As an Air Force fighter pilot turned leadership coach and organizational dynamics expert, I help leaders and teams survive and thrive in challenging times. I do this by being a wingman for my clients, as part of my commitment to what I call, “Wingman Life.”
We all saw Wingman Life in action between Maverick and Iceman – not in Top Gun 1, but in Top Gun 2, after Maverick had matured a bit. But Wingman Life isn’t just for fighter pilots. It’s for any of us who want to be connected in meaningful, mutually supportive ways to our families, friends, neighbors, and colleagues – so we can all survive and thrive together.
Here’s some fighter pilot lingo describing how I lived Wingman Life when I was flying F-15E Strike Eagles, along with translations for how we can all live Wingman Life today outside the cockpit:
1. “Fly the briefed position” – Be where we’re expected to be
2. “Be on frequency” – Listen to others carefully and with interest
3. “Clear, concise, correct” – Add value when we speak
4. “Skulls up and eyes out” – Be present and pay attention
5. “Stay ahead of the jet” – Anticipate next steps
6. “Check six” – Watch for threats
7. “Execute the contract” – Do our jobs
8. “Call it early” – Own our mistakes
If you and your teammates are already doing all this for one another, I’d love to hear your secrets of success.
If you sense that you have room for improvement, I’d be honored to work with you – to help you survive and thrive, regardless of the challenges you face.
No fighter jets or g-suits required.
Wingman Executive Coaching 
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