WINGTIP OF THE WEEK

Waldo Waldman — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 01:24:32 +0000

“Never Outsource Accountability”

Many people confuse responsibility with accountability.

They are different.

As a leader, manager, or entrepreneur, you can delegate responsibilities to a co-worker, vendor, or even your spouse, but you can never outsource accountability. Ultimately, you are accountable for and own the end resultst.

Remember, you, are the pilot in command of your jet.
Don’t expect anyone to hold you accountable but yourself!
****************************************************

Every month or two, I like to share recommendations on great books that are coming out that can really help you in this tough economy.

Phil Town is the NY Times bestseller of Rule #1, and I recently read his latest book Payback Time. I was impressed with how he takes the mystery out of finding well run companies, verifying their fundamentals, and positioning yourself to cash in on their success.

Watch this video and see how he simplifies the process: Top Gun Financial Strategy

Packed full of practical, easy to implement advice, his book will help you as you strive to reach new heights in this challenging economy and educate you as you aim to hit your financial targets. If you’re looking for a Top Gun financial strategy, add Payback Time to your flight plan and let Phil Town be your wingman!

Hit Your Financial Targets
Never Fly Solo,
Waldo

Waldo featured Live on Fox & Friends

Waldo Waldman — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 05:30:23 +0000

Waldo discusses how our country’s veterans can be wingmen for businesses and corporate America. The challenging economy and repressed job market presents an opportunity for employers to hire veterans who are well trained, disciplined, team players and know how to work under stressful conditions…all traits of a great wingman.

Would you like to replay the video or share the link to it with your friends?

Press and Media Coverage

Waldo Waldman — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 21:35:34 +0000

Waldo’s message to you is simple — whether achieving victory as a fighter pilot, in business, or in life, the same qualities that ensure success apply: focus, discipline, integrity, teamwork, leadership, overcoming your fears, and maintaining a commitment to excellence.

Visualizing Success: A Goal setting flightplan for 2010

Waldo Waldman — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:38:41 +0000

In January of 2007, I made a commitment to write a book. But it wasn’t an ordinary commitment. I wanted to write a New York Times bestseller. After all, if I was going to do something as unique as write a book, why not challenge myself to see if I could make a it a bestseller?

After I made the commitment, I got busy. Real busy.

I attended seminars on book publishing, connected with fellow speakers who were successful authors, researched agents, built relationships with marketing experts, and started outlining the content of my book. I hired a writing coach who helped me to “think outside my cockpit” with regards to my content. Then, I shared my goal with my family, friends, and my closest business associates.

I wrote most of my book at a local Barnes & Noble bookstore. Whenever I was there, I would religiously walk over to the business section and peruse the bestsellers. I would check out the covers, testimonials, and acknowledgments. And then I did something that really made a difference. I envisioned my book in section.
I would smile as I said to myself, “My book is going to be right here. I am going to be a NY Times bestseller!”

Then a wave of fear would hit me as I thought of the daunting task ahead and all that needed to be done. But instead of letting my fear hold me back, I would grab my favorite cup of coffee, re-focus my energy, and get down to the painstaking task of writing.

Page by page. Chapter by chapter. I finally got it done. It took me three years.

Within three months of the book’s release, I sat down in my office, grabbed a black sharpie and wrote the title of my book on a piece of paper.Underneath it (in big bold letters) I wrote these words: “NY Times bestseller!” I taped it to my bathroom mirror so I couldlook at it several times a day.
And on Dec 8, 2009, my dream came true. I became a NY Times bestseller! It’s 2010. We’re starting a brand new decade. What extraordinary goals are you trying to achieve this coming year? What do you want to accomplish that will stretch you beyond your limits and test your determination, work ethic, and passion? The new year means new challenges.Are you ready to tackle them head on and take your success to the next level?

Here are seven powerful wingtips to help you reach your goals and start planning your 2010 flight plan for success:

Set a high but achievable goal – Choose a goal that will get you to step out of your comfort zone and stretch your limits. Be careful. If you set the bar too high and miss the target, you may get de-motivated and frustrated.
Share your goals with your wingmen – By letting others know your goal, you create accountability partners who will help keep you on track and force you to live up to your challenge. Don’t just tell anyone. Tell only those who know you, believe in you, and who will be brutally honest.
Establish a flight plan: Don’t fly by the seat of your pants. Formulate a strategy for success. Invest in yourself by attending seminarsand workshops, and stay disciplined and focused as you pursue your goal. Remember, a goal without a plan is like a combat mission without a target.
Ask for help: Solicit advice from experts and successful people and model their actions (and attitudes!) However, also take the time to build meaningful relationships by offering your advice and expertise to others as well.
Set a timeline: Pick a realistic date when you expect your goal to be accomplished. Then, establish “checkpoints” along the way to monitor and assess your progress. (*I failed to do this initially and it prevented me from achieving my goal a lot sooner!)
Visualize the goal: Envision how success looks and feels. Feelings incite action. Write your goal down and look at it every day. By writing down your goals, you visualize the goal and make it real. Then repeat the goal out loud…and with confidence.

