When I was a Master Parachutist in the 82nd Airborne Division, I had the privilege—and the responsibility—of leading paratroopers during critical airborne operations. There were times when I served as the Primary Jumpmaster on a parachute operation. That meant I oversaw the entire jump, ensuring everything went smoothly and safely for all the paratroopers onboard.
As the Primary Jumpmaster, I controlled one of the two doors on the aircraft. My jumpers were always the first to exit. The Secondary Jumpmaster managed the other door, and their jumpers followed mine. Meanwhile, the other two Jumpmasters, called Safeties, stayed on the plane. They didn’t jump—they managed the line of paratroopers, inspecting equipment and making sure everyone was ready before stepping out at 800 feet.
Preparation was everything. Before every jump, we conducted pre-jump training, walking through the process step-by-step. We gave commands like “Stand up!” and “Check equipment!” and double-checked every harness, parachute, and reserve. Every detail mattered because there was no room for error once the plane was in the air.
As we approached the drop zone at 800 feet, I stood at my door, scanning the conditions and making the final call. The Secondary Jumpmaster prepared their door, but the green light by my door always came on first. When that light turned green, it was game time. I gave the command, “Go!” and watched as my paratroopers launched into the sky. The Secondary Jumpmaster’s jumpers followed shortly after.
That moment wasn’t about thinking anymore. It was about trust—trust in the preparation we’d done, trust in the process, and trust in myself to lead. There’s no more planning or debating when the green light comes on. It’s time to act.
Life is full of disruptions—whether it’s stepping into the unknown at 800 feet or navigating unexpected challenges in your career, relationships, or goals. These moments, while intimidating, are also opportunities to grow, adapt, and move closer to what truly matters.
Being a positive disruptor means embracing this balance. It’s knowing when to prepare, gather input, and think things through—and when to act. The most successful disruptors—the ones who create their good lives, great teams, or amazing organizations—know how to harness disruption, trust their preparation, and jump when the time is right.
Disruption often feels like chaos, but it can also be the push you need to grow. You’ve done the work. You’re ready. The only thing left is to trust yourself and take the leap.
For 2 ½ years, I led the Disruption Projectat Vanderbilt University, where my team and I studied positive disruptors around the world—from household names to unsung heroes. This research identified the Disruptive Loop, 5 Disruptive Roles, 16 Key Behaviors, and 5 Levels of Impact.
I’ve turned these insights into a compelling work session to inspire leaders, teams, and organizations to embrace disruption and jump at the right time. If you’d like to learn more or schedule an event, contact my agent, Canesha Appleton.
Make it a great day!
Patrick
#leader #airborne #disruption
