jason Wright to explore the profound impact of human conn...
Why Trust Matters More Than Talent with David Bickel
What happens when trust is the difference between success and failure, or even life and death?In this episode of Commander's Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with retired Air Force JTAC and business leader David Bickel to explore why trust i...
The Leadership Secret Fighter Pilots Call "Motherhood"
What if the key to extraordinary leadership isn't found in the big decisions, but in the small things you do every day?In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks shares a heartfelt tribute to his mother a...
How to Lead Inside a Large Organization
What does it take to lead effectively when you're caught between executive decisions and the needs of your team? In this episode of Commander's Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with leadership consultant, author, and former financial ex...
The Most Powerful Leaders Make People Feel Seen
In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks sits down with keynote speaker, consultant, and ICU Living founder Julie De Jesus for a powerful conversation about leadership, mental health, trust, and the human need...
How to Live With Gratitude When Life Gives You a Second Chance
Fifty-eight years ago, a 23-year-old soldier named Larry Weist was stacked with the bodies of the dead after a helicopter was shot out of the Vietnam sky. Then someone saw his hand move. In this episode of Commander's Intent, retire...
How High Performers Stay Focused When Everything Feels Urgent
In this episode, Derek Oaks shares powerful lessons from flying combat missions, training fighter pilots, and navigating high-pressure environments where one wrong decision can change everything. Through real stories from the cockpit and everyd...
Mission First or People First? The Leadership Truth No One Tells You
Mission first… or people first? What if that’s the wrong question entirely?In this episode, Derek Oaks dives into one of the most debated topics in leadership and challenges the idea that you have to choose between results and relationsh...
How Robert G. Novotny Makes High-Stakes Decisions: Fighter Pilot Leadership Secrets
Have you ever hesitated in a critical moment—knowing a decision had to be made, but unsure if it was the right one? In this high-impact episode of Commander’s Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with retired Air Force General and fighter pilot Robert ...
From Fighter Squadrons to Ninja Warriors: What High Performance Really Looks Like
In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks sits down with entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author Ty Bennett to unpack what truly drives high performance in teams and individuals.Drawing from a...
Structure vs. Chaos: The Leadership Framework That Determines Success with Jerry Cook
What separates high-performing teams from complete chaos—and why do even experienced leaders get it wrong? In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with retired Colonel Jerry “Chewy” Cook to break down on...
From Data to Dominance: How Elite Leaders Make Game-Changing Calls
What separates great leaders from everyone else isn’t just experience—it’s how they think and act when the pressure is on. In this episode of Commander’s Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with Madeline Hart of Palantir to unpack how elit...
Why Most Companies Fail at Scale (And How This CEO Is Fixing It)
What does it really take to step into a CEO role and lead when the stakes are high, and the answers aren’t clear? In this episode, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mike Benitez, current CEO of Purple Rhombus, shares powerful insights from his first ...
Why Great Leaders Step Outside Their Role
What if the biggest thing holding you back… is thinking “that’s not my job”?In this episode, we dive into the real difference between leaders and employees—and why growth happens when you step beyond your role, not stay inside i...
The Golden Rule of Leadership: Why Great Teams Put People First
In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks explores how the Golden Rule—treating others the way you want to be treated—creates stronger leaders and more powerful teams.Derek explains why...
Why Integrity Is the Foundation of Great Leadership
In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks explores the true meaning of integrity in leadership—and why it becomes most important when the pressure is highest.Through powerful real-life ...
Never Leave Them Behind: Leadership in the Face of Loss
In this episode, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks, special operations veteran Dan Laguna shares raw, unforgettable stories of leadership under fire.From choosing between saving a wounded soldier or a dying child in Iraq… to landing i...
You Don’t Control the Plan — But You Own the Outcome
In this episode, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks tackles one of the toughest leadership realities: What do you do when your boss makes a bad decision — and you still have to execute?Through a powerful combat story ...
Risk Is Not Certainty: How Leaders Decide What’s Worth It
In this episode, Derek Oaks sits down with retired Air Force General Jim Slife to answer a critical leadership question: Who actually owns risk? From young pilots who believe they’re bulletproof to senior leaders managing global ope...
From Fighter Pilot to Strategist: Applying Covey’s 7 Habits to Leadership
In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks and Rob Powell explore a powerful question: Can Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People actually make you a better strat...
What’s the Point of a Plan? Why Planning Still Wins When Everything Falls Apart
In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks breaks down a hard leadership truth: plans rarely survive first contact—but planning is still essential.Drawing from real combat missions and l...