Commit to making several professional and personal goals. But don’t over commit. It’s easy to become overwhelmed in the pursuit of success. Be tough but patient (and understanding) with yourself. Finally, be prepared for setbacks along the way. Remember, hidden in the soil of failure are the seeds to success.

Thank you for being my wingmen in 2010 and for supporting me in my goal of becoming a New York Times bestseller! Without your encouragement, none of it could have happened.
Wishing you health, peace, and success in 2010 and beyond.

NEVER FLY SOLO,
Waldo

Never Fly Solo Soars to Bestseller

Waldo Waldman — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 03:38:20 +0000

Book by Decorated Fighter Pilot Soars Up

the New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestseller Lists

New York Times Bestseller list

Atlanta, GA, December 15, 2009–Only one week after publication, NEVER FLY SOLO: Lead with Courage, Build Trusting Relationships and Reach New Heights in Business (McGraw-Hill; December 1, 2009; $24.95) hit both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller lists. The author, Rob “Waldo” Waldman, kicked off the launch with high profile interviews on CNN and several nationally syndicated radio shows. All pre-advance profits from the book are being donated to Veteran’s charities.

I’ve always wanted to share the important lessons I learned in combat and how they can help improve one’s personal and professional life,” says Waldman. “I’m grateful that my book’s message of courage and trust is resonating and that people are seeking new ways to build more meaningful relationships in today’s highly volatile job market and demanding workplace.”

Wall Street Journal Bestseller List

Whether you are a seasoned executive, entrepreneur, or new to the business world, creating a work environment based on mutual support and trust is crucial to success. NEVER FLY SOLO reveals how the same steadfast interdependence of wingmen in combat is necessary to transform relationships with colleagues, co?workers, and friends into interdependent partners for success.

At a time when our country is sending more troops to Afghanistan, NEVER FLY SOLO is a timely reminder of what we can learn from these brave men and women as we dodge our own missiles of fear and adversity at home.

Lt. Col. Rob “Waldo” Waldman, MBA, CSP, is a former decorated Air Force fighter pilot, sales manager, and professional leadership speaker. He completed 65 combat missions in Iraq and Kosovo in the cockpit of an F-16 jet fighter. His clients include Hewlett-Packard, Aflac, Marriott, New York Life, and Nokia and he has appeared on CNN, Fox News and other networks. Waldo lives in Atlanta, where he was ranked one of the Top 40 Business Leaders in Georgia. Find out more at www.yourwingman.com.

Never Fly Solo hits #1 on Amazon

Waldo Waldman — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 04:18:24 +0000

Never Fly Solo was rated at number one in 3 categories on Amazon.com’s website on December 3, 2009. The ratings came just 2 days after the initial release of the leadership and motivational book by Rob Waldo Waldman

#1 in “Motivation”
#1 in “Leadership”
#1 in “Business Management”

Reviews from readers and bloggers included a recommendation from
Bnet.com’s Geoffrey James. ”You Gotta Buy (and Read) This Book!“

and LeadershipNow.com, “Got Wingmen? Never Fly Solo“.

Waldo Waldman CNN Interview, Never Fly Solo

Waldo Waldman — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:03:13 +0000

Lead with Courage, Build trusting partnerships and Reach new heights in Business

Rob “Waldo” Waldman was interviewed by CNN regarding his new book, Never Fly Solo.

CNN Interview Transcript To purchase Never Fly Solo click here

WHITFIELD: Focus, discipline, and relying on your wingman: all secrets to success for fighter pilots. As our next guest has learned, these secrets to success can translate in life for those of us who are civilians and who don’t have those stripes. Rob “Waldo” Waldman is the author of Never Fly Solo. Good to see you – Lieutenant Colonel, right?

ROB “WALDO” WALDMAN, AUTHOR, NEVER FLY SOLO: Great to be here.

