Welcome to How Leaders Lead, where every week you get to listen in while I interview some of the very best leaders in the world.

I break down the key learning so that by the end of the episode, you'll have something simple you can apply as you develop into a better leader.

That's what this podcast is all about.

Today's guest is Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney,

a highly decorated Air Force fighter pilot, and the founder and CEO of Folds of Honor. Now,

Folds of Honor is an amazing nonprofit that gives scholarships to family members whose loved

ones have died or become disabled while serving in the armed forces.

And get this, they just expanded their mission to include first responders as well.

You know, Dan is just the perfect person for us to talk to this week, as we're reflecting on

Veterans Day and all the incredible sacrifices our military servicemen

and women have made for our freedom. Dan's got the kind of leadership wisdom you can only earn

when you're flying through a dust storm in Iraq going a thousand miles an hour with the wing

of your aircraft literally six inches away from your buddies. I mean, the stakes are

high and the challenges are nonstop. But hey, that's where great leaders shine. We're defined by how we

respond when we face tough moments. In this conversation, Dan shares how we can actually be

ready for those difficult times, embrace

them, and come through them even stronger. So here's my conversation with my good friend,

and soon to be yours, Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney. Dan, you're a fighter pilot, so I got to ask you this before we get started.

Have you seen the sequel to Top Gun? Have you seen Maverick?

So I've never had more interview requests in my life than since this movie has come out.

Yes, I have seen Top Gun 2. And it's an extraordinary movie.

Have you seen it?

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