Jimmy Blackmon
- Managing Partner at Exactus Advisor
- Among the Most Combat-Experienced Leaders of the Modern Era
Travels From
District of Columbia
Jimmy Blackmon Speaker Biography
Jimmy Blackmon is among the most combat-experienced leaders of the modern era. He has led high-risk missions all over the world including serving as the air mission commander on the operation that netted #2 and #3 in the famous Iraqi most wanted list.
Amazingly, Jimmy also served as the aviation commander during the battles in which four Congressional Medals of Honor were earned in Afghanistan – in the very valleys where the attacks of 9-11 were planned and rehearsed. Having achieved impressive results, Jimmy understands how to navigate the complexities of the 21st Century. His ability to develop an organizational strategy, build living systems and processes that enable organizations to thrive with speed and agility in the modern era, and build cohesive teams driven by vision and purpose are unparalleled.
Jimmy is three-time archery world champion. He made a U.S. Armed Forces World Cross Country Team and has run a 2:33 marathon. Some of Jimmy’s awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, four Bronze Star Medals, four Air Medals, and he is a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award. Jimmy has the combat action badge, the Ranger tab, the airborne and air assault badges, and he is a Master Army Aviator.
Jimmy holds a Bachelors of Arts in History from North Georgia College, a Master of Science in Education from Old Dominion University and a Masters in National Security Strategy from the National War College in Washington D.C. Jimmy is the author of four books, SOUTHERN ROOTS, a memoir of growing up in the South, PALE HORSE – Hunting Terrorists and Commanding Heroes with the 101st Airborne Division, COWBOYS OVER IRAQ: Leadership from the Saddle, and RANGER SCHOOL – Discipline, Direction, Determination.
Jimmy concluded his military service on the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. where he led a select team of Department of Defense strategists as they developed plans, policy, and strategic posture for our nation’s most complex global problems.
Today, Jimmy is a managing partner at Exactus Advisors – a Chicago-based consulting firm, and he travels the world speaking about leadership, strategy, organizational culture, and navigating the complexities of the 21st Century.
Leadership for the 21st Century
Management is about systems and processes. Leadership is about inspiring human beings.
Have you always wanted to invest and train your leaders, but you simply have not found the time to develop a program? The full-day option of Leadership for the 21st Century is perfect for you.
Jimmy Blackmon has led soldiers for over 30 years, culminating as a Brigade Commander in the famed 101st Airborne Division, where he led over 3,500 of America’s sons and daughters in Afghanistan. Jimmy is oft-quoted as saying, “No matter how technologically advanced we become, life is and always will be about people and relationships. In this presentation, Jimmy shows the power of inspiration that only comes when leaders genuinely connect with those they lead.
Military Program
All units have a unique culture
This program centers on the idea that all units have a unique culture. Effective leaders understand the power of shaping organizational culture in order to manifest their vision.
The be successful in the 21st Century operational environment organizations must embody trust, empowerment, speed, innovation, initiative, agility, and speed. Only when units possess these traits can leaders enjoy the full potential of mission command – a disciplined initiative based on the commander’s intent.
Leveraging Holistic Strategic Planning: Founding Story, Vision, Mission and Values
In these popular ½-day or full-day programs, Jimmy shares the importance of holistic strategic planning and the leadership behaviors necessary to truly leverage the plan. Through colorful real-life examples, Jimmy not only demonstrates the power of the founding story, vision, mission, and values, but he explains how to use those documents to create a meaningful strategy, define goals and objectives, and most importantly, how to assess, evaluate, and adjust quarterly in order to achieve success. Jimmy will ensure that your leadership teams leave with a thorough understanding of the mechanics of strategic planning at the organizational level.
The second portion of this program focuses on leader behaviors, prioritization, and living a balanced life.
Vision, Culture, Climate, and the Leadership that Binds Them
Leaders must employ a systematic approach to gain the trust and buy-in of their employees
In the summer of 2008, Jimmy traveled to Afghanistan to visit the company that his organization would be replacing six months later. While there the Battle of Wanat took place. Of the forty-eight American soldiers at Wanat, twenty-seven were wounded and nine were tragically killed. A Medal of Honor was earned. As a leader observing the battle, Jimmy felt the weight of responsibility like never before. He was the new leader of a new team and Eastern Afghanistan would be his problem in a few short months. He kept asking himself over and over, “Are my soldiers prepared for this? Have I done everything I can to prepare them well enough for this?”
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March 31, 2022