Extreme Ownership: The Real Key to Executive Success (Replay)

“You go do your thing—I’ve got this.”

The words every CEO wants to hear. It means the job will get done – no excuses!.

That’s real ownership—not just doing tasks but taking full responsibility for results, owning the outcome. 

But can you teach that mindset?

In this episode, we get straight into extreme ownership—what it means, how it shows up in high-performing executives, and why it separates the top 5% from the rest. In today’s talent market, where every hire needs to be strategic, accountable, and fast-moving, ownership is non-negotiable.

 

We cover:

• Why ownership means relieving your boss of mental overhead
• How to move from reactive to proactive leadership
• What hiring managers really look for in executive candidates
• Why tracking activity (yes, still) matters
• How true leaders handle career and financial decisions
• How to recognize—and reject—blame culture

 

And yes, we take on the sacred cow of “relationship selling” and why it might be killing your sales team’s performance.

 

About Your Host

Craig Picken is an Executive Recruiter, writer, speaker and ICF Trained Executive Coach. He is focused on recruiting senior-level leadership, sales, and operations executives in the aviation and aerospace industry. His clients include premier OEMs, aircraft operators, leasing/financial organizations, and Maintenance/Repair/Overhaul (MRO) providers and since 2008, he has personally concluded more than 400 executive-level searches in a variety of disciplines. Craig is the ONLY industry executive recruiter who has professionally flown airplanes, sold airplanes, and successfully run a P&L in the aviation industry. His professional career started with a passion for airplanes. After eight years’ experience as a decorated Naval Flight Officer – with more than 100 combat missions, 2,000 hours of flight time, and 325 aircraft carrier landings – Craig sought challenges in business aviation, where he spent more than 7 years in sales with both Gulfstream Aircraft and Bombardier Business Aircraft. Craig is also a sought-after industry speaker who has presented at Corporate Jet Investor, International Aviation Women’s Association, and SOCAL Aviation Association. 

 

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