Aviation

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Leadership

“Justin’s keynote was the highest-rated speaker presentation of the event. The insights he provided were not only inspiring but practical and applicable.”

-Keith Thompson, President, PMI

Prepare for the future of leadership with keynotes that drive alignment, resilience, and productivity.


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Aviation Trends & Opportunities

The Digital Co-Pilot: From Crew Management to Human-AI Collaboration

The Aviation Trend: The industry is on an inevitable path toward reduced crew operations, moving towards a single pilot supported by a highly advanced AI "digital co-pilot." This shift, driven by efficiency and technology, is fundamentally altering the concept of the cockpit. The challenge is no longer just about Crew Resource Management (CRM) between two humans; it’s about creating seamless collaboration between a human leader and an intelligent machine.

The Leadership Opportunity: Airlines and operators that thrive will be those whose leaders and pilots can master human-AI teaming. The captain's role will evolve from a hands-on operator to a systems manager who must lead, trust, and verify their AI counterpart. The opportunity is to develop leaders who can provide clear intent, manage exceptions with precision, and maintain ultimate authority in an environment of shared control. This is the new frontier of aviation safety and efficiency.

The 3D Superhighway: From Centralized Control to Massively Decentralized Logistics

The Aviation Trend: The emergence of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)—from cargo drones to urban air taxis—is set to unleash a new dimension of commerce and transport. This will create an incredibly dense, low-altitude airspace that traditional, centralized air traffic control cannot manage. The challenge is not just building the aircraft, but architecting the system that allows them to operate safely and at scale.

The Leadership Opportunity: The future of logistics will be dominated by companies that can build and lead systems of profound, yet safe, decentralization. Leaders must shift from being operators to being architects of a system built on trust, standardized protocols, and clear rules of engagement. The opportunity is to create the operational framework for a "3D Superhighway" that can unlock unprecedented efficiency and new markets.

The Next-Generation Crew: From Talent Scarcity to an Ownership Culture

The Aviation Trend: The industry is facing a systemic talent crisis that threatens its ability to grow and operate. A wave of retirements combined with a shrinking pipeline for new pilots, maintenance technicians, and controllers has created a fierce war for talent. The challenge is no longer just recruiting; it's creating an environment where skilled professionals choose to stay, grow, and perform at their best.

The Leadership Opportunity: Conventional solutions like signing bonuses and recruitment campaigns are temporary fixes, not a long-term strategy. The most significant competitive advantage an aviation organization can have is a culture that retains and develops its people. The opportunity is to build a culture of ownership where every team member, from the new apprentice mechanic to the senior captain, feels a profound sense of purpose and responsibility. When people feel trusted and empowered, they don't just work for you—they commit to the mission.

Tools that are making an impact and driving value”

— Rajiv Bajwa, Vice President, IBM

Hasard is a #2 Wall Street Journal bestselling author on leadership and decision-making. He is the only fighter pilot to fly jets from two squadrons into combat on the same day, providing critical support to troops under fire.

On the leadership front, Hasard is a decorated U.S. Air Force fighter pilot who led pilots into combat on over 80 missions. He was hand-picked to fly the F-35―the most advanced fighter aircraft―which was still in development at the time. He was then selected to become an instructor, where he taught hundreds of fighter pilots the art and science of leadership and decision-making.

In his culminating role on active duty, Hasard became the Chief of Training Systems for the Air Force’s largest training base. There he led an AI transformation that enabled pilots to be trained faster and with higher proficiency, a methodology that has since been adopted by air forces around the world.

Hasard’s book, The Art of Clear Thinking, became one of the top books of the year as the #2 Wall Street Journal bestseller and has been translated into over 15 languages. Drawing from his high-stakes background, Hasard now equips organizations to navigate change and uncertainty. He partners with Fortune 500 leaders like Meta, Google, and Microsoft as well as select startups, transforming how they approach leadership through lessons forged in air combat.

keynote description

As we navigate an era of unprecedented disruption, leaders are increasingly challenged by market volatility, technological shifts, and global competition.

Studies show that over 50% of executives feel their teams are unprepared to make critical decisions under pressure, leading to missed opportunities, stalled growth, and diminished team morale. We are in a leadership crisis and must adopt a new approach to thrive in this complex environment.

Former fighter pilot, bestselling author, and leadership expert Hasard Lee helps you with his proven 5-step framework for building resilient, adaptable leaders. Whether you’re aiming for bolder decision-making, greater agility, or a more confident leadership team, you’ll leave with practical tools to achieve sustainable success.

The framework prioritizes adaptability over rigidity, strategic thinking over reactive measures, and courage over hesitation. Leaders who adopt this approach emerge inspired and equipped, ready to guide their teams through uncertainty and empowered to achieve consistent results, no matter the obstacles.

