Errol Doebler’s Post

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CEO of IceColdLeader | Former Navy SEAL and FBI Agent | Author of Ice Cold Leader, Leading from the Inside Out | Columnist for The Aspen Daily News

Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training, aka “BUD/S,” is considered the most difficult military training in the world. What I experienced during BUD/S class 193 was no exception: The first test was a 50-meter underwater swim. I never successfully completed the underwater swim during the practice sessions. I now had two options: Pass and continue on, or fail and pack my bags. My mind was racing. Why would today, test day, be different than all the practice sessions I failed? I’ll never forget the feeling of calm that came over me when I made my decision on how I would approach the test. “I’m not coming up for air no matter what. If I pass out underwater, so be it; I trust the instructors will do their job and save me. I’m just not going to come up for air until the end of the 50 meters.” This was my edge. I completed that test but then came Hell Week, the hardest week of the hardest military training in the world. Constant motion and limited sleep for five days. (For context, the instructors told my class at the completion of Hell Week that we had about three hours of sleep. Not three hours a night. Three hours total.) My fear was that I would become delirious from sleep deprivation and unknowingly or unconsciously quit. About 10 minutes before I had to join my classmates, it came to me. I was an officer in the United States Navy. I was the leader of a group of men about to undergo the challenge of their lives. “Stop thinking about yourself!” I screamed to myself. “You feel afraid but someone else is feeling the same way. Find that person and help them! Lead them! Stop focusing on yourself. Focus on leading the men!” And that was it for me. Once again, I had found my edge and it led me to become one of the remaining 10 to compete Hell Week. Your edge does not have to come from something daunting like completing BUD/S training. This is just an example. Your edge can be something simple like being more patient, showing more kindness, becoming a better listener, or whatever is most important to you at this stage of your life. It is your search for your edge that will separate the next-level you from the current you. Now go find it. 💥🫵🏼

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David Hazlett

Intuitive Lateral Thinking Lawyer and Engineer who negotiates resolutions

9mo

In some circumstances, every edge you find merely exposes a new edge!?

Jeff Critser

Cybersecurity Leader and Veteran of US Naval Aviation

9mo

When I was at the VS-41 RAG (now FRS) in Coronado, I watched the BUD/S boat teams going in and out of the surf constantly. Some were barely able to walk, but they hung in there and bucked each other up and kept moving forward. Absolutely amazing to see!

Dustin Brown

Global Sales Leader | GTM Coach & Advisor

9mo

Timely

James Foradas

Interdisciplinary Scientist and Educator.

9mo

Thanks for the pep talk.

Kevin McShane, M.B.A.

4X PE-backed Chief Revenue Officer | Led 9+ port-co's through acceleration and scale phase to successful exits | AI Applications for Growth Program Certified at the Kellogg School of Management Northwestern University

9mo

Errol Doebler incredible insight that is so very applicable to so many regardless of career or industry! Thank you for sharing!

Robert Vaughan, CIMA®

Retirement Planning Strategies | Wealth Management | Equity Plan Administration | Financial Wellness Programs

9mo

Nice work Errol Doebler

Richard W. Stodulski Jr

President and Founder at 1812ada Incorporated

9mo

Well said and WELL DONE!

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