Justin “Hasard” Lee
Keynote Speaker
#2 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author; Decorated F-16 and F-35 Fighter Pilot and Combat Veteran; Former Chief of Training Systems, U.S. Air Force
Decorated fighter pilot and #2 WSJ bestselling author Justin “Hasard” Lee translates battlefield lessons into a powerful framework for business. He delivers a gripping blend of combat-tested strategies and unforgettable stories, equipping teams to build a culture of radical ownership, swarm the white space, and ultimately, Own the Outcome™.
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Justin “Hasard” Lee's speaking fee: Under $25,000
Justin “Hasard” Lee teaches organizations how to build a culture of ownership. His core philosophy is: Good teams focus on tasks; great teams Own the Outcome™. As a #2 Wall Street Journal bestselling author and decorated fighter pilot, he blends gripping, real-world experience with a battle-tested framework for leadership, decision-making, and resilience.
Lee’s leadership principles were forged in one of the world’s most demanding environments. He has flown over 80 combat missions and is the only pilot to fly jets from two different squadrons into combat on the same day, providing critical air support to troops under fire. Hand-picked to fly the F-35, he was on the front lines of developing cutting-edge technology and training methods for one of the most advanced aircraft in the world.
However, his most impactful role was as an architect of elite performance. As the Chief of Training Systems for the U.S. Air Force’s largest fighter training base, he led an AI transformation that enabled pilots to be trained faster and with increased proficiency. This methodology, focused on creating adaptable and decisive leaders, has since been adopted by air forces around the world.
Drawing from this unique background, Lee developed The Ownership Flywheel™, a proprietary system designed to solve the universal business problem of “the white space”—the dangerous gaps between teams where momentum dies and initiatives fail. His framework equips teams to swarm these gaps through five interconnected laws:
One Team, One Fight
Decentralized Execution
No Decision is a Decision
Adapt and Overcome
Steel Sharpens Steel
Today, Lee equips leaders and their teams with actionable tools to build a culture of radical ownership. His presentations, grounded in unforgettable stories and validated by corporate case studies, enable organizations to navigate uncertainty, thrive during change, and ultimately, Own the Outcome™. His international bestseller, The Art of Clear Thinking, has brought his frameworks on high-performance teamwork to a global audience, with translations in over 15 languages.
More Than a Keynote: A Partnership
When you partner with Hasard, you get a fully customized experience. He crafts each keynote to solve your specific
challenges, blending unforgettable stories with actionable strategies that your team can use immediately. To ensure
the learning lasts, he provides tools like his Customized Field Guide, and the post-event debrief. His mission is to equip
your team with a proven playbook to build a culture of radical ownership and, ultimately, Own the Outcome™
Justin “Hasard” Lee’s Speech Topics
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Own the Outcome™: Engage the Ownership Flywheel to Swarm the White Space
Good teams focus on tasks. Great teams Own the Outcome™. The single biggest threat to your organization is the “white space”—the dangerous gaps between teams where momentum dies, and initiatives fail. In this gripping keynote, decorated F-35 figther pilot Hasard Lee deploys The Ownership Flywheel™, a battle-tested operating system for transforming your team into a proactive, mission-driven force. Through unforgettable combat stories and actionable tools, your team will learn the five laws of radical ownership that enable them to swarm the white space, eliminate corporate friendly fire, and thrive during uncertainty and change.
Key Takeaways:
- A framework for instilling a culture of radical ownership.
- Actionable tools for empowering teams with Decentralized Execution.
- A disciplined process for making clear, fast decisions under pressure.
- Strategies for building resilience and adapting when plans fail.
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Decentralized Execution: The Leader’s Playbook for Building an Unstoppable Team
Are you a bottleneck to your own team’s growth? The “hero leader” who insists on having all the answers is the single biggest constraint on performance. The solution is Decentralized Execution, a strategic force multiplier that stops you from giving tasks and empowers your team to own missions. Drawing on his experience training elite fighter pilots, Hasard Lee delivers a clear playbook for building an indispensable team. You’ll learn how to craft a clear Commander’s Intent, provide “Top Cover” to foster psychological safety, and create a culture where initiative is the default.
Key Takeaways:
- The V.I.B.E. framework for giving missions, not just tasks.
- How to provide “Top Cover” to unlock your team’s initiative.
- Techniques to stop being a bottleneck and start being a force multiplier.
- How to build a team that can operate with speed and clarity, even when you’re not in the room.
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Clarity in Chaos: A Fighter Pilot’s Framework for Decisive Leadership
The greatest vulnerability in any organization isn’t an external threat; it’s internal indecision. In a volatile market, hesitation is a choice to let your competitors set the pace. This session installs a battle-tested operating system for making clear, fast, and effective decisions when the stakes are highest. Drawing from his #2 WSJ bestseller, The Art of Clear Thinking, Hasard Lee deconstructs the disciplined process fighter pilots use to make life-or-death choices in seconds. Your team will leave with a simple, repeatable framework for controlling the tempo, assessing options without bias, and executing with confidence.
Key Takeaways:
- The ACE framework (Assess, Choose, Execute) for making high-quality decisions under pressure.
- The mental skill of Detachment to assess options clearly and without emotional bias.
- A “Wind the Clock” technique to interrupt panic and prevent flawed, reactive decisions.
- The 3×3 Debrief ritual to turn every decision—good or bad—into a source of future competitive advantage.
Featured News
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Forbes -
Harvard Business Review How One F-35 Fighter Pilot Makes Decisions Under Pressure
Works by Justin “Hasard” Lee
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