WHITFIELD: OK, so we understand that to be a great pilot, there is discipline. There is certainly trust. How do we, as ordinary citizens, reach out to someone and say, “You’re my wingman” or “I want to be someone’s wingman?” And what does it mean to be a wingman?

WALDMAN: Well, like you said, being a wing man is about trust. And I remember flying combat missions, 65 total…and when you’re strapped into an F-16, you’re barely able to move, and you can’t see your most vulnerable position which is behind you! So what we do as fighter pilots is we check each other’s six, which is 6:00 on a clock.

So it’s hard for me to check my own six, But, if I’m flying with you Fredricka, and you’re a mile to my right or left, you can easily look over your shoulders and call out the missiles to us. So it’s about encouraging each other and calling out the missiles, because we all have blind spots.

WHITFIELD: Right.

WALDMAN: So I need to build trust with you and be willing to hear you call out that missile and say, “You know what, Fredricka “thinks outside of the cockpit” and cares about me.” Then, I need to take action.

WHITFIELD: So in other words you’re referencing a mentor — finding a mentor or being someone’s mentor. But many of us are so busy in our lives just trying to take care of ourselves and trying to take of family members, and now we’ve got to try and think, ”How can I help someone else?” How do you encourage someone to communicate you want to be someone’s wingman and this is how do you it?

WALDMAN: Well, we have to embody the principles of courage and trust and accountability before we can ask for help. But I believe the most important words in life are, “I need help.” So how do you do it at home?

WHITFIELD: And that’s hard to say, “I need help.”

WALDMAN: Yes! It’s that we all have egos. But “mayday” is the wingman’s call to action so don’t ever turn away a wingman. But be careful here. Wing nuts will try to drag you down, so be selective with who you’re working with…

WHITFIELD: Yes.

WALDMAN: But also volunteer. Review somebody’s resume. Wing work; don’t just network. Get out there and find people who you know in your network that can help the person out.

WHITFIELD: So you’re in your workplace. You’re going about your regular routine. You’ve got your morning routine, your afternoon duties, et cetera. When do you make that time to even identify that someone could use assistance or to say, “You know what? I need help.” without looking vulnerable? How do you do that?

WALDMAN: Well, the key is not to call out for help until you build the relationships. In my book, Never Fly Solo, I talk about walking the flight line. When you’re at work, if you’re in sales, connect with the people in tech support and customer service.

Right here at CNN you have makeup people, behind the scenes people. What do they do? What do your marketing people do?

And when you build relationships with them and the missiles do come, you can ask for help and know they’ll be there for you.

The key is this: treat each other as people first and employees second, and they will push it up and go to full power for you.

WHITFIELD: And you know we’re giving thanks this weekend for a lot of things. People need to think about what’s important and not necessarily those material things…

WALDMAN: Yes.

WHITFIELD: … but if someone else’s effort, someone extends a hand to help me along, you’re now saying it’s time to return the favor.

WALDMAN: It’s about being what I call a wing giver. In this economy, people are being shot at. Let’s not get shot down. Let’s give our wings away. And if you look at troops that are serving overseas, we just had Thanksgiving…We need to be thankful.

WHITFIELD: Yes.

WALDMAN: Look in your communities. Volunteer at a soup kitchen. You might have a neighbor whose husband or wife might be deployed. Bring over a cake. Maybe they need some help. You don’t need to wear a flight suit or fly an F-16 to be a wingman. It’s the little things in life that acknowledge our humanity and give each other courage. That’s the key.

WHITFIELD: Excellent. Never Fly Solo, Lieutenant Colonel Rob “Waldo” Waldman, thank so much for helping all of us who are nonmilitary try to apply these military disciplines to our regular civilian lives and help everybody else in the interim.

Good to see you. Appreciate it.

WALDMAN: A pleasure to be here.

WHITFIELD: Very nice.

WALDMAN: Thank you.

BE A WING-GIVER

Waldo Waldman — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 10:00:55 +0000

Thanksgiving is always a special holiday as we reflect on what we are thankful for. It’s easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life and forget to take time to smell the flowers and appreciate what we have. I surely am guilty of this.

When we really think about it, this holiday is really about being thankful for our relationships – the wingmen in our lives who give meaning to our missions.

So, as we ponder what we’re thankful for this year, I would like you to join me in reflecting on those wingmen in our lives who:

Give that extra wing when we need a lift.
Encourage us to take action when we are immobilized by fear and doubt.
We can call out “Mayday” to when adversity strikes
“Check our six” and see our blind spots, and then have the courage to give us feedback so we don’t get shot down.
Celebrate our victories and cheer us on when we succeed.

