Jake DeRuyter, a 2015 Air Force Academy graduate, shares a compelling leadership journey marked by unexpected challenges and resilient adaptation. ----more---- SUMMARY Initially aspiring to be a pilot, Jake faced a critical moment when back surgery disqualified him from his dream career, forcing him to quickly choose a new Air Force Specialty Code within just one hour. Despite the uncertainty, he remained calm and strategic, ultimately transitioning to intelligence and then to an ROTC instructor role. His leadership philosophy emerged from these experiences: staying flexible, maintaining a strong network, and focusing on developing others rather than just personal advancement. SHARE THIS EPISODE LINKEDIN | FACEBOOK JAKE'S LEADERSHIP TAKEAWAYS - Always be willing to adapt and stay resilient when unexpected challenges arise, like Jake did when he couldn't become a pilot and had to quickly choose a new career path. - Build and maintain a strong network of connections, as these relationships can help you navigate career transitions and provide support. - Focus on developing the people around you, not just your own career advancement. A great leader lifts up their team and helps others grow. - Stay proactive in reaching out to people, checking in, and genuinely listening to their stories and experiences. - Be willing to take risks on talented individuals, especially those from similar backgrounds or networks, like how Jake was given an opportunity by fellow graduates. - Maintain a competitive spirit and drive, but channel it into continuous self-improvement and supporting others. - Give back to your community, whether through mentoring, volunteering, or leading local chapters and organizations. - Be prepared to put in consistent daily effort, understanding that success comes from habits and persistent hard work. - Stay open to unexpected opportunities and be willing to pivot when your initial career path doesn't work out. - Prioritize relationships and connections over individual achievements, recognizing that your success is often measured by the people you've helped develop. JAKE'S TOP 5 LEADERSHIP LESSONS Here are the 5 best leadership lessons from Jake DeRuyter's interview: Build Others Up, Not Just Yourself Jake emphasized that true leadership is about developing the people around you. As he said, "Don't just worry about your own career and life" - great leaders are judged by the success of those they mentor and support. Stay Adaptable and Resilient When Jake's pilot career was unexpectedly derailed, he demonstrated the critical leadership skill of staying calm under pressure and quickly pivoting. He chose to focus on what he could control rather than getting stuck on what he couldn't change. Maintain Genuine Connections Jake consistently stressed the importance of reaching out, checking in with people, and truly listening. He makes time to connect with classmates, colleagues, and fellow graduates, understanding that relationships are the foundation of effective leadership. Take Calculated Risks and Support Others Jake's career trajectory shows the importance of being willing to take risks - both for yourself and for others. He was given a chance by fellow graduates and now pays it forward by helping other transitioning military members. Give Back Consistently Leadership isn't just about personal achievement, but about contributing to your community. Jake exemplifies this through his role as chapter president, mentoring cadets, and always being available to help fellow Air Force Academy graduates. EPISODE CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction to Leadership Journeys 05:31 Navigating Life's Crossroads 12:01 The Role of Mentorship and Family 17:31 Transitioning from Military to Civilian Life 20:48 Motivation and Personal Drive 22:02 The Daily Grind: A Shift in Focus 24:31 Building Community: Chapter Leadership 27:29 Challenges of Leadership and Engagement 29:00 Giving Back: The Importance of Community 31:12 Leadership Lessons: Daily Practices 32:53 Advice for Aspiring Leaders 34:25 Reflections on Involvement and Connection 36:40 Final Thoughts and Gratitude ABOUT JAKE BIO As a 2015 graduate of the United States Air Force Academy, Jake spent six years on active duty serving as an Intel Officer and ROTC Instructor. Having left the service, he now am an Account Executive on the Air Force team at IMPRES Technology Solutions providing active duty units with the tech they need to accomplish the mission. - Copy courtesy of Jake DeRuyter and LinkedIn CONNECT WITH JAKE LINKEDIN | ASSOCIATION OF GRADUATES - CENTRAL TEXAS CHAPTER ALL PAST LBL EPISODES | ALL LBLPN PRODUCTIONS AVAILABLE ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS FULL TRANSCRIPT SPEAKERS GUEST, JAKE DERUYTER ’15 | HOST, LT. COL. (RET.) NAVIERE WALKEWICZ ’99 Naviere Walkewicz 00:00 Welcome to Long Blue Leadership, the podcast where we share insights on leadership ...
