Retired RAF Pilot Peter Docker, on Leadership From the Jumpseat

Episode page: https://www.leanblog.org/437

My guest for Episode #437 of the Lean Blog Interviews Podcast is Peter Docker. He is the author of the book Leading From the Jumpseat: How to Create Extraordinary Opportunities by Handing Over Control.

He was the co-author of the book Find Your Why and formerly a founding Igniter at Simon Sinek Inc. Peter draws on his 25-year career in the Royal Air Force, and over 14 years spent partnering with businesses around the world, to inspire others to “Lead from the Jumpseat.”

There are opportunities today to connect the dots to Lean, as we focus on styles of leadership that are very compatible with Lean.

Today, we discuss topics and questions including:

• Mutual respect… “respect for people” connection
• What is jumpseat leadership?
• Humility / courage to ask for help — a culture that invites that?
• Doing nothing vs. choosing to not intervene
• React vs. response

• Planning for likely events – checklists 
• Standardized Work parallel — Mental capacity to deal with the unexpected
• Hospitals – sense of belonging – love for others
• Eric Dickson example – link to his episode of “Habitual Excellence“
• Driven by love or driven by fear? — Fear is not sustainable
• “Humble Confidence” — can somebody become more humble? Or do the humble become more confident?
• Leadership under pressure?
• PROGRESSION AS A LEADER:

1. Learning to fly
2. Flying
3. Teaching others to fly
4. Leading from the Jumpseat

• Belonging – how can leaders create a sense of belonging?
  • This goes beyond the word “engagement”?

• “Learning is a large part of military culture” — what creates that?

The podcast is sponsored by Stiles Associates, now in their 30th year of business. They are the go-to Lean recruiting firm serving the manufacturing, private equity, and healthcare industries. Learn more.

This podcast is part of the #LeanCommunicators network.