Recorded LIVE at ACI Jet in San Luis Obispo, this episode of the Tech Reads podcast features Captain George Dom, a former Blue Angel pilot and author of the book High Trust Leadership: Building High Performance Teams.

The episode covers Dom's 26-year Navy career, his transition to the private sector, and his philosophy on leadership. Dom's impressive military background includes over 1,000 aircraft carrier landings (400 at night), and active combat duty in Libya, Iraq, and the Adriatic Sea serving as airwing commander to lead nine squadrons from the carriers Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.

Dom has experienced firsthand the transformative power of training and preparation “You don’t rise to the occasion, you fall to your training”. The mantra 'Train Hard, Fight Easy' not only allows the US Military to retain its superiority, but is the key to improving productivity, agility, innovation, and resilience within teams and organizations.

Dom emphasizes that his experience in the Navy, especially as a Blue Angel pilot, taught him invaluable leadership lessons. He believes that the most important leadership skill is earning high levels of trust, which leads to increased productivity, agility, innovation, and resilience.

In High Trust Leadership, Dom identifies five key areas that leaders must focus on to earn the unconditional trust of their teams:

Character: Walking the talk and living up to obligations and shared values
Commitment: Being present and supportive during difficult times
Competence: Continuously improving and demonstrating expertise
Connection: Understanding team members' challenges and perspectives
Communication: Transmitting messages clearly and ensuring they are understood

Dom shares specific examples and anecdotes from his time with the Blue Angels to illustrate these principles, including the importance of:

Controlling emotions during high-pressure situations
Debriefing after every flight to analyze performance and identify areas for improvement.
Acknowledging the contributions of all team members, not just the pilots.

Dom also discusses his transition to the private sector, noting that the fundamental leadership principles remain the same despite differences in culture. He reflects on the importance of his father's influence, who instilled in him a philosophy of "service above self." This philosophy, combined with the discipline and teamwork he learned in the Navy, has guided Dom throughout his career.

This episode provides listeners with a unique perspective on leadership, drawing on the extraordinary experiences of a former Blue Angel pilot. Dom’s insights on building trust, fostering connection, and prioritizing service offer valuable lessons for leaders in any field.

Learn more about George Dom at https://hightrustleader.com

Learn more about Softec at https://softec.org