A lot of people in leadership roles find themselves going through the motions—busy, reactive, and unsure why their teams aren’t fully engaged. What they’re often missing is a sense of clarity and intention, the kind that comes from learning to think and act with purpose under pressure. High-stakes environments have a way of stripping away the fluff and forcing focus on what truly matters. When that mindset carries over into business and life, it changes the way decisions are made and how progress actually happens.
Summary:
Christian “Boo” Boucousis is a former fighter pilot turned entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Afterburner, where he brings military precision to business leadership. He’s built and sold multiple companies and speaks globally on performance and purpose. Today, Christian shares his experiences as a fighter pilot, his diagnosis with ADHD, and how his military training shaped his approach to leadership and personal growth. He explores the importance of having a genuine vision, being intentional in your actions, and the power of understanding your purpose across personal and professional domains.
Quotes:
"The universe is fickle. If you don't believe in your vision and you don't believe in your purpose, no one else will either."
"Credibility takes years to earn and only a few seconds to lose."
"The most important question to ask today is, am I intentional and engaged, or am I a passenger, passively engaging a digital world and slowly eroding my brain?"
Takeaways:
Start each morning by asking "What do I want to achieve today?" instead of reviewing a to-do list, shifting focus from tasks to outcomes.
Examine your digital engagement - are you intentionally using technology to grow, or passively consuming content that erodes your focus?
Practice the fighter pilot approach of iteration: commit to a goal, try, potentially fail, learn from the experience, and share those learnings with your team.
Challenge yourself to be fully present in short, high-quality interactions rather than spending long periods of low-engagement time with family or colleagues.
Reflect on your leadership style: Are you authentically leading based on your true self, or trying to imitate another leader's approach?
Timeline:
[00:26] A Fighter Pilot Dream Sparked at Five Years Old
[04:09] From Grounded Jet Pilot to First Business Deal
[05:32] Fighter Pilot Mindset Reworked for Business Use
[16:12] Why Real Leadership Takes Guts and Clear Vision
[19:19] Mixing Fatherhood with Work and Staying Present
[20:01] What Credibility Really Means in High Stakes Work
[25:13] Final Thoughts on Staying Sharp and Intentional
Conclusion:
Real progress happens when strong leadership, personal growth, and a habit of learning come together. Those who stay engaged and take ownership of their actions are better equipped to turn setbacks into useful lessons. Success isn’t about having everything figured out, but about showing up with focus, being honest with yourself, and staying open to change. Over time, this steady effort builds real momentum, both at work and in life.
Links/Resources:
Website: https://www.christianboucousis.com/
Afterburner Website: https://www.afterburner.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-boo-boucousis/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christian.boucousis/
On Time on Target: How Teams and Targets Can Cut Through Complexity and Get Things Done . . . The Fighter Pilot Way: https://www.amazon.com/Time-Target-Targets-Through-Complexity/dp/1760293849
If you like what you're hearing and want to dive deeper into credibility, clarity, and how to show up as your best self, visit MitchellLevy.com. You can also book time directly on the calendar at https://mitchelllevy.com/contact-us to start your journey toward greater credibility today!
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