Beyond the Flight Deck: Leadership Lessons from the Blue Angels

I’ve been spending a lot of time coaching teams this year. I've noticed a trend: high-performing teams, the ones that deliver essential services and products we rely on, are often stretched thin. They're working harder than ever, and it's taking a toll. It's easy to forget that these teams are made up of real people who are juggling work, family, and personal commitments.

To stay sharp and effective, these teams are taking strategic pauses. They're investing time in training, team building, reflection, and alignment for the next “big lift.” It might seem counterintuitive, but it's a powerful strategy for long-term success.
​
As I've been thinking about how to best support teams in these challenging times, I find inspiration in unexpected places. This month, The Blue Angels.

The Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy's elite flight demonstration squadron, offer invaluable lessons in leadership and teamwork. Let’s explore a few:

Shared Leadership, Not Just a Navy Trick
One of the most striking aspects of The Blue Angels is their commitment to shared leadership. Every two years, the squadron rotates leadership roles, ensuring fresh perspectives and preventing burnout. This isn’t just a Navy practice; it’s a strategy that can be applied to any team.

By rotating leadership, you can:

• Reduce burnout: Give team members a break from the constant pressure of leadership. Build in career development through strategic rotations, where the leaders are authorized to lead rather than maintain status quo. If you think that's "pie in the sky," factor in the costs of talent turnover, toxic burnout, and presenteeism. 
• Foster innovation: Encourage fresh thinking and new approaches.
• Develop future leaders: Provide opportunities for team members to step up and take on new challenges.

A Learning Mindset: The Key to Continuous Improvement
The Blue Angels are constantly striving to improve their performance. They embrace a culture of learning, where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. This mindset is essential for any team that wants to stay ahead of the curve.

To cultivate a learning mindset in your team, consider these strategies:

• Encourage experimentation: Create a safe space for team members to try new things and learn from their failures.
• Provide ongoing learning debriefs, training and development: Invest in your team's professional growth.
• Celebrate successes, no matter how small: Recognize and reward your team's achievements.

Attention to Detail: The Foundation of Excellence
The Blue Angels are known for their meticulous attention to detail. Every aspect of their performance, from their flight formations to their ground operations, is carefully planned and executed.

To emulate this level of precision in your team, you can:

• Set clear expectations: Ensure that everyone on your team knows what is expected of them.
• Establish clear communication channels: Make sure that information flows freely within your team.
• Use relevant project management tools: These tools can help you track progress, identify potential problems, and ensure that deadlines are met.

 
Teamwork and Trust: Authorize People to Do What They Do Best
The Blue Angels fly in incredibly tight formations at high speeds. For example, when they do the Diamond 360 formation they fly jets about 18 inches apart at speeds of over 400 miles per hour. This requires an extraordinary level of trust and teamwork. In any team, trust is the foundation of effective collaboration.

Point people in the right direction, and let them perform:

• Set clear direction, remove barriers, and let your team shine.
• Say “I fully authorize and trust you to d a, b, and c. Come to me if you need or want help.”
• Align talents to task to ensure that people with specific talents are applying them to their work within the team.

Inspiration and learning are the hidden gems that surround us. They can spark a fresh perspective, re-energize our spirits, and align us with something truly worthwhile. The Blue Angels serve as a reminder that we all have the capacity to add value through our unique brilliance.
 
#leadership #teamwork #BlueAngels #performance #innovation #learning #communication #attentiontodetail #sharedleadership #teambuilding #leadership #coaching #engineering #science #municipalgovernment #nonprofit