TOPGUN Peak Pressure Performance

Recently I attended a banquet and had the opportunity to meet and listen to Commander Bill Driscoll present on "How to maximize your peak pressure performance." Commander Driscoll is a member of the Navy's first and only team of jet-missile aces with the shoot down of five enemy fighters in combat. He is one of the highest decorated living Naval Flight Officers of the past 50 years. His major awards include the Navy Cross, two Silver Stars, the Purple Heart, 8 Air Medals, and Nominations for the Medal of Honor. He has 170 combat missions, 3300 hours of jet fighter time, more than 5200 jet dogfights and 500 aircraft carrier landings.

Commander Driscoll talked about how to make decisions under pressure, the importance of self discipline and preparation. I've seen a lot of speakers and have to say that he is one of the best. He talked about flying at speeds of over 700 mph at altitudes of under 100 feet under a crushing 7 "Gs". How do Top Gun fighter pilots handle this releneless tension, anxiety and stress? He told amazing stories that gave us all insight as to how we could apply some TOPGUN tactics into our lives and business. He focused on preparation for example. How do we get ready every day for our work, the practice required, the training involved, the desire to be the best.

He talked about the TOPGUN credo and how it is YOUR responsibility to find the best solutions. He gave us all a card to use as a reminder of the "Aces" Formula for Self Discipline that includes:

> a simple plan
> relentless preparation
> attention to detail
> debriefing
> satisfaction?
> repeating

As a sponsor of the event I was very proud to be involved with such a great event and enjoyed a special moment in time as we were in the company of a truly great American hero. Having this opportunity on Veterans Day only made it even more important and emotional.

Many thanks to to Commander Bill Driscoll for making it a night to always remember. We should all take his advice and to apply TOPGUN strategy in our business.

Craig Silverman

< Previous Post

Comment by Valentino Martinez on November 12, 2010 at 3:06pm: Great post, Craig,

Your experience meeting and being in the audience for a Bill Driscoll presentation had to be inspiring.

Having facilitated the hire of TOPGUN FIGHTER PILOTS and an ASTRONAUT—one can’t help but be in awe of performance excellence personified.

Thanks for sharing the TOPGUN “ACES” formula for self-discipline. It is straight forward but demanding. When I lecture on campus I always ask for a show of hands for, “Who wants access to the best jobs of the future?” I then say, “Keep your hands up, now how many of you are willing to do the hard work and make the sacrifices required to get and keep the best jobs of the future?” Being the best, or at least approaching it, can come with a dedicated TOPGUN effort.