What makes an F-22 the most advanced fighter jet in the world?
It’s not just speed or stealth — it’s its ability to constantly learn, adapt, and apply knowledge in real time.
Great leaders do the same. They (1) learn fast, (2) apply what they know, and (3) share that knowledge to lift everyone around them. How can you do the same?
Productivity Tip: Gain and Apply Knowledge
In The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders, “Gain and Apply Knowledge” means becoming a lifelong learner in motion — constantly scanning, adapting, and improving.
Knowledge by itself doesn’t create results. Applied knowledge changes everything.
Like an F-22, your performance depends on real-time awareness and agility. When you gain new knowledge and immediately apply it, you move faster, lead smarter, and stay ahead of change.
And when you share that knowledge, you multiply power across your team — turning individual strength into collective capability.
Case Study: The USAF Debrief
After every flight, F-22 pilots conduct a structured debrief — a safe, blame-free review to capture lessons learned. The objective is simple: learn, apply that learning, and share that learning with the team.
Each mission becomes fuel for the next. Pilots identify what went well, what didn’t, and how to improve. This rhythm of learning and application transforms experience into excellence.
Leaders who build the same rhythm into their work — a habit of reflection and learning after each “mission” — turn every project into a classroom and every result into a lesson.
So, Now What? The "How To"
Success comes from mastering three simple actions: Learn. Apply. Share.
- Learn Daily — Feed Your Mind. Invest a minimum of 10 minutes a day to learning: read, listen, or reflect. Great leaders treat knowledge as fuel.
- Apply Immediately — Turn Insight into Action. Each week, choose one new idea and put it to work — in a conversation, meeting, or project. Action gives wings to what you learn!
- Share Generously — Multiply Growth. Teach what you learn to your team. Shared knowledge creates collective intelligence — a formation of F-22s working together outperforms a solo jet!
When you learn consistently, apply immediately, and share generously, you create a culture where everyone grows together. That’s becoming your best!
“Leaders who learn and apply what they learn are unstoppable.”
-Steve Shallenberger
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Leadership Development: The 12 Principles of Highly Successful Leaders
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