Today and every day, let’s also remind ourselves to lend a wing of courage and support to our co-workers, family, friends, servicemen and women, and anyone in need. They too need us to be their wingmen. You just never know the difference you can make for someone.

Let’s be wing-givers. Let’s lift each other up.

This is what gives meaning to our mission and helps us to fly.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Never Fly Solo,

Rob “Waldo” Waldman

Your Wingman

Honoring our Country’s Wingmen on Veterans Day

Waldo Waldman — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:14:26 +0000

As we celebrate this Veterans Day to honor our country’s heroes and pay respect to their service and sacrifice, it’s difficult not to get caught up with the emotions and controversy surrounding the recent massacre at Fort Hood Army base in TX. What happened was indeed a tragedy and the families and loved ones of those killed or injured will have many challenging days ahead. My heartfelt condolences go out to all of them.

Although difficult to do, I am trying not to focus on the individual responsible for this tragedy. I believe he was a traitor to the core values that have established America as a pillar of freedom and democracy and I will not let his act of cowardice dilute the true meaning of Veterans Day. With the war on terror so prevalent in the news, we need to remind ourselves that those executing government policy on the battlefront are real men and women with families, dreams, and aspirations. They don’t make the policy, but simply carry out their duties with honor, courage and commitment.

As a former fighter pilot and veteran with 65 combat missions in Iraq and Serbia, believe me when I say there is no greater advocate for peace than a soldier. And while we may not agree 100% with the decisions our country makes, our commitment and our responsibility to our country should always take precedence over

our personal opinions and feelings. When we take an oath to “support and defend the constitution of the United States,” we should honor it.

It’s about commitment, integrity, courage and sacrifice and I am a firm believer that it takes character and discipline to uphold these patriotic values.

Commit to Service

So, as Americans, how can we pay tribute to our veterans and to those currently serving on this special day? We do it by committing ourselves to service in our everyday lives and creating an environment in our country that embraces the values and principles that our soldiers fight to protect. We should:

Honor our responsibilities as parents, employees and business owners.

Live with integrity at home and at work.

Lend a wing and help those who are suffering in this tough economy.

Respect our environment, give to charity and volunteer in our communities.

In essence, we need to set the example and live our lives with honor and integrity so that our veterans and troops abroad can truly say, “America is worth fighting for!”

So my question today to you is this. Are you worth fighting for?

YOU are America. Don’t look upon your neighbor to serve if you aren’t willing to do so yourself.

Service begins with you.

I believe you don’t need to wear a flight suit or army fatigues to serve our country. The best way we can thank our veterans is to make them proud of us through our own personal commitment, courage, and compassion. We need to be warriors for freedom and do the right thing by living with honor. This is how we can make Veterans Day…and every day….a day worth celebrating.

*******************************************************************

I am donating all of my advance profits of my new book Never Fly Solo (McGraw-Hill) that releases on 1 December to veterans in need. Please click here http://tinyurl.com/yfno5yf and buy a book for the special wingmen in your life to let them know they aren’t flying solo with you on their wing. For more information about my book, visit www.NeverFlySolo.com

Lt Col Rob “Waldo” Waldman

Info@YourWingman.com; www.YourWingman.com

Please share your thoughts with me.

How You Can Be a Wingman for Veterans

Waldo Waldman — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 05:24:05 +0000

Never Fly Solo is a business leadership flight plan that exemplifies the essential core values of integrity, courage, and service. No group embraces these values more than our country’s veterans. That’s why I am donating 100% of my advance purchase proceeds to veterans in need. My goal is to raise $100,000 for these heroes who have given their wings for our country. But I need your help.

Help me support and make a difference for our Veterans in need.

Visit Never Fly Solo and purchase a copy of Never Fly Solo for yourself and a friend.
Send an e-mail to your wingmen and share this video on Twitter, Linked In, Stumble, Digg, Facebook and other popular social networking sites.
Partner with me on my Never Fly Solo book tour and let’s create a fund-raising flight plan for our veterans. Please e-mail my Marketing Wingman Steven Roddy at steven@yourwingman.com for more information.

When you buy a book for the special wingmen in your life, you’re letting them know that they aren’t flying solo with you on their wing. And you’re also being a wingman for our veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country.

Let’s “Push It Up” for our Veterans!