Leadership Lessons Learned in Combat

Becoming better leaders is something all of us are striving to become. And, there’s no better place to learn how to be an effective leader than the battlefield of Ramadi, Iraq during one of the most dangerous times during the Iraq War.

My guest today is Dave Berke, an instructor with Echelon Front and retired Marine Corps officer and fighter pilot. Today, we talk about taking those leadership lessons and applying them in civilian life, the importance of finding purposeful work, how to keep your children from going soft, delegating roles and responsibilities, and overcoming the obstacles of reality.

“You want to find a way that what you do matters, that you’re making an impact, that what you’re doing has meaning.” Tweet That— Dave Berke

Dave Berke

My guest today is Dave Berke.

He is a retired Marine Corps officer, fighter pilot, and ground combat leader. He spent three years as an instructor at TOPGUN and later went on to support task unit bruiser on the ground in Ramadi.

He’s flown the F-16, F-18, F-22, and F-35 but gave that up to serve in multiple combat missions in some of the most dangerous cities in Iraq.

He’s since gone on to become a leadership instructor with Echelon Front on the subject of leadership, decision making, risk mitigation, and creating winning teams.

“Our brains are wired to do something that has commitment and meaning.” Tweet That— Dave Berke

Show Highlights

The importance of finding a purposeful mission
Overcoming the obstacles of reality
Understanding that there are no shortcuts in life
How air combat differs from ground combat
What is the “best of combat”
How to combat loss
How to create a meaningful life
The purpose of warriors
How to keep kids from going soft
Why you should be careful of solving people’s problems
Setting realistic expectations for yourself and others
Delegating roles and responsibilities
When getting too close to your team hinders performance
Why you need to understand that conflict is not a bad thing

“There are no shortcuts. There’s the path, the commitment to that path, and moving down it every single day.” Tweet That— Dave Berke

The Iron Council

Men, one of the biggest reasons so many men have joined the Iron Council is the accountability and proximity to other men who are accomplishing big things in their relationships, business, and life.

So many men have bought into the lone wolf thing for so long. I did for a while and realized that because I wasn’t willing to band with other men, I was limiting myself from perspectives and ideas that I didn’t previously have access to. I found myself feeling like there was more to life but not really knowing what it was.

If that’s been nagging at you, I’d have you consider that you aren’t likely to find the answers you’re looking for. I had to create what I was looking for. All you have to do is tap into it – the 430+ brothers who have raised their hands and said, “I want more out of my life.”

If this sounds like you, learn more and lock in your seat at www.orderofman.com/ironcouncil.

“At the end of the day, what pays off is working hard. What pays off is being disciplined. What pays off is grinding.” Tweet That— Dave Berke

Connect with Dave Berke

“Every time you solve somebody’s problem for them, every time you give something to somebody that they could get for themselves, you’re hurting them.” Tweet That— Dave Berke