COMING SOON ON ALL MAJOR PODCAST PLATFORMS
What is this podcast all about
Hosted by Derek Oaks, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, fighter pilot, combat veteran, mentor, and leadership coach, Commander’s Intent is about the science of effective decision making. The art of leadership in a world where both are in short supply.
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If you’ve ever struggled with indecision, lack of confidence, or the frustration of spinning your wheels—wasting time, money, and energy—then Commander's Intent is for you.
Hosted by Derek Oaks, retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, fighter pilot, combat veteran, mentor, and leadership coach, Commander’s Intent is about mastering the art of decision-making and leadership in a world where both are in short supply. Across three decades of service—from combat missions to the Pentagon to the private sector—Derek has seen the best and worst of leadership. He’s made the hard calls, learned from costly mistakes, and discovered that better decisions always lead to better results.
Each week, Derek takes you step by step through practical lessons and real-world scenarios to help you:
- Gain clarity in the face of uncertainty
- Avoid the traps of indecision
- Build confidence under pressure to perform
- Lead yourself and others with passion, power and purpose
- Turn decisions into results that last
Why this podcast? Why now? Because leadership is the foundation of every culture, every business, and every community—and today’s uncertain, fast-changing world demands leaders who can decide and act with confidence.
This isn’t about jargon or theory. It’s about straight answers, hard-earned lessons, and proven strategies to help you grow as a leader and decision-maker in business, organizations, and life.
Win a $25K Private VIP Day with Derek
Each week, one listener who subscribes to Commander’s Intent and leaves a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts will be entered to win a Private VIP Leadership & Decision-Making Intensive with Derek Oaks—a personalized, high-impact experience valued at $25,000.
This exclusive full-day session is designed for entrepreneurs, executives, and leaders who are tired of indecision, lack of clarity, and wasted time, money, and energy. Derek will walk you step-by-step through the same leadership and decision-making frameworks he used as a U.S. Air Force Colonel, Pentagon executive, and mentor to high-performing teams around the world.
Whether you’re scaling a business, leading a team, or navigating life’s biggest decisions—this private day will give you the clarity, confidence, and strategy to move forward with purpose and create sustainable, long-term results.
Subscribe to Commander’s Intent and join Derek each week to sharpen your leadership,
strengthen your decision-making, and start creating the results you were meant for.
Joining is as easy as 1, 2, 3…
Meet Your Host
Meet The Voice Behind The Mic
DEREK OAKS
Keynote Speaker / AerospacE Department of Defense / Author / Fighter Pilot / Combat Veteran
Derek is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, senior executive, mentor, and fighter pilot combat veteran, with more than 30 years of leadership experience across defense, aviation, nonprofits, and business. Over his 24+ years in uniform, he commanded at every level, flew more than 5,200 hours in over 30 different aircraft, and guided teams through both peacetime challenges and combat operations. He’s also served in the Pentagon, where he managed billion-dollar defense programs, and later helped small businesses grow as a leadership consultant and business development leader.
But Derek will be the first to say: he’s no hero. Instead, he’s spent his life in the company of heroes—ordinary men and women willing to sacrifice for others. Inspired by their example, Derek built his career around three passions: people, purpose, and planes. Today, his mission is to help others unlock their potential, push their limits, and fill their lives with meaningful direction.
On the podcast, Derek shares practical lessons from the cockpit, the battlefield, and the boardroom—paired with honest stories of wins, mistakes, and moments of truth. His message is for leaders and followers alike: govern yourself, focus on what matters, and become a decisive, confident leader in every part of life.
When he’s not speaking, writing, or mentoring, Derek enjoys time with his wife Preot and their four children—always grounded by family and fueled by purpose.
Commander’s Intent isn’t just another leadership podcast—it’s a field manual for making better decisions and living a life that counts.
Are you ready for an exclusive VIP experience? Just post a review on iTunes or Apple Podcasts and you can win a $25K Private VIP Day with Derek!
Download my free guide:
A Simple Decision Clarity Checklist You Can Use Before Making Any Big Call
This one-page checklist walks you through the key questions to ask before making any big decision—so you can avoid costly mistakes and move forward with clarity.