JV Venable - Breaking the Trust Barrier: How Leaders Close the Gaps for High Performance

As a leader in situations that are literally life-or-death, JV brings street cred to the challenge of leading high-performance teams. His examples come from the physics of close-formation aerial maneuvers and the incredibly small tolerances that make the difference between good and extraordinary. With quiet humor and humility, he uses those stories to offer insight and actionable advice leader to leader.

Mark E. White, Principal, Global Consulting Chief Technology Officer, Deloitte Consulting, LLP

JV does an amazing job of sharing powerful real-life examples that we can implement in our organizations. A fascinating read that delivers a message so powerful yet practical. This book should be required reading for all leaders looking to take their teams to new heights!

Bob Korzeniewski, Executive Vice President for Strategic Development, Verisign Inc., 2000-2007

Even though this was written by the competition, I found Breaking the Trust Barrier to be a great read. JV delivers a powerful message in a way that will stay with you and your team for years to come. Drafting is not just a process for building and leading high-performance teams; its a pathway to success.

Rob Ice Ffield, Blue Angels Flight Leader/Commanding Officer, 20012002, and President and CEO, CATSHOT Group, LLC

Breaking the Trust Barrier is a leaders must-read! JV masterfully combines his Air Force experiences with thoughtful insights from commanding the world-famous Thunderbirds to create a road map for building real trust. He talks so honestly about commitment, loyalty, and trust that his message easily translates to any business or leadership environment. I honestly cant wait to apply much of what I have read with my own team.

Dennis M. Satyshur, Director of Golf Operations, Caves Valley Golf Club

JV clearly articulates the key to his success leading multiple organizations and gives readers a glimpse of the challenge, excitement, and emotion of leading a high-performance jet demonstration team. I followed JV in command of the Thunderbirds and was able to build on the principles he established. Leaders at all levels will find this book inspiring, practical, and helpful in accelerating their leadership skills.

Richard Spad McSpadden, Commander/Leader, USAF Thunderbirds, 20022004, and Senior Director, Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Multiple commands and his stint as the lead pilot of the USAF Thunderbirds have given Colonel JV Venable powerful insights that he has captured in Breaking the Trust Barrier. His imagery will sear the themes of this book in your memory. His conception of trust is striking, memorable, and entirely new to the literature of leadership.

Dr. Charles Ping, President Emeritus, Ohio University

Captivating stories within Breaking the Trust Barrier make the process youll find inside absolutely indelible. This is an inspiring book and, if youre like me, youll start putting JVs techniques to work the moment you set it down. Whether youre a senior executive or just getting your footing as a leader, this is a must-read!

Linda Chambliss, Vice President, Global Account Operations, STARTEK

Breaking the Trust Barrier

How Leaders Close the Gaps for High Performance

JV Venable

Breaking the Trust Barrier

Copyright 2016 by John Venable

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First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-62656-610-1
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-611-8
IDPF e-book ISBN 978-1-62656-612-5

2016-1

Cover design by Dan Tesser; cover and title page photo by Staff Sergeant Kristi Machayo, USAF Thunderbirds. Interior design, illustration, and composition by Gary Palmatier, Ideas to Images. Elizabeth von Radics, copyeditor; Mike Mollett, proofreader; Rachel Rice, indexer.

This book is dedicated to the men and women
of the US Air Force Thunderbirds of 2000 and 2001.

You served as an inspiration to millions
of Americans during our time on the team,
and you still do that for me today.

CHAPTER 1
Draft Your Team to Trust

CHAPTER 2
Close the Traction Gap

CHAPTER 3
Close the Engagement Gap

CHAPTER 4
Plow the Path

CHAPTER 5
Close the Passion Gap

CHAPTER 6
Close the Confidence Gap

CHAPTER 7
Close the Respect Gap

CHAPTER 8
Close the Integrity Gap

CHAPTER 9
Close the Principle Gap

CHAPTER 10
Close the Empowerment Gap

Robert L. Jolles

Bestselling author of
Customer Centered Selling

J V Venable is a born leader. Youd sense it if you ever stood near him. Youd know it if you ever heard him speak. Youd feel it if you ever shook his hand. His backstory is inspiring, and his accomplishments are amazing, but can a born leader like JV teach you to lead others?

Many leaders have been dogged by this same question. After all, if these skills are so innate, can they be consciously laid out in a process for others to learn and apply? Typically, those who are blessed with natural skills struggle to teach others the skills they so effortlessly command. This is because the skills that come so naturally are ones they have never really had to stop and assess.