Rob Waldo Waldman
Waldo Leverages His Experience As A Fighter Pilot, Author, Successful Businessman And Entrepreneur To Deliver High Content Programs.
Lt. Col. Rob ‘Waldo’ Waldman is an expert on overcoming adversity, resilience and managing change. A real-life Top Gun, Rob is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker as well as an executive coach.
He has experience leading diverse teams in combat and that is now used to help leaders build high-performance mindsets. He focuses on building “One Team, One Mission” cultures of trust is a perfect way to kick off or close your annual sales meeting or leadership conference.
Rob ‘Waldo’ Waldman overcame massive claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a fighter pilot. He believes that the key to building a culture of trust lies with your wingmen – the men and women in your life who help you to overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success.
Waldo’s objective is to help your leaders experience how high performance teams really function under pressure, create and inspire a high performance culture that focuses on results, and learn to focus on the objective rather than fears.
NEVER FLY SOLO!®
Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Partnerships, and Reach New Heights in Business
Flying solo in business? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff and managers. You have suppliers, vendors, and distributors. And you have colleagues, family members and significant others. Today in our super charged, highly competitive world of constant change, those who build trust and work as a team will dodge the missiles and win. By committing yourself to excellence and placing your trust in those around you, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and break performance barriers during adverse times. By placing your trust in your wingmen and by being a wingman to your customers and team, there is no mission you can’t complete!
Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, The Wingman, overcame a lifelong battle with claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a combat decorated Air Force fighter pilot and highly successful businessman, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. His motto is Winners Never Fly Solo! Through his captivating personal stories and high energy videos, learn how you, like a fighter pilot, can succeed in highly competitive and demanding environments.
Discover how to prepare diligently for every mission; employ loyal wingmen to promote integrity and mutual support; and lead your team with courage, compassion and conviction. Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have wingmen to help you face challenges and change with confidence while maximizing your potential in all aspects of your life.
Waldo’s clients include Aflac, Marriott, Siemens, Honeywell, Hewlett-Packard, Novartis, Verizon Wireless, Panasonic, Philips, Abbott, MassMutual, Home Depot, and dozens of national associations. A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP), and business columnist for The Huffington Post, he is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo (McGraw-Hill) and has been featured on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, The Harvard Business Review, and SUCCESS Magazine. To purchase his book or to hire Waldo for your next corporate or association meeting, please contact one of his agents.
NEVER FLY SOLO!®
Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Partnerships, and Reach New Heights in Business
Keynote Speaker: Lt. Col Rob “Waldo” Waldman, Your Wingman®
MISSION DEBRIEF
Wingman®- A Trusted Partner in Business & Life
Critical Traits of a Successful Wingman:
• Disciplined Preparation
• Has the Courage to take action despite fear
• Willing to Ask for Help
• Focused on Service
Key Wingtips and Phrases
PUSH IT UP!® Add Power and Take Action. 100% Focus, Energy, & Commitment to Excellence.
COMMITMENT: Attitude in Action
WIN: WORK IT NOW!
FEAR: Focus Energy and Accept Responsibility
CHAIR FLY – Visualize and Mission Rehearse every business mission. Plan for contingencies
CHECK SIX – Cross check your vulnerable position and monitor your wingmen’s blind spots.
BREAK RIGHT! Accept and provide feedback to and from your wingmen. Take action.
WALK THE FLIGHT LINE – Appreciate your wingmen and walk in their shoes.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY! The three most important words in life are I NEED HELP!
WINGGIVER – A wingman who lends a wing to help someone to fly or reach new heights in life.
“Lose Sight, Lose Fight!” U.S. Air Force
“The More You Sweat in Peace, the Less You Bleed in Battle!”
