Waldo Waldman

Leadership Expert and Former Air Force Fighter Pilot
Waldon Waldman Speaker
  • Leadership expert who can call on life experiences to show the value of commitment, adaptation, and building relationships
  • Interactive, high-energy speaker who bridges the gap between the highly competitive world of the fighter pilot and the challenges of business
  • Real world sales experience, MBA, New York Times & Wall Street Journal best-selling author, member of the Speaker Hall of Fame.

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Decorated Fighter Pilot. New York Times Bestselling Author. Hall of Fame Speaker.

Known as “The Wingman,” Lt Col (ret.) Waldo Waldman is the author of National Bestseller Never Fly Solo. He helps organizations build collaborative cultures of trust, courage and commitment in order to adapt to change, break performance barriers, and overcome adversity.

In addition to his time in the military, Waldo has real world corporate sales experience and is an expert on change management and resilience – having overcome a fear of heights and claustrophobia to achieve his dream of becoming a fighter pilot.

His compelling stories and tactics on overcoming adversity, performing under pressure and servant-based leadership are extremely relevant to organizations who are going through disruptive change and seeking to build a “One Team, One Mission” culture of excellence and trust.

Waldo is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and also holds an MBA with a focus on Organizational Behavior. He is an inductee into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, and is the founder of The Wingman Foundation whose mission is to build funds and awareness for veterans and their families in need. He has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Inc. Magazine, and The Harvard Business Review, and his clients include Verizon, American Express, GE, The Denver Broncos, ExxonMobil, New York Life, Siemens, Merck, and dozens of national associations.

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Speaker Video

Waldo Waldman 2023: Never Fly Solo Demo Video

Waldo Waldman 2023: How To Adapt To Change, Build Courage and Overcome Adversity

Waldo Waldman 2023: Why Training and Preparation are Critical to Building Trust

Waldo Waldman: The Importance of the Team

Waldo Waldman: Your Wingman

Waldo Waldman: Virtual Demo 2020

NEVER FLY SOLO!

Flying solo? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff. You have managers. You have suppliers, vendors, and distributors. And you have colleagues, family members and significant others. By 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 others, there is no mission you can't complete!

By building trust in your partners, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success. When you have wingmen, there is no mission you can’t complete!

Through captivating stories, business lessons, and real-world video, Waldo will take your team on an unforgettable journey of high performance and excellence in extremely competitive and demanding environments.

Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have Wingmen to help you face challenges and change with courage while maximizing potential in all aspects of life.

Key Takeaways:

  • Promote Open Communication, Integrity, and Trust

  • Develop a Collaborative Culture of Teamwork and Mutual Support

  • Leverage Preparation to Build Confidence

  • Transform Relationships into Revenue Convert Fear into Action

  • Lead with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion

Wingman Leadership®

The key to building a high-performing organization that encourages innovative thinking, adaptability to change, effective communication, and a commitment to excellence lies with its leadership.

In this high-energy program, Waldo highlights the difference between managing others and leading them to be responsible, empowered and confident wingmen. Waldo will discuss proven leadership principals based on his experience as an AF Academy graduate, decorated fighter pilot, and seasoned businessman.

The program will:

  • Instill a “One Team-One Mission” culture of team ownership so that every leader feels fully accountable for the success of the mission.

  • Share tools to motivate leaders and staff to collaborate more effectively, adapt to change, and face adversity and conflict with courage.

  • Provide tools for personal and professional growth that will give additional leverage for building high-performance teams.

Wingman Safety®

In the world of the fighter pilot, complacency kills. A failure to adhere to standards, maintain discipline and follow procedures not only can cause aircraft mishaps, but it can also cost lives.

The same holds true on the factory floor or a dangerous worksite. Employees who lack attention to detail, focus, and discipline are prone to make mistakes that can impact safety, productivity, operational excellence…and lives.

Waldo will share proven leadership principals based on his experience as an Air Force safety officer and as a combat flight lead where his wingmen’s lives were on the line.

Following his program, the audience will learn peak performance leadership and safety enhancing tools based on three key concepts:

  • Commitment to Excellence – Everyone must know exactly what and who they are fighting for. They should emulate excellence on and off the job, and understand that their role is essential to safety, morale, and culture.

  • Values Based Culture – Integrity, accountability, mutual respect, and teamwork must serve as the foundation for all relationships.

  • Effective Communication – Leaders listen intently and communicate their safety vision with passion. They promote open two-way communication.

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