Commander's Intent

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 relationships.  Through real-world stories from the military and business, you’ll hear how focusing too much on the mission can burn out your team and how focusing only on...

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 G. Novotny to break down how elite leaders make decisions under pressure—and how you can apply the same principles in business and life.  From the cockpit o...

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 national research study behind his new book Redefining High Performance, Ty reveals the surprising data that challenges conventional leadership thinking — includ...

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 one of the most overlooked drivers of success in any organization: structure. Drawing from real-world combat search and rescue missions, leadership at the Pentagon, and...

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 elite organizations use data, technology, and decisive leadership to move faster, think smarter, and stay ahead of the competition. From national security to business stra...

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 six weeks leading a venture-backed defense startup—revealing how to make critical decisions under pressure, build trust fast, and execute at scale in a rapidly evolvin...

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 it. Learn how great leaders think, how strong cultures are built, and why the willingness to figure it out (even when you’re not trained) is what separates average from ex...

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 this timeless principle drives trust, loyalty, accountability, and high performance inside organizations—from the military to the business world. If you wan...

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 stories—from wartime courage to high-stakes decisions in aviation—Derek reveals how integrity shapes trust, culture, and decision-making inside organizations...

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 in the middle of an active firefight to recover his fallen brother… this episode explores what it truly means to make impossible decisions when lives are on the li...

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 from Afghanistan, Derek shares a high-stakes mission where a flawed tactical call led to a missed opportunity to eliminate a high-value target. Instead of staying...

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 operations, this episode explores how understanding risk evolves with responsibility. General Slife shares powerful lessons from his 35-year career, including the lasting...

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 strategist? Drawing from military leadership, business strategy, and real-world examples, they break down each habit—from Be Proactive to Sharpen the Saw —and reframe it through...

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 life-or-death decisions, Derek explains why mental rehearsal, preparation, and clarity of intent matter more than a perfect plan. From military operations to busin...

In this episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks and co-host Rob Powell break down how leaders should think about risk—and why fear-based decision-making quietly destroys momentum, trust, and mission success. Drawing from military aviation, combat operations, business leadership, and everyday life, they explain why risk can never be reduced to zero, why...

Hesitation isn’t harmless—it’s expensive. In this episode of Commander’s Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks breaks down how decision hesitancy is quietly killing momentum, confidence, and results in today’s organizations. Backed by real-world data and battlefield-tested leadership lessons, Derek explains why leaders freeze, how micromanagement and information overload...

In this episode of Commander’s Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks challenges a question many people secretly ask: Why even bother setting goals when most people quit anyway? Derek and co-host Rob break down why goals fail, why vision matters more than resolutions, and how leaders use goals as stepping stones, not finish lines. Through real-world leadership lessons, per...

In this episode of Commander's Intent , retired Air Force Colonel and leadership mentor Derek Oaks breaks down one of the most overlooked but critical leadership skills: creating a shared vision with your team. Drawing from his experience as a fighter squadron commander, Derek explains how understanding individual goals, motivations, and personal aspirations allows leaders to align people wit...

In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and his guests unpack the true significance behind the rescue of Private Jessica Lynch—and why it was never just about military tactics. This wasn’t a mission driven by efficiency, profit, or ROI. It was a statement of values.  Through firsthand accounts from those involved in the planning and execution, this conversation reveals what hap...

In this heartfelt episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and Rob reflect on choosing gratitude even during holiday separation —whether caused by military service, demanding careers, leadership responsibilities, or life circumstances beyond your control. Drawing from years of deployments, missed Christmases, and time spent far from family, they share powerful stories about perspective, service,...

In this episode of Commander’s Intent , Derek Oaks and former senior diplomat Bart Marcois break down how high-stakes leaders make decisions knowing they’ll be second-guessed. Using the 2003 Iraq invasion as a case study, they explore confirmation bias, imperfect intelligence, and the reality that leaders rarely get “good” options—only necessary ones. This conversation challenges listeners to reth...

In this episode, Derek Oaks breaks down the five essential keys to building a successful career —no matter your field. Drawing from his experience as an Air Force squadron commander, Derek reveals why technical competence, communication, leadership opportunities, doing the “required squares,” and understanding how your team fits into the bigger mission are the true drivers of long-term success and...

In this episode, Derek and Rob break down what AI really is, how it functions as a decision-support system, and why leaders must be cautious about trusting it blindly. They share real examples—from aviation to law—showing how AI can boost productivity, but also how it can mislead, hallucinate, and create false confidence. This conversation equips you with a grounded understanding of AI’s strengths...

In this episode, Derek Oaks unpacks one of the most defining traits of great leadership— empathy . Through a deeply personal story about nearly losing his son while preparing for deployment, Derek reveals how empathetic leadership from his commander kept him grounded, capable, and effective during the hardest season of his life. This powerful episode highlights the real difference between narcissi...

This episode dives into the life and legacy of Colonel John Boyd—the fighter pilot and strategist behind the revolutionary OODA Loop. Derek Oaks breaks down Boyd’s unmatched brilliance, his role in shaping modern fighter aircraft like the F-16 and A-10, and how his decision-making model transformed air combat and leadership alike. You’ll learn how Boyd’s Observe-Orient-Decide-Act cycle helps you m...