

Dave Berke
Retired Marine Corps fighter pilot and Top Gun instructor turned leadership coach at Echelon Front, known for writing about leadership lessons learned from combat, aviation, and business.
Top 10 podcasts with Dave Berke
Ranked by the Snipd community

32 snips
Feb 13, 2025 • 21min
The Debrief w/ Jocko and Dave Berke #32: Is The Minimum "Okay"?
Dave Berke, a leadership consultant with a rich military background, joins Jocko to tackle the contentious issue of minimum performance standards. They dissect the fine line between acceptable achievement and complacency, emphasizing the need for high aspirations. The conversation shifts to military promotions, blending personal anecdotes with career challenges. They also explore the dynamic interplay of individual strengths within teams, using examples from both military context and popular culture. Recognizing these dynamics can lead to more effective collaboration.

31 snips
Jul 24, 2019 • 2h 56min
187: Principles and Tactics with Creativity Dominates All. MCDP 1-3 Tactics, with Dave Berke
In this discussion, former Marine Corps fighter pilot Dave Berke shares insights from his extensive military career. He explores the significance of MCDP 1-3 Tactics, emphasizing leadership, creativity, and adaptability in high-pressure situations. Berke highlights the unpredictability of combat operations and the necessity of solid decision-making skills, comparing military strategy to mixed martial arts. He advocates for decentralized leadership that fosters initiative and discusses how life itself is a continuous campaign requiring ongoing effort and self-reflection.

29 snips
Apr 16, 2024 • 3h 2min
434: War Crimes, Murder, and Leadership.
In this discussion, USMC veteran Dave Berke recounts his firsthand experiences during the Battle of Ramadi, shedding light on the complexities of military operations and the importance of ethical leadership. He highlights the moral dilemmas faced by troops and the significance of building trust within local communities. The conversation delves into counterinsurgency challenges, the transformation of Ramadi, and the crucial role of cultural understanding in warfare. Berke's insights underscore the nuanced realities of combat and the strong bonds formed among service members.

27 snips
Oct 19, 2025 • 1h
658: Dave Berke - From Top Gun to Extreme Ownership: Managing Ego, Building Humility, Emotional Detachment, Agile Planning, and Leading Teams Through Chaos
Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former TOPGUN instructor, shares insights on leadership and humility from his unique journey. He recounts a crucial lesson from his TOPGUN graduation exercise about flexibility in planning. Berke emphasizes that true leadership involves managing ego and building trust within teams. He advocates for emotional detachment as a key to better decision-making and suggests that humility can be cultivated. Throughout, he encourages taking ownership and learning from failures to positively impact both teams and personal growth.

15 snips
Dec 8, 2025 • 1h
The Secret Power of Losing | Dave Berke
In this engaging discussion, Dave Berke, a retired Marine Corps fighter pilot and Top Gun instructor turned leadership coach, shares his unique insights on leadership and learning from failure. He emphasizes how losing can be a powerful teacher, encouraging humility and the importance of listening. Berke explores the detrimental effects of ego, the need for a culture of ownership, and how real mastery is about admitting mistakes rather than achieving perfection. His experiences reshape the meaning of success, highlighting leadership as a team-oriented endeavor.

15 snips
Oct 22, 2025 • 1h 17min
The Need to Lead
In this engaging discussion, Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former TOPGUN instructor, shares his fascinating journey from growing up near a Marine base to flying the F-35. He reveals how 80s pop culture inspired his pursuit of aviation and reflects on the transformative leadership lessons learned in combat, especially during intense missions in Ramadi. Dave emphasizes the importance of teamwork and adaptability in high-stress situations, making connections between military leadership and principles that can be applied in any organization.

13 snips
Jan 13, 2021 • 2h 19min
264: PAY ATTENTION. You're Competing All The Time. MCDP 1-4: Competing, with Dave Berke
In this engaging discussion, guest Dave Berke, an expert on Marine Corps doctrine, examines the intricate dynamics of competition in both military and organizational contexts. He emphasizes the need for adaptability in chaotic environments and the importance of aligning individual goals with team objectives. Berke also explores the psychological strains of competition, whether on the battlefield or in chess tournaments, and shares insights on fitness as a strategy for success. His perspective encourages listeners to embrace competition constructively to foster collaboration.

12 snips
Jan 20, 2021 • 2h 24min
265: Don't Get Beat by Not Knowing You're In a Competition, MCD 1-4, w/ Dave Berke. Pt.2
In this engaging discussion, Dave Berke, a leadership expert and former Marine, delves into the nuances of competition and its parallels in daily life. He highlights the art of influence in leadership, emphasizing relationship-building through active listening. The conversation touches on the power of storytelling in shaping perceptions and the balance between health and performance. Humorously, they reflect on distractions in communication, all while underscoring the competitive edge of American-made products and the importance of genuine care in the workplace.

7 snips
Jan 27, 2021 • 2h 10min
266: Pay Attention to What You're Paying Attention To. MCD 1-4, w/ Dave Berke. Pt.3
Joining the discussion is Dave Berke, a Marine Corps leadership expert and strategist. He dives into the psychological effects of competition, stressing balance and strategic focus over minor victories. Berke emphasizes the importance of humility in decision-making, comparing military tactics to effective leadership approaches. He also explores the evolution of aircraft carriers as tools of diplomacy and the dynamics of collaboration in military aviation. Personal anecdotes reinforce the value of accountability and continuous improvement in achieving long-term success.

6 snips
Nov 29, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Need to Lead (Without Ego) with Dave Berke
Dave Berke, a retired U.S. Marine Corps officer and former TOPGUN instructor, shares profound insights on leadership derived from his combat experiences and aviation career. He emphasizes the dangers of ego, illustrating how it undermines responsibility and relationships. Listeners will learn the importance of humility in high-pressure environments and how true leadership involves preparing others to thrive without you. With engaging anecdotes from his life, he underscores why developing empathy and listening skills are crucial for effective leadership.