“Prepare for the Worst, but Expect the Best.” Waldo
“Think outside the cockpit.” Waldo
“Wingmen Never ‘Wing it’!” Waldo
“Survivors focus on the competition. Winners focus on the customer.” Waldo
“Never sell by the seat of your pants.” Waldo
“Your customer rewards your performance, not your attitude” Waldo
The Four Top Gun Tactics to Becoming a Business Wingman
I. COMMITMENT – “Attitude in Action”
a. Passion, focus & belief in the mission drive success
b. Push it up! = 100% commitment and effort despite the missiles of change and adversity
c. Always be willing to stretch yourself
d. Complacency kills relationships & business
e. Trust: Preparation x Attitude = Confidence to exceed expectations and win sales missions.
f. “You Have the Aircraft” – You must be fully accountable and fly your jet every day
II. MISSION READY – Preparation builds trust
a. Winners never sell by the seat of their pants
b. Prepare relentlessly and create a flight plan before you strap into your jet
i. Know your objective, customer, competition, partners and product
ii. Leverage technology assets
iii. Chair Fly – Mission-rehearse and visualize the ‘what-ifs?”
iv. Plan for contingencies – How will you handle objections/change?
c. Build trust by asking the right questions and listening to your customers & prospects.
d. Use quick reference checklists to assist in handling contingencies.
III. FLY WITH WINGMEN – Your trusted partners in business and life
a. Winners Never Fly Solo. They build trust and collaborate to win!
b. Leaders Lift: Encourage your wingmen and customers in the face of adversity.
c. Check Six: Mutual support = Improved perspective: cross check your most vulnerable position: behind you. Watch for threats and monitor your wingmen.
d. Break Right! Communication is mission critical. Be willing to call out threats to your wingmen and be open to feedback. Take action and trust your co-workers.
e. Walk the Flight Line: Appreciate your wingmen and the unsung heroes behind the scenes who get the job done. Get to know them as people first and employees second
f. Who are your wingmen? Who can you be a wingman for?
i. Customer Service, Inside Sales, Distributor partners, IT, Family, etc.
IV. COURAGE – The ability to take action despite your fear
a. “Fear un-faced leads to doubt, and doubt destroys the winning spirit.”
b. Courage helps break performance barriers.
c. Growth involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking risks
d. Call out “Mayday, Mayday!” – “I need help” is the wingman’s call to action.
i. Who is in your formation that you can turn to for help?
e. Turn your Fear into Focus by focusing on your mission (your purpose.)
i. Who/what are you fighting for? (I.e. customer, family, charity, etc.)
ii. Find meaning in your mission – who are you serving? Who do you love?
f. “Lose Sight, Lose Fight!” – Never lose sight of your customer, your purpose, your wingmen, and what you really care about.
g. Be a “Wing-Giver” – be the type of wingman others come to for help.
h. Give others hope – Let them know with you on their wing, they cannot fail.
“Wingman Leadership”
How to Build a Culture of Courage in Business and Life
• How can you instill a climate of ownership in your organization so that every person feels like they are accountable and responsible for its success?
• What tools can you employ to motivate the members of your organization to focus on the mission rather than themselves?
• How can you help create an organization where change and innovation are not met with fear, but embraced with courage and respected as a tool to beat the competition?The key to building a high performing organization that encourages innovative thinking, loyalty to the mission, effective communication, and a relentless commitment to excellence lies with its leadership. In this high energy, multimedia workshop, Waldo highlights the difference between managing people and leading them to be responsible, empowered and confident wingmen! What results is a more productive and efficient organization with superior morale that can rapidly overcome challenges in a competitive marketplace.Waldo discusses proven leadership principals based on his experience as a graduate of the Air Force Academy, seasoned Air Force officer and combat decorated fighter pilot, and experienced businessman.NEVER FLY SOLO!®
How to Create a Safety Culture of Courage at Work and in Life
Flying solo in safety? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff and managers. You have suppliers, vendors, and distributors. And you have colleagues, family members and significant others. Today in our super charged, highly competitive world of constant change, those who build trust and work as a team will dodge the missiles of adversity and win. By committing yourself to excellence and placing your trust in those around you, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and maintain a safe, high performance culture on the job. By placing trust in your wingmen and by being a wingman to others, there is no mission you can’t safely complete!Lt. Col. (ret.) Rob “Waldo” Waldman, The Wingman, overcame a lifelong battle with claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a combat decorated fighter pilot and highly successful businessman, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. A former Air Force Safety Officer, his motto is Winners Never Fly Solo! Through captivating stories, group interaction, and high-energy videos, your team will learn the fundamentals of operational excellence in highly demanding environments.Discover how to prepare diligently for every mission; employ loyal wingmen to promote integrity and mutual support; and lead your team with courage, compassion and conviction. Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have wingmen to help you face challenges and change with confidence while maximizing safety in all aspects of your life.
