A Powerful Lesson from Delta’s Former COO

A highlight from S2 E18 with Scott Kartvedt

One of the hardest parts of becoming a trusted leader is that eventually… everyone asks you to do everything.

And if you care deeply about people and impact (which I’d like to think that I do!), saying yes feels good.

Recently, I was talking with John Laughter, a friend of mine and the former COO of Delta Air Lines, about leadership, retirement, and commitments. He shared something simple but incredibly wise: Not every opportunity needs to become a years-long obligation.

Sometimes the better strategy is saying YES to focused, high-impact opportunities WITHOUT overcommitting yourself long term. And that stuck with me, and with recent podcast guest Scott Kartvedt.

A lot of leaders don’t burn out because they lack capability, but actually because they become everyone’s default yes.  So sometimes, ya gotta say no!

Shoutout to John for imparting the wisdom on the Badsass Leaders Podcast community (even without realizing that’s what was happening!).

Watch the full interview on YouTube, or listen wherever you get your podcasts.

What can fighter pilots teach us about leadership, trust, accountability, and high-performance teams?

In this episode of the Badass Leaders Podcast, Angela Gill Nelms sits down with former Blue Angels pilot, Navy fighter pilot, combat commander, and Top Gun: Maverick stunt pilot Scott “Intake” Kartvedt for a conversation about elite performance under pressure and the leadership lessons that apply far beyond aviation.

Scott shares stories from combat deployments, the Blue Angels, Hollywood film sets, and military leadership to break down how high-performing teams operate when mistakes carry real consequences. Together, Angela and Scott explore the importance of preparation, honest feedback, psychological safety, resilience, communication, and building cultures rooted in trust and accountability.

The conversation also dives into leadership development, decision-making under stress, learning from failure, surrounding yourself with the right people, and why many organizations struggle to create environments where people feel safe admitting mistakes.

From leading combat squadrons to working alongside Tom Cruise on Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible, Scott reveals what elite teams understand about performance, discipline, and teamwork that every leader can apply.

Learn More About Scott Kartvedt:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottkartvedt/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kartvedt/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ScottKartvedt/
• Website: https://scottkartvedt.com/
• Scott’s book, Full Throttle: From the Blue Angels to Hollywood Stunt Pilot: https://www.amazon.com/Full-Throttle-Angels-Hollywood-Stunt/dp/B0C9S7HD3V

Mentioned in this Episode: 

• Top Gun: Maverick: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13907124/
• Blue Angels: https://www.blueangels.navy.mil/
• Lake Placid Ironman: https://www.ironman.com/races/im-lake-placid

Similar Episodes

• Brandon Williams (fighter pilot & business leader): https://youtu.be/okCk8B_UEUE
• Andrew Dingee (fighter pilot and BP executive): https://youtu.be/7eR-ui05Or0

The discussion also tackles questions…

• What separates people who succeed in elite environments from those who quit?
• How do fighter pilots stay calm under extreme pressure?
• What can businesses learn from Blue Angels debrief culture?
• Why do high-performing teams struggle with accountability?
• How do great leaders create trust inside organizations?
• What does “slow is smooth, smooth is fast” actually mean?
• How can leaders give and receive feedback more effectively?
• What leadership lessons apply from combat aviation to corporate teams?
• How do elite performers train for high-stakes decision-making?
• What can organizations learn from military leadership and culture?
• How do you build resilient teams that perform under pressure?
• Why is admitting mistakes critical to leadership success?
• What challenges do veterans face transitioning into civilian life?
• How do you know when to say yes to opportunities?
• What does Top Gun get right about fighter pilot culture?

Themes:

• Leadership under pressure
• Elite performance culture
• Accountability and ownership
• Team trust and communication
• High-performance teams
• Psychological safety
• Feedback and debrief culture
• Resilience and perseverance
• Decision-making under stress
• Fighter pilot mindset
• Blue Angels leadership lessons
• Military leadership
• Risk management and safety
• Purpose and identity
• Veteran transition to civilian life
• Mentorship and surrounding yourself with the right people
• Growth mindset and continuous improvement
• Strategic communication
• Training and preparation
• Leadership development