Episode 387 - F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II

Becoming Your Best | The Principles of Highly Successful Leaders

07/11/23 • 32 min

What should a leader do when the program they oversee receives nothing but criticism and doubt from outside? How important are leadership, team building, and team management skills to absorb the pressure and turn a program from possible failure to a resounding success?

In today's episode, the inspiring Betsy Clark and Tom Burbage join us for a great conversation about leadership, management, and the keys to building high-performing teams, inspired by the story depicted in their book "F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II," where they gift us with an inside look to the creation of the most advanced aircraft in the world.

Throughout our conversation, we learn about Betsy and Tom's background and unique perspectives: Tom's as the leader of the entire project, and Betsy's as a member of a review team from the US Department of Defense. Together, we explore the importance of leadership and management, why they decided to write the book, and several crucial leadership concepts.

Additionally, we explore the challenges the F-35 program faced from start to finish, how Tom turned around a program that was inches from failing, Betsy and Tom offer valuable leadership and management tips and advice, and much more.

Tune in to Episode 387 and learn more about the creation of this fascinating aircraft and the valuable leadership and management lessons that can be extracted from the F-35 program.

Some Questions I Ask:

Tom, tell us a bit about the F-35, and Betsy, what moved you to write this book? (7:50)

Betsy, could you share some insights the readers of "F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II" will find in the book? (14:10)

In This Episode, You Will Learn:

A bit about Betsy and Tom's background (4:30)

Why the F-35 became much more than an aircraft (9:10)

How Tom transformed a project on the brink of failure into a success (17:30)

Betsy and Tom share valuable leadership and management concepts (23:20)

Be a contributor, be a doer (27:40)

Resources:

Book: Betsy Clark, Tom Burbage - F-35: The Inside Story of the Lightning II

Connect with Betsy: