Rob “Waldo” Waldman

The Wingman – Hall of Fame Speaker, New York Times bestselling Author, Decorated Fighter Pilot

Topic Categories:

Business, Leadership, Management, Motivational, Resilience, Safety, Teamwork

Fee Range: Contact Speaker Exchange Agency

Performance Credibility: Combat decorated fighter pilot & real world sales experience
Proven Content: New York Times & Wall Street Journal Bestselling author and major media appearances including CNN, FOX, Harvard Business Review, and Inc Magazine
Platform Skills: Speaker Hall of Fame Inductee and Certified Speaking Professional (CSP)
Educated: B.S. Air Force Academy; MBA – With focus on Organization Behavior
Community Leader: Philanthropist (www.TheWingmanFoundation.com), Father, Husband, Mentor, Friend

*Fee ranges are presented as a guideline only. Speaker fees are subject to change without notice. For an exact quote, please contact your Speaker Exchange Agency representative.

About

Known as “The Wingman,” Lt Col (ret.) Waldo Waldman is the author of the New York Times Bestseller Never Fly Solo. He helps organizations build collaborative cultures of trust, courage, and commitment in order to adapt to change, break performance barriers, and overcome adversity.

In the cockpit, a fighter pilot’s life depends on trust in their wingman. Waldo learned that lesson firsthand while flying 65 combat missions over Iraq and Serbia, where split-second decisions, teamwork, and trust determined mission success. Today, he brings those powerful lessons from the skies into the business world—helping leaders and teams perform under pressure and win in today’s rapidly changing environment.

Waldo’s story is as compelling as his message. Despite battling a crippling fear of heights and claustrophobia early in his career, he earned his wings as a U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and rose to become a highly respected combat leader. His journey embodies the courage, resilience, and trust he now teaches organizations around the world.

Known for his engaging storytelling and actionable insights, Waldo’s keynote presentations challenge audiences to break through fear, build trusted relationships, and embrace the mindset that success is never achieved alone. His signature message—Never Fly Solo—reminds leaders that sustainable success requires commitment, accountability, and the courage to rely on others when the stakes are high.

Waldo is a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and also holds an MBA with a focus on Organizational Behavior. He is an inductee into the Professional Speakers Hall of Fame, and is the founder of The Wingman Foundation whose mission is to build funds and awareness for veterans and their families in need. He has been featured on CNN, Fox News, Inc. Magazine, and The Harvard Business Review, and his clients include Cisco, Verizon, American Express, GE, The Denver Broncos, ExxonMobil, New York Life, Siemens, Merck, and dozens of national associations.

Topics

Never Fly Solo!® How to Lead with Courage and Build a Culture of Trust

Known as “The Wingman,” Lt Col Waldo Waldman is a Hall of Fame keynote speaker, combat decorated fighter pilot, New York Times bestselling author, and executive coach. An expert on change management and resilience, he helps leaders build collaborative cultures of trust and courage in highly competitive, turbulent conditions.

During his interactive in-person (or virtual) leadership program, Waldo shares combat tested tools and techniques on managing change, performing under pressure, and building trusting relationships to accelerate courage, commitment, and revenue during challenging times.

Leaders will learn:

• How to leverage one’s mindset to maintain focus amidst uncertainty
• The three steps peak performers take to face adversity with courage
• Tactics to cultivate resilience and confidence to lead under pressure
• How to grow influence and impact with coworkers, clients and partners

Waldo’s message inspires a “One Team, One Mission” culture &
reminds leaders that winners Never Fly Solo®.

Never Fly Solo!® The Power of Partnership to Reach New Heights in Business and Life

Flying solo? You might think so. But take a good look around. You have support staff, managers, and suppliers. And you have colleagues, consultants, and significant others.

By building trust in your partners, you can overcome obstacles, adapt to change, and achieve success. When you have wingmen, there is no mission you can’t complete!