• What tools can you employ to motivate the members of your organization to focus on the mission rather than themselves?
• How can you help create an organization where change and innovation are not met with fear, but embraced with courage and respected as a tool to beat the competition?The key to building a high performing organization that encourages innovative thinking, loyalty to the mission, effective communication, and a relentless commitment to excellence lies with its leadership. In this high energy, multimedia workshop, Waldo highlights the difference between managing people and leading them to be responsible, empowered and confident wingmen! What results is a more productive and efficient organization with superior morale that can rapidly overcome challenges in a competitive marketplace.Waldo discusses proven leadership principals based on his experience as a graduate of the Air Force Academy, seasoned Air Force officer and combat decorated fighter pilot, and experienced businessman.NEVER FLY SOLO!®
How to Create a Safety Culture of Courage at Work and in Life
Flying solo in safety? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff and managers. You have suppliers, vendors, and distributors. And you have colleagues, family members and significant others. Today in our super charged, highly competitive world of constant change, those who build trust and work as a team will dodge the missiles of adversity and win. By committing yourself to excellence and placing your trust in those around you, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and maintain a safe, high performance culture on the job. By placing trust in your wingmen and by being a wingman to others, there is no mission you can’t safely complete!Lt. Col. (ret.) Rob “Waldo” Waldman, The Wingman, overcame a lifelong battle with claustrophobia and a fear of heights to become a combat decorated fighter pilot and highly successful businessman, entrepreneur, and New York Times bestselling author. A former Air Force Safety Officer, his motto is Winners Never Fly Solo! Through captivating stories, group interaction, and high-energy videos, your team will learn the fundamentals of operational excellence in highly demanding environments.Discover how to prepare diligently for every mission; employ loyal wingmen to promote integrity and mutual support; and lead your team with courage, compassion and conviction. Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have wingmen to help you face challenges and change with confidence while maximizing safety in all aspects of your life.
Waldo’s safety clients include Kiewit Construction, ExxonMobil, Duke University Hospital, Walsh Construction, Laclede Gas & Electric, Safe Quality Food Council, Bosch, Shell, Southern Company, The Nat’l Fire Protection Agency, and dozens of national associations. A Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) and an inductee into the Speaker Hall of Fame, he is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo (McGraw-Hill) and has been featured on Fox News, CNN, CNBC, The Harvard Business Review, and SUCCESS Magazine.
Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Partnerships, and Reach New Heights in Safety
MISSION OVERVIEW
A Trusted Partner in Business & Life Critical Traits of Successful Leaders:
• Passionate about Excellence
• Prepares relentlessly
• Team Player
• Courageous
• Service focused
Key Wingtips and Phrases
PUSH IT UP!® 100% Focus, Energy, & Commitment
COMMITMENT: “Attitude in Action”
WIN: WORK IT NOW!
FEAR: Focus Energy, Accept Responsibility
CHAIR FLY – Visualize and rehearse every business mission. Plan for contingencies
CHECK SIX – Cross check your vulnerable position and monitor your wingmen’s blind spots.
BREAK RIGHT! Give and receive mission critical feedback.
WALK THE FLIGHT LINE – Appreciate your wingmen and walk in their shoes.
MAYDAY, MAYDAY! The three most important words in life are I NEED HELP!
WINGGIVER – A wingman who lends a wing to help someone overcome an obstacle
“What keeps you up at night isn’t as important as what gets you out of bed.” Waldo
“Lose Sight, Lose Fight!” U.S. Air Force
“The More You Sweat in Peace, the Less You Bleed in Battle!” unknown
“Prepare for the Worst, but Expect the Best.” Waldo
“Think outside the cockpit.” Waldo
“Wingmen Never ‘Wing it’!” Waldo
“Survivors focus on the competition. Winners focus on the customer.” Waldo
“Fear un-faced leads to doubt, and doubt destroys the winning spirit.” Waldo
“Never lead by the seat of your pants.” Waldo
“Your customer rewards your performance, not your attitude.” Waldo
The Four Commitments to Becoming a Safety Wingman
I. COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE
a. Passion, focus & belief in the mission drive success
b. Push it up! = 100% commitment and effort despite the
missiles of change and adversity
c. Be willing to stretch yourself. Safety starts with you!
