In this episode, retired Air Force Colonel and fighter pilot Derek Oaks tackles one of the toughest leadership realities: What do you do when your boss makes a bad decision — and you still have to execute?

Through a powerful combat story from Afghanistan, Derek shares a high-stakes mission where a flawed tactical call led to a missed opportunity to eliminate a high-value target. Instead of staying stuck in frustration or blaming the ground commander, he unpacks the deeper leadership lesson: you may not control the plan, but you are still responsible for your performance.

This episode dives into how to maintain clarity under pressure, prepare for worst-case scenarios, adjust quickly when things fall apart, and stay focused on mission success — even when you disagree with leadership. Derek challenges listeners to stop fixating on what others did wrong and start owning their role in the outcome.

If you’ve ever had to support a decision you didn’t agree with, felt stuck executing a flawed strategy, or struggled to stay motivated under imperfect leadership, this episode will sharpen your mindset and strengthen your leadership edge.