Episode 209: Jason Redman – The Power Of Humility: From A Wounded Navy SEAL

Jason “Jay” Redman’s  military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Valor, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (five awards), Combat Action Ribbon (two awards) US Army Ranger Tab and numerous service awards.

On September 13, 2007 while acting as Assault Force Commander on an operation to capture an Al Qaeda High Value Individual LT Redman’s Assault Team came under heavy machine gun and small arms fire and he along with two other Teammates were wounded in the ensuing firefight.  Despite being shot twice in the arm and once in the face, as well as multiple rounds to his helmet, Night Vision Goggles, body armor, and weapon, Jason and his Team fought valiantly winning the fight, ensuring everyone came home alive.

Jay is the author of “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader.”  His book details lessons learned in leadership and overcoming adversity throughout his SEAL career while also discussing his combat deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq as well as his personal journey with his wife Erica and their three children.  The Trident was selected in 2014 as part of the Chief of Naval Operation’s professional reading program.

*Photo from sofspoken.com

Episode 209: Jason Redman – The Power Of Humility: From A Wounded Navy SEAL

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The Learning Leader Show

“If you’re facing death, you won’t be thinking about material things.”

The sign Jay put up outside his door in the hospital after being shot in the face and the arm:

“Attention to all who enter here. If you are coming into this room with sorrow or to feel sorry for my wounds, go elsewhere. The wounds I received I got in a job I love, doing it for people I love, supporting the freedom of a country I deeply love. I am incredibly tough and will make a full recovery. What is full? That is the absolute utmost physically my body has the ability to recover. Then I will push that about 20 percent further through sheer mental tenacity. This room you are about to enter is a room of fun, optimism, and intense rapid regrowth. If you are not prepared for that, go elsewhere.”

Show Notes:

  • Sustained Excellence = Humility… Re-learning how to humble yourself.  Arrogance can ruin you
  • The story of Jay being “ripped in to” by a leader after he made a mistake that could have costs lives… And how that impacted him
  • “Great leaders take a step back… To analyze what happened”
  • “There are no bad teams, just bad leaders”
  • “You have to allow the situation around you to develop before making a decision”
  • How Ranger school helped him stop being selfish, humbled him.
    • Forced to lead in adverse situations, and stop thinking about just himself
  • Story: “I am bleeding out. I can feel my life ebbing away as blood seeps from my body into the Iraqi soil…”
  • “I was hit in the face and my left arm…”
  • How the preparation and training saved his life
  • “If facing death, you won’t be thinking about material things”
  • The sign Jay hung up outside his hospital room
  • The Key Tenants
    • Lead Always
    • Overcome All
  • “That journey in the hospital taught me… If you are a leader, lead always”
  • Building mental resiliency, must build an overcome mindset
  • “The woman behind The Trident” — How his wife Erica acted was heroic (and still is)
    • “She never batted an eye”
    • “When they sent me home, I was a mess, and Erica cared for me.  She was never negative, never questioned me for going to war.”
  • The greatest natural leader Jay ever met — Vince Peterson
    • He always led by example, would never ask you to do something he wouldn’t do
    • He lost his leg below his knee
    • “Selfless, servant leader, humble” — Motivated and inspired you to be better
    • Always remained calculated — Had the ability to drive the team where it needed to go
    • Took ideas from members of the team, dynamic leadership at it’s best
  • Listen as Jay describes how Dave Michaels was shot 27 times, fought back… And then said, “Come get me… They’re all dead.”
  • The Overcome Academy
    • A way for us to give back to veterans
  • www.OvercomeAcademy.org

“If you’re going to be a leader, you have to lead always.”

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Episode edited by the great J Scott Donnell

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