d. Complacency kills relationships, reputation & lives
e. Lead by example…You set the tone
f. “I Have the Aircraft” – Be fully accountable for results
II. COMMITMENT TO THE MISSION
a. Skills and training count – Be Mission Ready!
b. Winners never lead by the seat of their pants
c. Prepare relentlessly and create a safety flight plan before you strap into your jet
i. Know your equipment, rules, regulations, and mishap procedures
ii. Leverage technology and corporate assets
iii. Chair Fly – Mission-rehearse and visualize the safety ‘what-ifs?”
iv. Plan for contingencies – How will you handle accidents, manning problems, etc.?
d. Build trust by asking the right questions and listening to your teammates and partners.
e. Use quick reference checklists to assist in handling contingencies.
III. COMMITMENT TO THE TEAM
a. Winners Never Fly Solo – they build trust through mutual support and collaboration.
b. Leaders Lift: Encourage your wingmen and customers in the face of adversity.
c. Check Six: Mutual support = Improved perspective: cross check your most vulnerable
position: behind you. Watch for safety threats and monitor your wingmen.
d. Break Right! Communication is mission critical. Be willing to call out threats to your
wingmen and be open to feedback. Take action and trust your co-workers.
e. Mission Debrief – remove rank and name tags and share the brutal truth.
f. Walk the Flight Line: Appreciate the unsung heroes behind the scenes who help you get
the job done safely. Get to know them as people first and employees second.
g. Who are your safety wingmen? Who can you be a wingman for?
IV. COMMITMENT TO COURAGE
a. Great leaders take action despite their fear and ultimately “do the right thing.”
b. Courage helps break performance barriers.
c. Growth involves stepping outside of your comfort zone and to be willing to say the three
most important words in safety – “I need help.”
d. Fear turns into courage when you focus on your mission…your purpose.
i. Who/what are you fighting for? (I.e. clients, co-workers, family, charity, etc.)
ii. Find meaning in your mission – who are you serving? Who do you love?
e. “Lose Sight, Lose Fight!” – Never lose sight of your customer, your purpose, your
wingmen, and what you really care about.
f. Be a “Wing-Giver” – the type of wingman others come to for help.
g. “Love Lifts, Fear Drags” – Let others know with you on their wing, they will not fail.
“Waldo’s presentation was inspirational and packed full of relevant business take-aways. His content was heartfelt and the audience never drifted. He didn’t just talk about being a wingman, he showed it.”
Jeff Duckworth, Exec VP of Sales, John Hancock Funds
“Waldo has a great ability to translate his military experience into key sales and leadership principles that can apply to each of us. His story lines around teamwork, trust, preparation, and execution really resonated with our organization. We’ll continue to ‘Push it up!’ here at HP!”
Chris Ogburn, Director, Hewlett-Packard Personal Systems Group
“This was our first ever sales conference and Waldo delivered! His preparation and care in understanding our business challenges made his message extremely relevant. He’s an outstanding storyteller…funny and authentic.”
Linda Hodo, VP of Corp Development, Zurich Insurance
“You shattered any stereotype of an egocentric fighter pilot our audience may have had. Our franchisees met a personable guy, willing to share the peaks and valleys of his life.”
Mike Bidwell, COO, The Dwyer Group Franchise Mgmt Company
“Waldo, your ability to speak our language, our priorities, and our fears had the owners and management teams astounded. Your passion and enthusiasm left me speechless.”
Anja Rogers, Sr. Vice President, Senior Star Living
“Exciting, Challenging, Emotional, Entertaining and Thought-Provoking are the first words that come to mind when describing your performance Waldo. The experience was simply ‘worth every penny,’ and has given us our battle cry for 2008…”One Team, One Goal!”
Jonathan O’Neill, Managing Director of Sales, Hilton Grand Vacations
“Waldo, your program resulted in a record breaking week for my team! Thank you for investing in the AFLAC process and dedicating yourself to learning our business.”
Randy Bartlein, AFLAC State Sales Coordinator
Your “One Team, One Mission” philosophy of trusting your wingmen and becoming Mission Ready totally aligned with our teamwork goal.”
Tim Krzyzanowski, VP Sales, Philips Medical Systems
Honeywell Corp.
Panasonic
New York Life Insurance
LandAmerica Financial
Amtrust Mortgage
UPS
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