Outcomes & Experiences

Audience

This Keynote Serves Leaders & Teams Who Are:

Outcomes

The Audience Will Leave With:

Hasard tailors To suit any audience, but it shines in these settings:

Frequently Asked Questions

about Hasard

What makes Hasard uniquely qualified to speaking on leadership and decision-making?

Hasard’s leadership and decision-making under uncertainty are forged from direct, high-stakes experience as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot with over 80 combat missions. His expertise extends to developing leaders, having instructed hundreds of fighter pilots, while leading strategic innovation through his involvement with the F-35 program. He also spearheaded an organizational AI transformation within the U.S. Air Force, yielding methodologies now adopted by air forces internationally. These principles were the basis of his Wall Street Journal bestselling book, The Art of Clear Thinking, and he now applies these insights to help Fortune 500 companies like Meta, IBM, and Microsoft develop actionable strategies to lead their teams to victory.

Hasard’s drive to speak and consult is deeply rooted in the military ethos of ‘service before self.’ His development as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot involved over $50 million of intensive training, equipping him with expertise in leadership, decision-making, and resilience under pressure. Now, guided by that principle of service, Hasard’s calling is to share his combat-proven strategies, empowering individuals and organizations to navigate today’s challenges.
Through his speaking engagements, leadership programs, and consulting, he has empowered individuals and organizations to achieve extraordinary outcomes. At Meta, he inspired engineers and designers to push the boundaries of virtual reality technology, leading to innovations that transformed user experiences. His collaboration with scientists and engineers at Northrop Grumman on the James Webb Space Telescope project contributed to discoveries that deepened humanity’s connection to the universe. Additionally, his leadership development programs have equipped executives at IBM and other companies with the skills to navigate complexity, foster innovation, and drive meaningful impact.

About Hasard's Keynotes

Does Hasard customize his keynotes?
Yes, Hasard customizes his keynotes for every event. Each presentation is carefully tailored to deliver a message that resonates with the specific theme and goals of the event. This personalized approach ensures that his talks are not only relevant but also deeply engaging for the audience while aligning with the theme and messaging of the event.

What sets a keynote by Hasard apart is a multi-faceted approach designed for lasting impact. It begins with his real-world, high-stakes leadership experience. Hasard hasn’t just studied leadership; he’s lived it, leading pilots in combat and making life-or-death decisions. This gives his message a rare and compelling authenticity that audiences immediately recognize and connect with.

To further maximize your event’s success and extend its value, Hasard provides comprehensive support. This includes a world-class marketing package with engaging videos and promotional content to help you boost attendance and build buzz around the event. His commitment is to fostering a lasting impact where success is measured by progress in the months after the event. He facilitates this by providing targeted resources, such as a customized Field Guide for every attendee. This actionable blueprint distills key insights and strategies from the keynote, tailored to their specific challenges, ensuring they can reference and apply learnings.

In addition, Hasard conducts an after action debrief a month after the event to answer questions and provide guidance to ensure the momentum continues to grow.

Beyond his keynotes, Hasard offers a diverse array of services designed to enhance leadership skills and propel organizational success. 
 
  • Facilitated Leadership Sessions
    Hasard offers interactive and high-energy sessions where leaders collaborate to address real challenges. He guides participants using battle-tested strategies, enabling them to refine their skills in real time and emerge sharper and more capable.

 

  • Fireside Chats with Executive Leaders
    Hasard hosts intimate, no-filter conversations with top executives, delivering rare insights into leadership at its peak. These sessions combine storytelling, wisdom, and networking opportunities, creating a memorable and transformative experience for attendees.

 

  • Customized Workshops
    Hasard designs tailor-made workshops that confront an organization’s most pressing issues directly. Focused on critical areas like team alignment, these workshops equip participants with practical tools and yield immediate, tangible benefits.

 

  • Custom In-Person and Virtual Consulting
    Hasard provides strategic consulting services, available both in-person and virtually, that cut through complexity to bring clarity to chaotic situations. His consulting delivers actionable plans that drive organizational success.

 

  • Long-Term Leadership Training
    Hasard provides ongoing leadership development with regular touchpoints and evolving resources. This training ensures leaders experience sustained growth and maintain long-term impact within their organizations.

Booking Hasard

Does Hasard do discovery calls?

Yes, Hasard and his team are available for a discovery call for your event. Please reach out via the contact form. 

Yes, Hasard has extensive experience in both live and virtual formats. 

As a fighter pilot, Hasard specialized in executing complex missions under extreme pressure, often adapting to unexpected circumstances with minimal lead time. He brings that same decisive, ‘mission-first’ mindset to every engagement. So, regardless of your event’s lead time, please fill out the Booking Inquiry Form. Hasard will review your request and do his utmost to find a way to support your event. If he is already scheduled, he’s committed to helping you find another outstanding speaker who can deliver for your audience.

Find additional questions here.