Mar 22 2021 47 mins
On episode 4, I spoke with Jason Blankfield, CEO and founder of Frontline Leadership. Prior to enlisting in the IDF, Jason describes himself as a passive observer of a life that had been chosen for him. When Jason graduated from University, he felt strongly that he needed to deviate from that path. As he looked at a map of the world, a single country jumped out at him. Within several days, he had booked a one way ticket to Israel.
Two years later, Jason was an active duty, search and rescue commando. Whenever the alarm sounded, Jason and this team had 15 minutes to be airborne. Along the way, they were fed information, and in teams of 5, including a doctor and a combat medic, they faced whatever challenges confronted them. They were trained in emergency medicine, parachuting, counter-terrorism, scuba-diving, evasion, and many other skills.
We spoke about the uncertainty that search and rescue commandos face heading into unknown circumstances, which was reflected in their training; Jason was never told when he would be off base, when and for how long they would march, or when a drill was going to end. Their training was designed to create soldiers that were ready for anything.
We dove into personal questions of sacrifice, growth, and accountability. We touched on the idea that the people around you create a space for the person they believe you to be - and who you might have once been. When you change, it is difficult to fit back into the box that people once put you in. When Jason changed from a pessimist who believed the deck of life was stacked against him, to someone who took accountability for all things in his life, he knew he couldn't tell people he had changed. He had to show them that things were different. His team ultimately gave him the space to make that shift.
In his civilian career, Jason works with businesses and puts them through experiences that allow them to understand what the military taught us - that greatness is not possible without commitment, trust, and a cohesive team. He shows businesses and leaders what's possible when they collaborate at a different level, and overcome the mental barriers that prevent them from achieving their potential.