Through captivating stories, business lessons, and real-world video, Waldo will take your team on an unforgettable journey of high performance and excellence in extremely competitive and demanding environments.

Be inspired to take to the skies knowing that you have Wingmen to help you face challenges and change with courage while maximizing potential in all aspects of life.

Key Takeaways:

Promote Open Communication, Integrity, and Trust
Develop a Collaborative Culture of Teamwork and Mutual Support
Leverage Preparation to Build Confidence
Transform Relationships into Revenue Convert Fear into Action
Lead with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion

Promote Open Communication, Integrity, and Trust
Develop a Collaborative Culture of Teamwork and Mutual Support
Leverage Preparation to Build Confidence
Transform Relationships into Revenue Convert Fear into Action
Lead with Courage, Conviction, and Compassion

Wingman Leadership®

The key to building a high-performing organization that encourages innovative thinking, adaptability to change, effective communication, and a commitment to excellence lies with its leadership.

In this high-energy program, Waldo highlights the difference between managing others and leading them to be responsible, empowered and confident wingmen. Waldo will discuss proven leadership principals based on his experience as an AF Academy graduate, decorated fighter pilot, and seasoned businessman.

The program will:

Instill a “One Team-One Mission” culture of team ownership so that every leader feels fully accountable for the success of the mission.
Share tools to motivate leaders and staff to collaborate more effectively, adapt to change, and face adversity and conflict with courage.
Provide tools for personal and professional growth that will give additional leverage for building high-performance teams.

Wingman Safety® (keynote or half day seminar)

In the world of the fighter pilot, complacency kills. A failure to adhere to standards, maintain discipline and follow procedures not only can cause aircraft mishaps, but it can also cost lives.

The same holds true on the factory floor or a dangerous worksite. Employees who lack attention to detail, focus, and discipline are prone to make mistakes that can impact safety, productivity, operational excellence…and lives.

Waldo will share proven leadership principals based on his experience as an Air Force safety officer and as a combat flight lead where his wingmen’s lives were on the line.

Following his program, the audience will learn peak performance leadership and safety enhancing tools based on three key concepts:

Commitment to Excellence – Everyone must know exactly what and who they are fighting for. They should emulate excellence on and off the job, and understand that their role is essential to safety, morale, and culture.
Values Based Culture – Integrity, accountability, mutual respect, and teamwork must serve as the foundation for all relationships.
Effective Communication – Leaders listen intently and communicate their safety vision with passion. They promote open two-way communication.

Crisis Leadership

In the program, Waldo shares principles he learned deployed in combat to help leaders:

Cultivate Courage and Resilience
Adapt to massive change and uncertainty
Collaborate with customers and co-workers
Sell and Lead under pressure

The program will not only inspire participants, but also to shift their mindset to find meaning in their mission and dig deep into what drives them to strap into their “cockpit” every day to serve their customers and families – even though there may be turbulence and headwinds.

The program incorporates content well beyond Waldo’s standard keynote and is a powerful way for leaders to keep themselves and their employees focused and mission ready.

Virtual presentations available

All 45-60 minute keynotes have the option of adding an additional 15-30 minute Q & A or Panel Session at no cost.
All attendees will receive a free audiobook download of my New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo
I’ll allow video recording of the program to be distributed to all attendees and those who weren’t able to make the program. $5K value
Everyone will have access to a free six-video leadership course on building courage and resilience in times of crisis called “Top Gun Resilience”

Waldo can offer his Top Gun Leadership Ace virtual program as a bundled item to the keynote (additional cost) – a 52 week video series designed to help you create a flight plan to adapt to change, commit to excellence and break performance barriers.

Value-Adds for additional ROI

All keynotes have the option of adding an additional 15-30-minute Q & A or Panel Session at no cost.
All attendees will receive a free audiobook download of Waldo’s New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller Never Fly Solo
Everyone will have access to a free, five-video leadership course on building courage and resilience in times of crisis called “Mission Ready” ($29 per attendee value)