Commander's Intent

Derek Oaks
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Commander's Intent with Derek Oaks When the pressure’s on, can you make the call? Commander's Intent helps leaders at every level make confident, timely decisions that drive real results. Hosted by Colonel (Ret.) Derek Oaks, former Air Force fighter pilot and leadership mentor, this podcast blends stories from combat and business to teach you how to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. Learn to define your mission, empower your team, and execute with confidence. 

  1. 1 DAY AGO

    From Fighter Squadrons to Ninja Warriors: What High Performance Really Looks Like

    In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks sits down with entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author Ty Bennett to unpack what truly drives high performance in teams and individuals. Drawing from a national research study behind his new book Redefining High Performance, Ty reveals the surprising data that challenges conventional leadership thinking — including why 54% of people would take less money to work in an environment that helps them perform better, and why fear of failure is the number one barrier holding people back. Through stories from fighter squadrons, special operations, entrepreneurship, and even the world of American Ninja Warrior, this conversation explores the three leadership mindsets that create elite performance: confident curiosity, relaxed intensity, and empathic drive. You’ll also hear why micromanagement destroys trust and performance, how purpose fuels performance more than pay, the performance gap between what people know and what they actually do, and how to give feedback that builds people instead of breaking them. If you lead high achievers, manage teams, or want to unlock your own next level of performance, this episode delivers research-backed insights and real-world leadership wisdom you can apply immediately. This is a masterclass in building teams that thrive under pressure, perform without burnout, and achieve at elite levels in business, the military, sports, and life. Learn more about Ty Bennett and his work here: https://tybennett.com/about-ty/

    31 min

  2. 16 APR

    Structure vs. Chaos: The Leadership Framework That Determines Success with Jerry Cook

    What separates high-performing teams from complete chaos—and why do even experienced leaders get it wrong?  In this powerful episode of Commander’s Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with retired Colonel Jerry “Chewy” Cook to break down one of the most overlooked drivers of success in any organization: structure. Drawing from real-world combat search and rescue missions, leadership at the Pentagon, and executive experience in the civilian world, they reveal how misalignment between authority, responsibility, accountability, and resources quietly destroys performance.  You’ll discover why unclear roles create frustration, slow decision-making, and increase risk—and how elite military teams operate with clarity, trust, and precision even in life-or-death situations. This episode goes beyond theory, diving into real examples of high-stakes missions where leadership, structure, and flexibility determined success or failure. Whether you’re leading a business, scaling a team, or navigating complex decisions, you’ll learn how to create alignment, empower your people, and execute with confidence under pressure. If you’ve ever felt stuck in confusion, overwhelmed by responsibility without authority, or frustrated by broken systems—this episode will completely change how you think about leadership, decision-making, and building teams that actually perform.

    43 min

  3. 9 APR

    From Data to Dominance: How Elite Leaders Make Game-Changing Calls

    What separates great leaders from everyone else isn’t just experience—it’s how they think and act when the pressure is on.  In this episode of Commander’s Intent, Derek Oaks sits down with Madeline Hart of Palantir to unpack how elite organizations use data, technology, and decisive leadership to move faster, think smarter, and stay ahead of the competition. From national security to business strategy, this conversation reveals why most systems fail, how true innovators break the rules, and what it really takes to win in high-stakes environments. If you’ve ever hesitated in a critical moment or wondered how top performers consistently make the right call—this episode will shift how you lead, decide, and execute forever.

    42 min

  4. 2 APR

    Why Most Companies Fail at Scale (And How This CEO Is Fixing It)

    What does it really take to step into a CEO role and lead when the stakes are high, and the answers aren’t clear?  In this episode, Lt. Col. (Ret.) Mike Benitez, current CEO of Purple Rhombus, shares powerful insights from his first six weeks leading a venture-backed defense startup—revealing how to make critical decisions under pressure, build trust fast, and execute at scale in a rapidly evolving world. From fighter pilot discipline to redefining innovation in defense, this conversation will challenge how you think about leadership, risk, and action. If you want a real-world look at leading when it matters most, this is a must-listen—and be sure to check out Purple Rhombus to learn more about the mission and innovation behind the company.

    55 min

  5. 26 MAR

    Why Great Leaders Step Outside Their Role

    What if the biggest thing holding you back… is thinking “that’s not my job”? In this episode, we dive into the real difference between leaders and employees—and why growth happens when you step beyond your role, not stay inside it. Learn how great leaders think, how strong cultures are built, and why the willingness to figure it out (even when you’re not trained) is what separates average from exceptional. If you want to grow faster, lead better, and unlock your full potential, this episode will challenge how you think about work forever.

    35 min

  6. 19 MAR

    The Golden Rule of Leadership: Why Great Teams Put People First

    In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks explores how the Golden Rule—treating others the way you want to be treated—creates stronger leaders and more powerful teams. Derek explains why this timeless principle drives trust, loyalty, accountability, and high performance inside organizations—from the military to the business world. If you want to build a culture where people have each other’s backs, perform at their best, and stay committed to the mission, this episode will show you why the Golden Rule is one of the most powerful leadership principles you can apply.

    11 min

  7. 12 MAR

    Why Integrity Is the Foundation of Great Leadership

    In this episode of Commander's Intent, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks explores the true meaning of integrity in leadership—and why it becomes most important when the pressure is highest. Through powerful real-life stories—from wartime courage to high-stakes decisions in aviation—Derek reveals how integrity shapes trust, culture, and decision-making inside organizations. If you want to become a leader people truly trust, this episode will challenge you to ask one critical question: Do you act with integrity when no one is watching?

    19 min

  8. 5 MAR

    Never Leave Them Behind: Leadership in the Face of Loss

    In this episode, retired Air Force Colonel Derek Oaks, special operations veteran Dan Laguna shares raw, unforgettable stories of leadership under fire. From choosing between saving a wounded soldier or a dying child in Iraq… to landing in the middle of an active firefight to recover his fallen brother… this episode explores what it truly means to make impossible decisions when lives are on the line. Dan opens up about combat leadership, moral courage, faith, brotherhood, and the weight of command. The conversation goes beyond the battlefield, drawing powerful parallels to business, family, and everyday leadership — where tough calls still carry real consequences. This episode is about clarity in chaos, commitment to mission, and living with the decisions you make when there is no perfect answer — only responsibility. For more on Dan Laguna’s career and work: Daniel Laguna bio at STARS: https://stars.ambulance.org/stars/daniel-laguna/Daniel Laguna profile at Global Medical Response: https://www.globalmedicalresponse.com/people/military/meet-our-veterans/daniel-dan-laguna And don’t miss Dan’s book, You Have to Live with It: Hard Decisions in Special Operations — a deep dive into the leadership decisions that define us: https://www.amazon.com/You-Have-Live-Hard-Operations/dp/1449081231 This episode is about making tough calls with purpose, leading with your values intact, and living with the decisions that shape the people you lead — even when there’s no perfect answer.

    47 min
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About

Commander's Intent with Derek Oaks When the pressure’s on, can you make the call? Commander's Intent helps leaders at every level make confident, timely decisions that drive real results. Hosted by Colonel (Ret.) Derek Oaks, former Air Force fighter pilot and leadership mentor, this podcast blends stories from combat and business to teach you how to lead with clarity, courage, and purpose. Learn to define your mission, empower your team, and execute with confidence. 

Information

  • Creator
    Derek Oaks
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Commander's Intent
  • Show Website
    Commander's Intent
  • Provider

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